Seattle Times endorses Gonzalez, Hilyer, Owens for State Supreme Court

By Evan Smith

Our news partner, The Seattle Times has endorsed incumbent State Supreme Court Justices Steve Gonzalez and Susan Owens, and Bruce Hilyer, a candidate for an open Supreme-Court seat, in the Aug. 7 primary election.

Gonzalez faces one challenger, Owens faces two challengers, and Hilyer faces three other candidates. Any candidate who gets a majority in the primary runs unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election. If no candidate gets a majority of the votes for a position, the top two vote getters run off in November.

The Times editorial board notes that Gonzalez was appointed in January by Gov. Chris Gregoire to replace a justice who had reached the mandatory retirement age, 75. Gonzalez faces Seattle attorney Bruce O. Danielson.

The Times cites Owens’ 12 years of experience on the Supreme Court and says that she has deep support in the legal community. Owens faces Seattle attorney Douglas W. McQuaid and Arlington attorney Scott Stafne.

Finally, a Times editorial said, “King County Superior Court Judge Hilyer is our choice for the seat being vacated by Justice Tom Chambers. Hilyer, 61, has been a prosecutor and a judge.” Hilyer faces former Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders, trial and appellate lawyer Sheryl Gordon McCloud and former Pierce County prosecuting attorney and County executive John W. Ladenburg.

See the Times editorial recommending Gonzalez and Owens here.

See the Times editorial recommending Hilyer here.

See a summary of all Seattle Times endorsements here