I recommend votes for three incumbent State Supreme Court justices – Gerry Alexander, Tom Chambers and Susan Owens.
Votes for the three are votes for judicial independence.
The Building Industry Association of Washington has spent lots of money to try to beat Alexander and Owens. Because the two were part of a court majority that ruled against BIAW interests in property-rights cases, BIAW has sponsored two candidates who it believes will do its bidding. The association doesn’t care that Alexander and Owens are experienced, open-minded judges who are known for their thoughtful, independent opinions.
Now, another group is running ads against Chambers, citing Chambers’ dissent from the opinion to uphold the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Chambers is a respected judge, and his opponent has drawn “Not Qualified” ratings from lawyers’ groups.
The gay-marriage decision turned on whether the legislature had a “rational basis” for passing the law and concluded, narrowly, that it had.
Two of the three running for re-election were on one side of this emotional issue; one was on the other. You’d find such a split in any group of lawyers.
We shouldn’t choose judges on how they would rule on particular issues. Rather, we should re-elect Alexander, Chambers and Owens for their independent, thoughtful approach to the law.
The Sept. 19 primary will decide at least two of the three winners. That’s because Alexander and Chambers each has only one opponent. Any candidate who gets a majority in the primary is unopposed in November.
Anyone can vote in judicial contests, whether you vote a Democratic ballot, you vote a Republican ballot, or you skip the partisan ballot and go straight to the non-partisan section.
Barry Massoudi for U.S. Senate
Barry Massoudi is one of six Republicans running for the U.S. Senate in the Sept. 19 primary.
Party bosses have directed money and endorsements to Mike McGavick and discouraged others from running, but voters should determine the nominee.
Massoudi’s platform emphasizes taking an attitude of moderation, civility and fiscal responsibility to Washington. McGavick’s does too. But, Massoudi would give the Republicans a candidate selected by voters at least 25 feet from the party bosses’ smoke-filled rooms.
Evan Smith is the Enterprise Forum editor. Send comments to entopinion@heraldnet.com.
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