Gerry Alexander stepping down as chief justice

nine-year run: He’ll stay on state Supreme Court as an associate justice

BRAD SHANNON; The Olympian | • Published September 30, 2009

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Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the state Supreme Court is stepping down from his administrative role early next year, but plans to serve another two years on the court as an associate justice.

Alexander, who hits the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 2011, announced his decision Tuesday. He told the other eight court members earlier in the month. The election of a successor follows in November.

The pending change ends Alexander’s record-setting nine-year run as chief justice, twice what any other chief justice served. Alexander declined to pick a favorite or speculate on who might take his place.

“It’s entirely up to the court, among the nine members of the court. I’ll just see who gets nominated and vote. There is no filing for a primary,” he joked. As for jockeying by justices, he said: “It’s really been pretty quiet, but we have some good people on the court.”

Alexander graduated from Olympia High School, earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Washington and later served on the Thurston County Superior Court bench before going to an appellate court position in Tacoma. He is in his third six-year term on the high court but will be forced to retire one year shy of finishing the last term.

“I just want people to know, I am in good health. I don’t have any discontent in the job. … I just thought this made sense for me personally and for the court,” he said. “This way I can kind of help the transition to the new chief justice.’’

In a statement announcing his move, he said it has been “an incredible privilege and an honor” to serve as chief justice.

“I am immensely proud of our court, and I feel this is the perfect time to turn this position over to one of my able colleagues,” he said in the statement.