EVERETT — Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Whitney Rivera retained her seat after a challenge from Mary Anderson, according to initial results Tuesday night.
Early returns show Rivera has received 62.7% of the vote, a significant lead over Anderson’s 36.8%. Nearly 221,000 ballots had been counted.
Rivera, 44, will serve her first full term on the bench after Gov. Jay Inslee appointed her to the seat in March. She previously worked as a public defender, as a law clerk for a Superior Court judge and as an Edmonds Municipal Court judge. Rivera is the first woman of Asian American Pacific Islander descent to serve in Snohomish County Superior Court.
“I have dedicated my entire career to public service and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue serving Snohomish County in this role,” Rivera said in an email Wednesday. “I am very grateful for the incredible support that I received from our community throughout this campaign. I look forward to continuing being part of the important work that happens at Snohomish County Superior Court.”
If results hold, it will be the second time in two years Anderson, 50, has fallen short of a Superior Court seat. Last year, she lost by just under 10% to Judge Patrick Moriarty. She has practiced law for 14 years and served as a judge pro tem — a temporary judge — in over 1,700 cases in Snohomish County District Court.
”I am grateful for the love and support from the community and honored to have so many friends, family, and supporters,” Anderson said in an email Wednesday. “Thank you, Snohomish County voters, for casting your ballots for me! I look forward to the remaining votes being counted over the next week.”
Ballots will continue to be counted in the coming days. The Snohomish County Auditor’s Office said approximately 90,500 ballots remain to be counted, with more set to arrive via mail in the coming days. The next set of results will be released around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Superior Court judges rule on felony criminal cases, civil matters, domestic relations and juvenile matters, as well as appeals from lower courts. To qualify for the nonpartisan position, candidates must be authorized to practice law in Washington. Once elected, they serve a four-year term and are paid $228,261 per year. The county and state split that salary.
In interviews with The Daily Herald, the candidates stressed they would increase the transparency of the court, with both promising to write detailed decisions in each of their cases and increase community outreach.
Anderson said her experience as a business owner, as well as in civil and criminal law, made her a highly qualified candidate. Rivera said her time spent as a public defender, municipal court judge and her months serving on the Superior Court gave her vital experience to draw from when making judicial rulings.
Rivera was endorsed by hundreds of elected officials, attorneys and members of the judicial system. Anderson opted not to seek endorsements, citing ethical concerns, though she had done so previously. Endorsements are common practice in judicial races. Rivera’s campaign expenditures totaled over $100,000, nearly four times Anderson’s spending.
Election results will be certified Nov. 26.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
