General Election: November 4, 2014
An information resource for Washington voters
Debra Stephens
Washington Supreme Court
Position 7
Legal/Judicial Experience: Supreme Court Justice since January
2008. Statewide trial and appellate practice, including 120+ appearances
before the Washington Supreme Court. Author and speaker at 100+ legal
seminars. Judge of Division Three Court of Appeals before joining the
Supreme Court.
Other Professional Experience: Minority and Justice Commission
Member. National Courts Science Institute Advisory Board Chair. Adjunct
Professor, Gonzaga Law School since 1995 (taught Constitutional Law,
Community Property and Appellate Advocacy). Former community college
instructor.
Education: B.A. and J.D., Gonzaga University; West Valley High,
Spokane.
Community Service: Former school board director. Sacred Heart
Children’s Hospital fundraising volunteer. Rotary Board member.
Statement: Since becoming a Justice in 2008, I have dedicated
myself to serving the people of this state and upholding the rule of
law. As the only current Justice from Eastern Washington, I bring an
important perspective to the Court. As a longtime constitutional law
professor, I respect legal traditions. And as a mom, former school board
member, and community volunteer, I understand how court decisions impact
Washington families.
Our courts are a critical branch of government, where every person –
regardless of circumstance – is treated fairly, with dignity, and free
from bias and politics. I work every day to maintain the independence of
our judiciary, and trust the people of Washington to elect judges who
support our values and respect the law.
I am proud to have support of people across the state: prominent leaders
in government, education, and business; law enforcement, firefighters,
labor unions, judges, and lawyers. Rated “exceptionally well qualified,”
by statewide organizations, I strive to write clear opinions that uphold
our values and build trust in the integrity of our justice system. I ask
for the opportunity to serve you for another 6 years, and appreciate
your vote.
| ORGANIZATION |
JOHN SCANNELL |
DEBRA STEPHENS |
| Cardozo Society | * | * |
| King County Bar Association | Not Qualified |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
|
Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee |
* |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
|
Latina/o Bar Association of Washington |
* |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
|
Municipal League of King County |
* | * |
|
QLaw: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington |
* |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
|
Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys |
Unqualified |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
| Washington Women Lawyers | * |
Exceptionally Well 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 for candidates with an asterisk (*), 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.
Newspaper endorsements (click paper for details):
| NEWSPAPER |
JOHN SCANNELL |
DEBRA STEPHENS |
| The Columbian |
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| Everett Herald |
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| The Olympian |
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| Seattle Times |
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| Spokesman-Review |
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| The Stranger |
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| Tacoma News Tribune |
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| Tri-City Herald |
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| Yakima Herald-Republic |
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98383
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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.