2 choices are obvious for WA Supreme Court. See who the Tri-City Herald recommends | Editorial
In 12 months the Washington Supreme Court lost two brilliant members. Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst left for health reasons at the end of last year, and Justice Charles Wiggins retired in April.
With only one of nine justices from Eastern Washington, we suggested that Gov. Jay Inslee appoint a Tri-Cities candidate, or at the very least, someone from our side of the state. We thought the court could use some regional balance.
We were rooting for Judges Alex Ekstrom and George B. Fearing, who both made the finalist list. Ekstrom of Kennewick is on the Benton-Franklin Superior Court bench, and Fearing of Richland is a judge for the Washington state Court of Appeals based in Spokane.
But Inlsee was looking to broaden the court in other ways.
He made history when he appointed the first Native American, and then the first Black woman, to the state’s highest court.
Now that these incredible justices are there, we recommend they stay. That’s why Raquel Montoya-Lewis and Helen Whitener are our choices for the state Supreme Court.
Montoya-Lewis v Larson
Raquel Montoya-Lewis was working as a Whatcom County Superior Court judge when she was picked for the state Supreme Court. Before that, she served as Chief Judge for the Lummi, Nooksack, and Upper Skagit tribes, giving her a unique perspective into issues affecting Native Americans in our state.
Montoya-Lewis is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Islet tribe in New Mexico, and a descendant of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe.
She told us that one of the legal disputes that kept her up at night involved a tribal disenrollment case that she worked on while she, herself, was disenrolled from her own tribe.
That meant she lost her membership, her house and other benefits. The pain in her voice was apparent as she told her story. Fortunately, she since has been established back into her tribe.
But the memory speaks to the need to have justices on the Supreme Court who have a variety of life experiences, and who have proven their integrity.
Montoya-Lewis has 20 years of judicial experience, as well as a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington. She also has served on state and national boards focusing on juvenile justice, and has taught as an Associate Professor at Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College.
Her opponent is Dave Larson, whom we recommended for the state Supreme Court in 2016 when he ran against Justice Charles Wiggins. At the time we said Larson’s list of achievements was too exceptional to dismiss.
He is a highly accomplished judge for the Federal Way Municipal Court, and is a champion for court reform. He once told us he used his vacation time to keep the court in Granger from dissolving.
Four years ago, state lawmakers were in the middle of the McLeary controversy, and we thought Larson’s experience on the Federal Way School Board would be helpful to the state Supreme Court, so he got our nod.
This time around, we think Montoya-Lewis will fill a void on the court that Larson can’t.
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recommends Raquel Montoya-Lewis for Supreme Court Justice, Position 3.
Whitener v Serns
The choice between Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener and challenger Richard S. Serns is obvious.
Whitener has over 21 years of legal experience. Serns passed his state bar exam in February.
Serns, 69, has had a commendable career in school administration, and is the retired superintendent of the Winlock School District.
He believes his unique experience in navigating through state and federal school statutes, funding laws and collective bargaining agreements will be useful to the state’s highest court.
Whitener is a former Pierce County Superior Court judge, with experience working as both a prosecutor and as a defense attorney.
She is known for her fairness, intellect and calm demeanor.
Co-chair of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, she made headlines when she became the first Black, openly LGBTQ justice on the state Supreme Court.
She’s a tremendous justice, while Serns has no judicial experience.
The Tri-City Herald recommends G. Helen Whitener for Supreme Court Justice, Position 6.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 16, 2020 at 4:00 AM.