I am a 78-year-old retired lawyer.
Your Snohomish County ballot will contain three contested judicial races. Do not try to discern which name sounds more judicial. I urge you not to vote in judicial elections unless you are informed about the candidates. Being a good judge is very difficult. Luck has no role in selecting judges.
State Supreme Court contests: Position 3 is between Raquel Montoya-Lewis and David Larson. Justice Montoya-Lewis is overwhelmingly endorsed by many judges at all levels of the judiciary. She has fives years of experience as a Superior Court Judge in Whatcom County. The King County Bar Association rated her as exceptionally well qualified. Her opponent, David Larson. is a municipal judge for the City of Federal Way.
Position 6 is between Helen Whitener and Richard Serns. Justice Whitener is endorsed by many judges statewide, including retired Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne. Before her appointment she was a Pierce County Superior Court Judge. Richard Serns became a lawyer when he passed the Washington State Bar exam in February 2020. No kidding! No contest!
Superior Court contest: Position 8 is between attorney Cassandra Lopez Shaw and Deputy Prosecutor Robert Grant. Prosecutor Adam Cornell, and over 30 local judges, active and retired, have endorsed Grant. Grant is also endorsed by five active and retired Washington State Supreme Court Justices, and seven Snohomish County mayors. Lopez-Shaw was admitted to practice law in 2003. Her website indicates she is supported by businesses in the community.
Judges are important. Please be an informed voter.
Bruce Keithly
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
