Meek

MEMORANDUM *

Appellant Donald L. Meek (“Meek”) appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Appellees Albert J. Wojcik (“Wojcik”) and Rodney Walker *69 (“Walker”), two Riverside County Municipal Court Judges.

Meek was appointed as a Commissioner of the Municipal Court of Riverside County. As Commissioner, Meek adjudicated county code enforcement and small claims cases; conducted arraignments, pretrial and preliminary hearings; and presided at civil and criminal trials as a judge pro tern. After Wojcik and Walker voted to terminate Meek as Riverside County Municipal Commissioner (“Commissioner”), Presiding Judge Hinman gave Meek the options of resigning, retiring, or being terminated. Meek decided to retire, and brought a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging deprivation of his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

Appellees did not violate Meek’s First Amendment rights to campaign for public office when they voted to terminate him. The nature of Meek’s responsibilities, and terms of his employment conferred upon him the status of policymaker. See Walker v. City of Lakewood, 272 F.3d 1114, 1132 (9th Cir.2001). In turn, Meek’s status as a policymaker and…