General Election: November 3, 2009
An information resource for Washington voters
Tracy Staab
Spokane Municipal Court
Position One
Current Occupation/Employer: Spokane Municipal Court Judge
Legal/Judicial Experience: Appointed as one of Spokane’s first municipal court judges (2008); 16 years practicing law including experience as an appellate attorney for the Federal Defenders and Spokane City Public Defenders. Prior experience as a city prosecutor, civil attorney, and judicial law clerk at the Court of Appeals.
Significant Career Experience: I have been lead counsel on over 100 appeals including more than 80 cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and dozens of petitions to the United States Supreme Court.
Education: Western Washington University, B.A. Paralegal Studies (1990); Seattle University School of Law, J.D. cum laude (1993).
Candidate Statement: Judge Tracy Staab is running for election because she is passionate about Spokane’s new municipal court. Her commitment to ensuring fair hearings, the protection of rights, and accountability make Judge Staab the best choice for Spokane.
Tracy Staab was appointed to the bench by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council because she is the most qualified candidate for this position. Her appointment is the culmination of an exceptional career marked by hard work and a dedication to justice. As a former prosecutor and defense attorney, Judge Staab is the only candidate to have experience from both sides of the courtroom. A frequent lecturer and guest speaker, Judge Staab was recognized as one of Spokane’s Top Lawyers in the 2008 Spokane Living Magazine.
Since her appointment to the bench, Judge Staab has worked diligently to fulfill the promise of a new court. New programs and procedures designed to resolve cases quickly and reduce costs have been implemented as well as alternatives to sentencing that not only reduce recidivism, but reinvest in the community.
Tracy Staab’s leadership, knowledge of the law, and service to Spokane are reflected in her broad-based endorsements from every sector of the legal community. Her endorsements include numerous judges, the County Prosecutor and Public Defender, Anne Kirkpatrick, Breean Beggs, the Fraternal Order of Police, Spokane Regional Labor Council, and many more attorneys, law enforcement, unions, and civic leaders. For more information and a complete list of endorsements, please see www.JudgeStaab.com.
| Questionnaire response: | For Spokane County Bar Association |
| ORGANIZATION | TRACY STAAB | BRYAN WHITAKER |
|
Spokane County Bar Association Evaluation Panel |
Well Qualified | Qualified |
|
Spokane County Bar Association Member Poll |
Important note! Each of these organizations uses its own standards and rating terms when evaluating candidates; please check their pages for further information. Candidates with an asterisk (*) were not rated, and the reasons vary. Some evaluations may still be in process; some candidates may not have been offered an opportunity to participate, or they may have declined to participate. Again, please check the organizations' pages for further details.
Newspaper endorsements (click paper for details):
| NEWSPAPER | TRACY STAAB | BRYAN WHITAKER |
| Spokane Spokesman-Review |
 |
| CANDIDATE |
REPORTED AS OF |
CONTRIBUTIONS | EXPENDITURES |
| Tracy Staab | 11/02/2009 |
$41,265.09 (Personal Funds $25,900.00) (Loans $4,700.00) |
$38,321.25 |
| Bryan Whitaker | 11/02/2009 |
$6,131.81 (Personal Funds $2,032.00) (Loans $2,200.00) |
$6,119.84 |
| October 20, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Candidates' home addresses become issue in judicial race | |
| September 4, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Court upholds thousands of verdicts | |
| May 31, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | High court weighing Spokane courts | |
| March 2, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Council rejects residency requirement for judges | |
| February 17, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Residency requirement proposed for judges | |
| January 3, 2009 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Municipal Court judges confirmed, sworn in | |
| December 30, 2008 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | [Opinion] Court positions will require informed electorate | |
| December 23, 2008 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Verner selects three for court | |
| December 21, 2008 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | Eight judge finalists selected | |
| December 3, 2008 | ||
| Spokesman-Review | City to set up municipal court system | |
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