Author: Betsylew R. Miale-Gix

The glue that holds our society together is the rule of law. For that glue to bind us effectively an independent judiciary must be in place composed of highly qualified justices who thoughtfully and fairly determine cases before them based on the facts and the law, rather than personal bias or an ideological agenda. That is why we are taking the unusual step of sending out a special Advocate with information about three important State Supreme Court races.

There is an important judicial election included in the September 19, 2006 primary. Unlike partisan positions, judicial elections can be decided in the primary election. If any one Supreme Court candidate gets more than 50% of the vote they win. That's it. No moving on to the general election as is the case in other races.

We write to provide you with information about three positions on the Washington State Supreme Court that will be decided in this fall's election. Based on our review of the records and credentials of the candidates running for those three positions, we recommend you vote to re-elect Supreme Court Justices Tom Chambers, Gerry Alexander, and Susan Owens. Here's why:

Justice Tom Chambers has six years of experience as a Supreme Court Justice and practiced law for 30 years. Justice Chambers has built a powerful record protecting the rights of working people, property owners, and crime victims during his tenure on the bench. He is rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by the King County Bar Association, received an “Outstanding Judge of the Year” Award from Washington Women Lawyers. Justice Chambers is endorsed by a wide range of leading police, fire, labor, environmental, education,and business organizations, as well as County Prosecutors.

The record of the candidate for the State Supreme Court running against Justice Chambers, Jeanette Burrage, is starkly different. Ms. Burrage was voted off the Superior Court bench after serving only one term. Many county prosecutors refused to try criminal cases in her courtroom because she was biased and unfair. While a judge, Ms. Burrage threatened to sanction women lawyers who wore pant suits in her courtroom. The King County Bar Association consistently has rated her “Not Qualified.”

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander is the longest serving Chief Justice in our state’s history, with more than 30 years experience at all court levels. He has earned a lifetime achievement award from the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals for his character and integrity. The King County Bar Association has rated him “Exceptionally Well Qualified.” Chief Justice Alexander has a record as a moderate on the court. He has opened Supreme Court sessions to television, and has promoted limits on campaign contributions for judicial candidates. Justice Alexander is also endorsed by a wide range of organizations and individuals including labor, business, educators, and environmentalists.

The primary opponent running against Justice Alexander, John Groen has no judicial experience and is running on a narrow special interest agenda. Mr. Groen refused to take part in a judicial evaluation program. He is the only candidate who accepted over-the-limit campaign contributions by taking $200,000 in special interest donations just days before new elections rules made this illegal.

Justice Susan Owens, has over 25 years experience as a judge with a strong record of protecting constitutional rights. Her record demonstrates she cares passionately about civil liberties and an independent judiciary. She has a record as a capable and moderate justice and is rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by Washington Women Lawyers. Like the other Supreme Court Justices recommended by Adler Giersch ps, Justice Owens is endorsed by education, labor, environmental, women’s, firefighter, victim’s rights and other organizations.

The primary opponent of Justice Owens is a politician, Stephen Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a Republican State Senator with a conservative voting record. Mr. Johnson has no judicial experience, never having served as a judge. He has practiced law only part time for the past twelve years. Mr. Johnson is endorsed by the Liability Reform Coalition, Building Industry Association of Washington and Washington Realtors – all groups that support restricting citizens’ legal rights.

Judicial positions were made non-partisan because of the crucial role the courts play in insuring the rule of law in our society. Being non-partisan enables judges to be independent arbiters applying the law and the facts in each case in the best interests of all of us without the strings that come with political affiliations and large special interest donations. There are those attempting to pervert this concept and destroy judicial independence in this election to both influence how cases are decided, and make judges beholden to special interests to be elected to the Bench.

It is up to all of us to just say NO to these folks and their candidates by voting for Justices Chambers, Alexander and Owens on September 19, 2006.