Editor’s note: Today The Chronicle begins its endorsements for key contested races in the primary election. Today we weigh in on the two contested races for state Supreme Court. On Saturday we conclude with endorsements for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives District 3.
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 1 — Justice James Johnson
We easily endorse incumbent Justice James Johnson for reelection to the state Supreme Court.
Justice Johnson is supported by Republican state Attorney General Rob McKenna, Democrat state Auditor Brian Sonntag, former Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, the Washington Council of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs, and six of the nine sitting state Supreme Court justices.
Justice Johnson is being challenged by Stan Rumbaugh, a trial attorney, who lists as part of his community service being a former board member of Planned Parenthood Washington.
Justice Johnson has supported gun and property rights, free speech, victim’s rights and open government as he upholds the state constitution. During his tenure on the state Supreme Court, he has written more than 140 opinions.
Before being elected to the high court, Justice Johnson was the Senior Assistant Attorney General, arguing many of the state’s top cases.
We believe we are fortunate to have someone of Justice Johnson’s caliber: a Washington native, graduate of University of Washington then Harvard, a volunteer for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and despite his lofty professional attainments, a regular guy who enjoys hunting, sailing, diving and the opera. Spend a few minutes talking with the amiable Justice Johnson, and you will soon realize we are fortunate to have him representing us on the state’s highest court.
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 6 — Justice Richard B. Sanders
Back in 1995, The Chronicle was the only newspaper to endorse Justice Richard B. Sanders. He claims without The Chronicle’s endorsement, he would not have been elected.
We continue with our support of Justice Sanders, an independent Libertarian who has demonstrated his common-man support in his decisions. The voters have joined us as he now seeks his fourth term.
Justice Sanders is battling two challengers, Bainbridge Island attorney Charles Wiggins and Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff. Of the two challengers, Wiggins is clearly the more qualified. Chances are we’ll see both Wiggins and Sanders in the general election.
But it is Sanders who we want to stay on the court. Justice Sanders, like his colleague Justice Johnson, holds personal rights above all else, except, Sanders said, the facts and the law.
