Campaign trail for August 10

The Olympian | • Published August 09, 2008

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Gorton group picks judicial favorites

OLYMPIA -- The bipartisan but right-leaning Justice for Washington Foundation announced judicial ratings for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals recently, saying appellate Judge J. Robin Hunt of Bainbridge Island is "unqualified" and her challenger Tim Ford is "well qualified."

Hunt is a two-term judge on the Court of Appeals' Division II, District 2. Ford works for the Attorney General's Office and is a former in-house attorney for the Building Industry Association of Washington. The group, which claims to be the only bipartisan rating group because its rating committee members are Republicans and Democrats, rated Ford's judicial philosophy as "commendable" because of his "respect for the law and Constitution," but Hunt received no rating.

The foundation, led by Republican former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, favors candidates showing "judicial restraint" or deference to the Constitution, according to Alex Hays, foundation president. Most other law groups have rated Hunt as "exceptionally well qualified," including the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association and Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, while Ford earned a "not qualified" or no ratings.

The foundation also rated Supreme Court candidates' qualifications.

• Justice Mary Fairhurst: "well qualified"; her rating for "respect for the law and Constitution" was "insufficient." Opponent Michael Bond: "qualified" and "sufficient" ratings.

• Justice Charles W. Johnson: "well qualified" and "insufficient." Opponents James M. Beecher and C.F. "Frank" Vulliet: "qualified" but the committee cited a lack of information about their philosophy.

• Justice Debra Stephens: "well qualified" and no rating.

Planned Parenthood backs Democrats

SEATTLE -- Planned Parenthood Votes Washington has endorsed several candidates ahead of the Aug. 19 primary, including Gov. Chris Gregoire, Supreme Court Justices Mary Fairhurst and Charles Johnson, and attorney general candidate John Ladenburg.