Archived Version: November 7, 2006
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Tri-City Herald
Endorsements
State Supreme Court: For Owens
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 — The remaining state Supreme Court race brings another pair of qualified candidates, making voting more challenging but assuring the state's tough legal decisions will be in capable hands.
Both candidates are lawyers with decades of experience. One already sits on the Supreme Court; the other is a state senator.
But incumbent Susan Owens has something challenger Stephen Johnson does not: Experience as a judge.
She spent nearly two decades as a district court judge in Clallam County before being elected to an open seat on the state Supreme Court six years ago, once even holding court by kerosene lantern when the power was out.
Experience on the bench is an advantage to anyone hoping to be a competent state Supreme Court justice.
The depth of knowledge that comes from presiding over the lower courts is the best background for the state's highest court.
And while Johnson has been a lawmaker during his 12 years as senator and has 30 years experience practicing law in Washington, he has no experience as a judge.
Make no mistake, Johnson isn't the right wing extremist that some of his critics paint him to be.
That's not his reputation in the Legislature and it's not a position that earned him endorsements from leading Democrats like Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and state Auditor Brian Sonntag.
And Owens isn't the activist judge that she's being labeled. Ultimately, the argument centers around a few unpopular decisions, including a couple of rulings that we think were misguided.
But in each case, the majority based its decision on interpretations of the law, not a desire to legislate from the bench.
That's what we elect Supreme Court justices to do.
Owens brings a solid and direct voice to the bench and merits another term as a state Supreme Court justice.
The Herald recommends Susan Owens.
State Supreme Court: Alexander, Chambers
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 — Supreme Court races are some of the toughest for voters to decide.
The issues are often technical, the candidates largely unknown outside of legal circles and the debate is constrained by rules of conduct.
Three of the state's nine Supreme Court justices are up for re-election this year, and two of the contests offer straightforward choices that will be decided in the primary.
Unfortunately, some apparent tomfoolery in a third race is not only making the voters' job more difficult, but is also likely to push the real decision into the general election.
The problem is the raft of candidates that emerged to challenge Justice Susan Owens for Position 2. Two challengers share the same last name and a third has a similarly common -- but not identical -- moniker. A fourth just seems to be taking up space on the ballot.
The whole fiasco has state Sen. Steve Johnson alleging that dirty tricksters are hoping to divide the votes against Owens enough to force a run-off in November.
Because this race is likely to be decided in the general election, we're withholding our recommendation for now. However, we know which two candidates we're hoping will survive the primary -- Justice Susan Owens and Sen. Steve Johnson.
The others running for Position 2 are unqualified, invisible or both.
The contest for Position 8 presents a different challenge for voters. In this case, the two candidates are qualified for the job and serious about winning.
The challenger, attorney John Groen, will appeal to Mid-Columbia voters. He's personable, smart and conservative, with roots in the Tri-Cities. His background in property rights matches Eastern Washington sensibilities.
If Groen -- Kennewick High School Class of 1977 -- was running against a different candidate, chances are he'd get the Herald editorial board's recommendation.
But while Groen's barbs about an activist court include some valid points, Chief Justice Gerry Alexander isn't the appropriate target.
Alexander's long and distinguished career -- 12 years on the Supreme Court, 10 years on the Court of Appeals and 11 years on the Superior Court for Thurston and Mason counties -- have proved he's moderate and fair.
The depth and breadth of support for Alexander is probably the best testament to his qualifications.
The honorary co-chairs of his re-election campaign are former Republican Gov. Dan Evans, former Democratic Gov. Booth Gardner and six retired state Supreme Court justices.
The long list of individual endorsements includes the names of some of Washington's most respected politicians from both parties and from jurists serving at every level of the court system.
Endorsements from organizations include the Washington Democratic Party and the Mainstream Republicans; the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Labor Council.
We agree with that diverse array of interests -- experience and judicial temperament make Alexander the better choice.
The race for Supreme Court Position 9 was an easier decision. Justice Tom Chambers is the clear choice.
Challenger Jeannette Burrage doesn't impress us as an ogre, despite attempts by her critics to cast her in that light. But it's telling that the King County Bar Association, where Burrage served as a Superior Court judge, rates her as "not qualified."
That's partly political -- Burrage is far more conservative than most King County lawyers -- but the negative rating can't be dismissed as strictly partisan. Too many other conservatives get better ratings.
It's telling that Burrage was motivated to run against Chambers after he ruled with the minority in the court's recent 5-4 decision to uphold the state Defense of Marriage Act. It's likely that he'd be running unopposed if he'd ruled with the majority.
But regardless of where you stand on gay marriage, it's a mistake to characterize Chambers as an activist, liberal judge.
On property rights issues, he's sided with landowners over government interests often enough to earn the support of Washington Association of Realtors and the Building Industry Association of Washington.
His rulings reveal an independence from ideology, which is a highly desirable trait in a Supreme Court justice. We're not convinced Burrage can be equally impartial.
The Herald editorial board recommends voters elect Gerry Alexander and Tom Chambers to the state Supreme Court.
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