Judicial candidates,
State Supreme Court
The State Supreme Court is the final arbiter of the law in
Washington. As such, it is terribly important to have good people on the bench.
There are 3 positions up for election this year, and because they are
non-partisan and there are only 2 candidates for 2 of the 3 positions, this
will be your only chance to vote for those 2 positions. I find it interesting
that people with fairly specific (right wing) agendas complain that the court
has become too political and they intend to correct that. Right.
Supreme Court –
position 1
Appointed 5-1-14, previously a King County trial court
judge. She is a 1st in many ways: 1st in her family to
attend college, 1st Asian Supreme Court justice; 1st
woman of color on Supreme Court; 1st member of LGBT community on
court.
rated ‘exceptionally well qualified’ by a number of bar
associations. “Reads everything.” “She has a passion for justice. Is able to
communicate with people at all levels.”, “conscientious, hard working, views
her job with missionary zeal.” “able to motivate others around her to do their
best.”
Endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters.
“Professor DeWolf is one of our state’s most respected
constitutional scholars, and is Washington’s leading authority in both contract
and tort (liability) law. His books on tort and contract law have been cited
over 100 times in Washington appellate cases as an authority on Washington law.
David
realized that he had a unique opportunity to combine several things he loved –
immersing himself more deeply in the law of our state, writing accurately and
clearly about it, and serving the people of this State.”
Senior
fellow at the conservative Discovery Institute. Author of a Creation Science
book on “Intelligent Design.”
Well, this one is an easy no-brainer. Mr DeWolfe writes books about “Intelligent Design.” I
don’t think he will be particularly neutral on the court. The incumbent is
supported by just about all of her co-justices and Washington Conservation
Voters.
I’ll be voting for Mary Yu.
Supreme Court –
position 5
Statement:
Chief Justice Barbara Madsen has the experience,
leadership, and courage necessary to protect the liberties guaranteed all
citizens. Whether it's school funding or a neighborhood dispute, Barbara believes everyone is equal under the law.
Balanced
Experience: A 1977 Gonzaga Law School graduate, Barbara
has practiced in Eastern and Western Washington and has served as both a
defense attorney and prosecutor. To help protect our most vulnerable, as
Special Prosecutor she developed Seattle's Family Violence Project child abuse
unit. A working mother and proud grandmother, Barbara
has a balanced, common sense perspective on issues profoundly affecting
people's lives.
Proven
Leadership: After joining the Supreme Court, Barbara
helped establish the Access to Justice Board and Commissions on Minority and
Justice, Gender and Justice, Interpreter Services, and Children in Foster Care.
Her endorsements include Democrats, Republicans, business, labor, and community
groups--proof of her commitment to individual rights and holding the judicial
system accountable to all.
Courage:
We need the strong, honest, and compassionate voice of Chief
Justice Madsen requiring the state meet its paramount duty to educate
our children, leading access to justice initiatives, and breaking down barriers
to re-entry after incarceration. She will protect our most precious liberties.
We all know our state Supreme Court has become too political. Law enforcement knows that the court is also too unpredictable, often changing the rules that prosecutors rely on to fairly and effectively fight crime. Zempel promises a court that is “less political, more predictable.”
The court has no one with major criminal prosecution experience – a serious omission because criminal law makes up a majority of the court’s cases. Adding a prosecutor to the court will make our state safer. The court has only one member from eastern Washington, and no one with county government experience. Electing Greg Zempel to the court will add much needed diversity to a court that simply doesn’t reflect our state.
He is a Republican Kittitas County prosecutor.
So, we’ve got a highly competent, well respected incumbent
being challenged by your classic right-wing prosecutor. That classic phrase
about needing ‘diversity’ on the court translates to: no one is pushing his
agenda.
I will happily vote for
Barbara Madsen.
Supreme Court –
position 6
Quoting from his website:
- Wrote 110 opinions from 2011 through 2015
- Heard argument and participated in deciding over 500 cases
- Considered and voted to grant or deny review in 5000-6000 Cases
- In recognition of careful and scholarly analysis, invited to join the prestigious American Law Institute, which is responsible for developing the oft-cited Restatements of the Law, as well as Principles of Law and model codes
- Received the Herbert Harley Award from the American Judicature Society for promoting the effective administration of justice
- Speaker at 30 seminars and conferences since becoming a justice
- Speaker to numerous community groups, service clubs, and student groups
- Chair of Task Force to Update the Civil Legal Needs Study, resulting in a comprehensive study of the unmet legal needs of limited income residents throughout the state
- Chair of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial of the Temple of Justice, which organized commemorative events and launched a project to complete the vision of the original architects of the final details of the Temple
- Chair of the Discipline Attorney Round Table, which studies improvements needed in the administration of the lawyer discipline system
- Member of the Supreme Court Rules Committee, which recommends rule adoptions and changes to the full Supreme Court
- Member of the Supreme Court Budget Committee, which develops the Court’s budget
- Member of the Appellate Education Committee, which plans the annual appellate court conference
He is supported by people I respect, such as the
publisher of Yes! magazine, and several retired Supreme Court judges.
Endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters.
https://www.larsonforjustice.org/
“Our state Supreme Court should
be the most respected institution in our state government, unfortunately it’s
become far too political and needs to return to being a neutral and respected
defender of the law and constitution. This will be my first priority as your
Justice.”
Judging from his campaign donors,
he’s rather conservative politically. In fact, he’s endorsed by the state
Republican party. And there’s that telltale “the court has become too
political.”
I went to the trouble of reading some OF Justice Wiggins’
decisions (the things I do for this blog) and the man writes exceedingly well
and clearly. While I may not have agreed with all of his decisions, I see how
he came to the conclusions he did. I’m happy to continue on this positive path
and
I will be voting for Charlie Wiggins.
Island County
Superior Court
judge, position 1
Alan Hancock
I have
participated in cases before Judge Hancock and
have found him to be a deeply thoughtful scholar. He’s running unopposed, but
deserves a vote of confidence nevertheless.
judge, position 2
Vickie Churchill
She is
running unopposed, so no need to say any more.
Thank you so much, Marianne!
ReplyDeleteI'd be lost without your analysis, even when I don't necessarily agree. Thanks for all your great work.
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