Judge elections controversial
Fri, 08/07/2009
Dear Editor,
Judicial elections are quite controversial. Should judges be appointed or elected?
Judges cannot really campaign on any particular platform because they would be accused of prejudging particular issues. In the absence of this sort of information, how do you know who to choose? If the name sounds good, vote for that person?
I have often thought of running for a judicial position myself because my last name is so conducive to a positive response. Many of us simply don’t vote for any candidate for lack of information.
While I often do not know more than anyone else about the candidates, occasionally I do have a strong opinion. In the upcoming election, Anne Ellington is running for reelection to another term on the Court of Appeals.
I know that Anne Ellington is a truly remarkable woman and a truly remarkable judge. She served as a trial judge for 10 years and was elected by the other trial judges to be the King County Presiding Judge. She then ran for a position on the Court of Appeals and was elected.
Her decisions are intelligent, well considered, and neither predominantly liberal nor predominantly conservative. The Seattle Times has endorsed her for reelection and I want to add my small voice to urge my friends and clients to reelect her.
Sharon E. Best
Lincoln Park