Fearing leading race to maintain spot on appellate court

George Fearing is defeating his opponent in a race to maintain his seat on the Washington State Court of Appeals.

Fearing had 54 percent, or 50,154 votes, to attorney Partrick McBurney’s 46 percent, or 43,022.

A Kennewick attorney and Republican, McBurney, said he decided to challenge Fearing because he wanted to add a conservative point of view to the appelate court.

McBurney began practicing law 23 year ago and worked as a public defender and represented clients in bankruptcy and family law cases.

He said people should have a choice when they elected an Appeals Court judge. He said he would offer a different set of personal views than Fearing and voters care about that distinction.

Fearing was appointed in 2013 to the Appeals Court after spending 31 years practicing law in the Tri-Cities. He ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings in 2008 as a Democrat.

Judicial officers shouldn’t insert their political philosophy into campaigns, Fearing said. People may question whether the judge can make fair decisions.

Appeals Court judges serve six-year terms.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 9:28 PM with the headline "Fearing leading race to maintain spot on appellate court."