Orosco and Villarreal vie for Franklin District Court judge. 1 wanted our recommendation
In the race for Franklin County District Judge, only one of the candidates was willing to participate in our interview process and that was Trinity Orosco.
Her opponent, Carlos Villarreal, declined our invitation and stated in an email that he believed “the voter pamphlet is sufficient in stating qualifications for this contest.”
We disagree.
One of the reasons we record our interviews with candidates is because we think the video provides a unique tool for voters. Our conversational style gives the chance for give-and-take between candidates that other platforms do not offer.
It is a long-standing policy of The Herald that we only recommend candidates who meet with us, and that was explained to Villarreal.
But don’t think that means Orosco gets our backing only by default.
She is an excellent choice for judge, and we have no hesitation in recommending her to this important elected office.
Orosco is an enthusiastic candidate with a tenacious work ethic.
She started out as a paralegal student at Columbia Basin College and eventually decided to make the leap and become an attorney. Orosco graduated from Gonzaga Law School, returned to the Tri-Cities and has worked as a public defender since.
With over 20 years working in the legal field, and 13 of those as an attorney, she felt ready to take the next step.
And that opportunity presented itself with the upcoming retirement of Franklin County District Court Judge Jerry Roach, who has been on the bench for nearly 20 years.
Orosco wants to continue the good work done by Roach, but she also has vision.
The Veterans Court and Mental Health Court in Benton County have been very successful, and one of Trinity’s top priorities will be to provide the citizens of Franklin County with the same access to therapeutic courts.
These courts encourage rehabilitation while helping participants to become contributing members of the community.
Therapeutic courts are missing in Franklin County District Court and Orosco is on a mission to change that. She told the Tri-City Herald she already has laid the ground work for starting up the special program.
She said she has found a grant that would help get new courts going, which would be designed to address the mental health and substance abuse crisis that is affecting so many people in the community.
We like her drive.
Orosco also has endorsements from all three Franklin County commissioners, current and retired Tri-City judges, many attorneys and Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond.
Going by the Voters’ Pamphlet, Villarreal appears to be a solid candidate. He’s worked as an attorney in the Tri-Cities since 2007 and his current law firm, Villarreal Law Office, focuses on criminal, civil and immigration matters.
In addition, Villarreal already has judicial experience serving as a substitute judge for Franklin County District Court and Pasco Municipal Court.
Orosco has been sworn in as a Judge Pro Tempore in Benton County District Court, but has not been called up to hear a case. A pro tem judge is a judge or an attorney who sits in as a substitute for judges when needed.
Unfortunately, the way this qualification was phrased in the Voters’ Pamphlet prompted one of Villarreal’s supporters to speak out publicly at a Franklin County Commission meeting last week and accuse Orosco of deceit.
Orosco said her intent was not to mislead anyone, and she had multiple people review her statement before submitting it, including the judge she is training with as a pro tem, Franklin County District Court Judge Dan Kathren.
Kathren defended Orosco, and wrote on her social media page that, “Whether or not she has heard a case, Trinity has been and is serving as a judge pro tem in Benton County District Court. This is not dishonest or misleading.”
While we can see how some voters might look at Orosco’s profile in the Voters’ Pamphlet and get the idea that she has served as a judge pro tem, she did not mislead us during our interview.
We asked her about the leap from attorney to judge, and she said the thousands of hours she has spent in District Court has helped prepare her for the job.
Another attribute we liked about Orosco is that she did not make negative comments about her opponent when we interviewed her. One of our concerns when we meet with only one candidate is that the opponent isn’t there to defend against accusations that might be made.
That Orosco kept the one-sided interview focused on her own qualifications demonstrated a sense of fairness that is critical for judges.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Trinity Orosco for Franklin County District Court Judge.
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 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM.