Justice Stephens’ opponent drops out; more drop out in other races

By Brad Shannon | The Olympian • Published June 12, 2008

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The opponent of state Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens withdrew from the race this week, ensuring that Stephens gets a free ride in the Aug. 19 primary and November general election.

Six judges re-elected

Six Thurston County Superior Court judicial candidates who drew no opponents in last week's filing period have been re-elected automatically. Judges Chris Wickham, Paula Casey, Tom McPhee, Richard Cork Hicks, Christine A. Pomeroy and Anne Hirsch won't have to appear on the ballot to secure new four-year terms, state and county elections officials said Thursday.

"Those who filed and drew no opposition will be issued certificates of election immediately," state elections spokesman David Ammons of the Secretary of State's Office said, citing state law. "They don't have to go to any ballot. The voter will never see them again" this year.

One of three candidates for a Thurston County judgeship also withdrew this week, as did a candidate for the county Public Utility District.

Tacoma lawyer Jack Hill withdrew his name for the high court seat race less than a week after he filed to run.

"In the case of Stephens, she is as good as elected as we sit here. Her name will be alone on both ballots," said David Ammons, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's Office.

That leaves two contested Supreme Court races that still could be decided in the primary.

In another change of candidacy, Kevin L. Johnson, who handles criminal defense and personal-injury cases in Olympia, withdrew his name Thursday for Superior Court position 3. Thursday was the final day in which withdrawals were allowed.

"I believe that the campaign and everything would run into my personal life, and I just have too many irons in the fire to fully concentrate on a judicial race," Johnson said.

Johnson's decision means that either Charles Williams or Carol Murphy, in effect, will win that Superior Court seat in the primary, replacing retiring Judge Richard Strophy. One exception is if someone files as a write-in candidate no more than 10 days after the primary, which forces a November election with only the primary winner's name on the ballot, Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman said.

The same is true in the position 7 race, which pits prosecutor Ed Holm against Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor.

The state's new primary lets the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party, but the citizen initiative creating the top two in 2004 did not change the rules for nonpartisan races, such as judgeships or state schools chief. The top-two is being run for the first time this year after overcoming a court challenge.

In the other two Supreme Court races, Justice Mary Fairhurst of Olympia faces Seattle attorney Michael J. Bond, and Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson squares off against C.F. (Frank) Vulliet of Mercer Island and James M. Beecher of Seattle.

In the utility district race, candidate John Blacklaw of Rochester withdrew Thursday, leaving Lowell Deguise of Rochester and Chris Stearns Thurston County in the running.