2 longtime Tri-Cities attorneys face-off at Badger Club in race for Superior Court judge

Judicial races are likely those for which voters have the least information to make their choice, and rarely does a sitting judge have an opponent.

But this election gives voters a choice between two new candidates for an open seat on the Superior Court bench.

The winner will join six other full- time judges who serve both Benton and Franklin Counties. Voters can hear from both candidates in a Columbia Basin Badger Club online forum beginning at noon Thursday, Oct. 24.

The seven Benton-Franklin judges are elected to serve four-year terms.

Unless a judge makes a very visible and unpopular decision or is removed for misconduct, re-election is usually a matter of formality.

Judicial races are nonpartisan and must adhere to the ethical standards required of judges, which often means voters are left with little information about the options on their ballot. The currently open Superior Court seat was created when Sam Swanberg resigned while under investigation by the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Incumbency is a powerful tool in any election, more so since judges must also be lawyers. Those who lose the race are likely to practice before the very judge they challenged in the last election.

It stands to reason that most lawyers are reluctant to challenge a sitting judge. A rare recent exception was a challenge to Judge Norma Rodriguez in 2022 that was largely fueled by anger over her decision to allow the recall of three Richland School Board members to proceed.

The two current candidates who will be featured at the Badger Club forum, which also includes a half-hour Q&A session for those who register, are:

Shawn Sant, who has served as the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney since 2011. His campaign says he has “evaluated thousands of civil and criminal legal matters during (his) 26 years as a prosecutor, public defender, and police officer.” He has supported the expansion of therapeutic courts and diversion programs that combine professional treatment with strict accountability, reduce repeat offenses, and cut costs.

Bronson Brown, who currently serves as a part time Benton County Superior Court commissioner and Franklin County judge pro-tem. Brown’s campaign says he has “the experience necessary to serve our community full time in the Superior Court.” He is endorsed by Benton/Franklin County Superior Court judges, Benton County District Court judges, Pasco Municipal Court judge, Superior Court commissioners, local attorneys, and community business leaders.

Grab your Voters’ Pamphlet and join us on Zoom for this forum.

There is no charge for Badger Club members. Nonmembers pay $5. To register, visit www.columbiabasinbadgers.com . Table Talk, our open-mic conversation with those who watched the forum will follow.