Op-Ed: Shoreline District Court Judge Marcine Anderson says "The candidate I endorse is Joe Campagna"

Judge Marcine Andersonn
Shoreline District Court Judge

To the Readers of Shoreline Area News

Since 2010 I have served as one of your judges at the King County District Court in Shoreline. This year I am unopposed on the November 6, 2018 ballot for Judicial Position No. 2.

There is a contested race for Judicial Position No. 1. The candidate I endorse is Joe Campagna.

Yesterday, I received a political mailing from Citizens for Judicial Excellence (CJE) stating that I was part of a “team” that CJE endorsed.

Please know that I am not part of a team that includes Leonid “Les” Ponomarchuk. Please do not be fooled by the misleading mailers that imply that I am supporting the candidacy of Mr. Ponomarchuk. I have consistently endorsed, financially supported and campaigned for Joe Campagna.

Joe Campagna will be the best “team member” at the Shoreline District Court because he has worked hard to earn your vote. He has obtained the support of more than 50 judges across the state. You have seen him at community events all year. He is committed to judicial excellence and treating all people with dignity and respect.

On my desk is a card that I received from former American Bar Association President, Michael Greco, before I was appointed and then elected as a judge. I look at it every day. It reads:

“In the past year, the judiciary has faced many criticisms and threats to its independence. Despite these challenges, we must continue forward and prevent anyone from dismantling the framework on which our legal system is based. Without our judges and judicial system, the little understood organizational principle of our democratic republic – separation of powers—could not exist. It is imperative that our courts remain free from outside influence and intimidation in order to preserve what Chief Justice William Rehnquist so aptly termed the ‘crown jewel’ of our system of government – our independent judiciary.”

According to reports filed with the State, CJE spent over $50,000 to send mailings that trade on the good will and professional reputation that I hold with the voters in Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline.

I did not seek the endorsement of CJE and was never asked by CJE if they could use my name, photo or accomplishments to promote Mr. Ponomarchuk. 

When large expenditures are made for a judicial candidate, the independence of the judiciary is called into question. Please question the recent CJE mailings and continue to promote an independent judiciary. Our community will benefit from a thoughtful vote by all of you. Thank you.

Judge Marcine Anderson
Shoreline