This is actually the big item on the list - rating up there with the Heywood Initiatives. We are electing five (5!) State Supreme Court justices this go-around. And for these recommendations, I'm call in the pros. The Washington State Supreme Court Visualizer goes over all the major races, where their endorsements are, their current funding, current polls, and the bar association ratings. It is pretty much a complete package on them.
Now I tend to lean towards the more progressive side of the fence (no duh), but all of these candidates are serious judicial types with experience in court, and backgrounds as lawyers and lower-level judges. These are serious professionals. Some of the more conservative candidates want to keep politics out of the courtroom, which sounds good, but mainly its to hide that they're getting backing from the State GOP. In the Birk/O'Donnell race, a liberal PAC sent out an attack mailer keying in on which candidates had Republican support. O'Donnell's side complained about the these fliers were playing politics with the courtroom, but his own flyer trumpets the endorsements of a couple Democratic Party former governors, along with Adam Smith (Adam Smith) with nary a word of the GOP endorsement. So yeah, the positions are non-partisan, but the candidates are not.
Here's a summary of recommendations
Position 1: Colleen Melody
Position 3: Jaime Hawk
Position 4: Ian Birk
Position 5: Theo Angelis
Position 7: Debra Stephens
OK, so one more personal note. Position 4 candidate Sean O'Donnell and his supporters marched in the Mercer Island Community Parade. They were right behind our Tai Chi class (I told you, I don't tell you everything about my life). We were marching and every so often would stop to do a few sword forms (yes, they trust me with a sword). The Lovely Bride was bringing up the rear, and Judge O'Donnell kept warning his folks not to get too close, lest they get skewered. I do appreciate that, but I'm still popping for Ian Birk.
And, as a final thing, there is a long listing of votes for Southeast Electoral District Judges. That area includes Kent and Renton, but for the life of me I cannot find a map showing the exact region, so you may or may not have them on your ballot. The judges at this level handle the small stuff - traffic infractions, small claims, misdemeanors, and the like, and have a 4-year term. All of these on my ballot are uncontested, including Judge Position No. 5, which pits Joshua C. Harris against Heather M. Barker. Harris dropped out of the race, but too late to get him off the ballot. So, when you get this far down, go for Heather M. Barker. And a bunch of other professionals who don't have opponents this time.
More later,
