Former King County Superior Court Judge Jeanette Burrage has announced that she is a candidate for the Washington Supreme Court.

Burrage, who lives in Des Moines, served as a superior court judge for five years, where she presided over both civil and criminal trials.

She is challenging Supreme Court Justice Tom Chambers, who is seeking re-election to Seat 9.

"The role of a Supreme Court justice is to interpret the constitution and laws as the drafters intended, not to re-write them," Burrage declared.

"Our legal system is based on fundamental principles, including protection of property rights and individual freedoms."

Burrage has served as executive director of the Northwest Legal Foundation, a firm dedicated to protecting the rights of people when government oversteps its authority.

She also supervised six attorneys at the Snohomish County Prosecutor's office.

Her experience includes balancing the rights of the accused with protecting the public through conducting hundreds of sentencing hearings.

As an attorney Burrage has practiced before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts in Washington, and Washington state courts and administrative hearing judges.

As a judge, she completed programs at Judicial College in Nevada.

Burrage, who was raised in Burien and attended Highline High School, is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law.

In addition to her legal experience, she has been an accountant, school teacher and legal guardian, working with children, special needs individuals and the elderly.

She attends Southminster Presbyterian Church and is a leader for the Boy Scouts.