The four top law enforcement officers in Benton and Franklin counties said Thursday that they believe lawyer Sal Mendoza Jr. would best serve the community as the next Superior Court judge.
Mendoza has the "integrity, work ethic and intelligence" to ensure due process and fairness for all those served in Benton-Franklin Superior Court, said Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller.
Mendoza has been an effective advocate for his clients and shown "an awful lot of maturity" in the courtroom, he said.
Miller was joined at a news conference on the steps of the Franklin County Courthouse by Franklin Prosecutor Steve Lowe, Franklin Sheriff Richard Lathim and Benton Sheriff Larry Taylor.
He said it was the first time in memory all four lawmen came together in "overwhelming support" for one candidate.
"The respect he's earned over the years is impressive," Taylor said.
Mendoza and lawyer Bruce Spanner are vying for the seat of retiring Judge Dennis Yule. They face off in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mendoza is under contract with Benton County to represent poor defendants in Superior Court. He spent one year each as an assistant attorney general and a deputy prosecutor in Franklin County before going into private practice.
Spanner, who says he knew in high school that he wanted to be an attorney, has been practicing law for nearly 24 years. He is a partner in a Kennewick firm and specializes in civil and administrative law matters.
In the August primary, Spanner received about 3,100 more votes than Mendoza. Superior Court Commissioner Jerri Potts came in third.
Since his early days in the prosecutor's office, Mendoza has developed into "a great young lawyer" and will be a fine addition to the bicounty system, Lowe said.
"What we're interested in is fairness -- a judge who will be fair on the bench," Lathim said. "We all think Sal is the man who will go up there and do the right thing for the community."
Lathim noted how some cases end up in the appellate level because of errors or a lack of impartiality in the trial court.
"We want to have it decided, and decided right, here in the community," he added.
Mendoza said he was honored by the breadth of support.
* Kristin M. Kraemer: 582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com
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