Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Endorsements

Judicial endorsements: Pick these three

Monday, September 29, 2008 — King County voters can put on their most judicious demeanors as the November general election approaches. They have choices to make for Superior Court judges.

The primary voting determined the outcomes for state Supreme Court races and three King County Superior Court positions, where candidates received the required majority.

But voters still will face contests for three other Superior Court bench seats.

For Position 1, Tim Bradshaw is an excellent choice on the basis of his depth of experience in criminal law, prosecuting major cases in the courtroom. Bradshaw is senior deputy prosecutor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's office. He is highly regarded by others, winning impressive ratings from legal and citizens' groups studying the candidates. His well-regarded opponent is Assistant State Attorney General Suzanne Parisien.

In the contest for Position 22, we like Julia Garratt, whom we also endorsed in a 2004 race. Garratt has been serving as a juvenile court commissioner and has significant experience serving as a pro-tem judge. Her opponent is Holly Hill, who is also well qualified and dedicated. Indeed, the primary field for Position 10 was so rich that we endorsed Rebeccah Graham, who finished third.

For Position 37, Jean Rietschel is the choice on the basis of experience and a record of firm but fair handling of cases as a municipal court judge for 12 years. Rietschel received exceptional ratings. Barbara Mack, her opponent, is a King County senior deputy prosecuting attorney and also impressively well qualified.

We are not fond of electing judges. But King County voters have choices that would be hard to complain about

VotingforJudges.org, P.O. Box 1460, Silverdale, WA  98383
Write to [email protected].

As the election approaches, Votingforjudges.org will include ratings and endorsements from numerous organizations. We provide this information so that voters will be better informed about the candidates. We do not rate or endorse any candidates; the ratings and endorsements of organizations included at this site reflect the views of those individual organizations and not necessarily the views of votingforjudges.org or its sponsors.