Richard Sanders

Washington Supreme Court

Position 9

Legal/Judicial Experience: I served on the Supreme Court until 2011, first elected in 1995; and reelected in 1998 and 2004. I wrote more opinions than any other current Justice. Before that, I practiced law for 26 years. I also served as an adjunct professor teaching appellate advocacy at the UW School of Law, and guest lectured on state constitutional law at Seattle University.

Other Professional Experience: I am an Eagle Scout and played for the University of Washington in the Rose Bowl. (French horn!)

Education: B.S. and J.D., University of Washington

Community Service: I frequently lectured and wrote many legal articles and opinion pieces explaining our constitutional rights.

Statement: Why has Justice Tom Chambers endorsed Richard Sanders to take his seat on the Court? Because he knows Richard is a person of unquestioned integrity, devoted to protecting the rights of all citizens.

Article 1, Section 1 of our constitution states: “governments...are established to protect and maintain individual rights.” I believe that’s also the job description of a Supreme Court Justice: we must look out for the “little guy” and protect citizen rights. Sometimes this makes me seem conservative, as when I support property rights, and sometimes it makes me seem liberal, as when I fight for free speech and personal rights to privacy. But I am consistent: we have rights the government must not violate.

Thomas Jefferson said the God who gave us life gave us liberty as well. It’s a good thought to remember. I have support that cuts across the spectrum, with endorsements including: the State Republican and Libertarian Parties; legislators; judges and civil libertarians-- and more than 1,000 endorsers, including the Association of Washington Business and Washington Realtors.

Richard Sanders has earned our support and protected our rights. Vote to return Sanders to the Supreme Court.

Candidate ratings:

ORGANIZATION	BRUCE HILYER	JOHN LADENBURG	SHERYL GORDON McCLOUD	RICHARD SANDERS
Cardozo Society	*	*	Exceptionally Well Qualified	*
Joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee	Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Well Qualified	*
Justice for Washington Foundation	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Qualified	Qualified
King County Bar Association	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Well Qualified
Loren Miller Bar Association	Exceptionally Well Qualified	*	*	*
Pierce County Minority Bar Association	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Exceptionally Well Qualified	*	*
Q-Law: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Well Qualified	*
Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee	Recommended	Recommended	*	Hostile
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Exceptionally Well Qualified	*
Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Not Qualified	Not Qualified
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers	Exceptionally Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Declined Participation
Washington Women Lawyers	Well Qualified	Well Qualified	Qualified	*

Important note! Each of these organizations uses its own standards and rating terms when evaluating candidates; please check their pages for further information. We do not have ratings from all organizations for all candidates, and the reasons vary. Some evaluations may still be in process, or we might not have received them yet; 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.

Archived Version: August 7, 2012

Washington Supreme Court

Position 9