State Supreme Court race remains close

  • By GENE JOHNSON The Associated Press
  • Wednesday, November 3, 2010 12:01am
  • News

By Gene Johnson The Associated Press

SEATTLE — Justice Richard Sanders maintained a narrow lead in his bid for a fourth term on the state Supreme Court as more votes were counted Wednesday.

But challenger Charlie Wiggins said he was encouraged by his performance in the state’s most populous county.

Sanders had 51 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Wiggins.

About two-thirds of the statewide vote has been counted, but a significant portion of the uncounted ballots were in King County, where Wiggins was collecting nearly 57 percent.

“I’m pretty thrilled with what I’m seeing,” Wiggins said. “On the new votes in King County, I’ve got a nice jump in the percentage I’m getting — 60 percent of those. That’s the trend I really need to have.”

Sanders didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment.

Sanders came under fire late in the campaign for insisting at a court meeting that racial bias plays no significant role in the criminal justice system. He said certain minority groups are “disproportionally represented in prison because they have a crime problem.”

A front-page story on the remarks appeared in The Seattle Times after ballots were mailed to voters and was followed by the newspaper’s decision to rescind its endorsement of him.

Blacks make up 4 percent of the state’s population and nearly 20 percent of its prisoners, and studies around the country have linked such disproportionate numbers to drug enforcement policies, poverty and racial biases throughout society.

Sanders said he stood by his remarks, that the uproar over his comments amounted to a personal attack, and that he’s proud of his record of upholding the state Constitution and protecting individual liberties. He and his supporters pointed out that he often sides with defendants in criminal cases that reach the high court.

Wiggins said Sanders’ comments fit into a pattern of ill-considered remarks — including the time Sanders shouted “tyrant!” at then U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey during a black tie dinner — that raise questions about his judgment.

More in News

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in the touch tank in front of her at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Pochert, who lives in Sequim, drove to Port Townsend on Sunday to visit the aquarium because the aquarium is closing its location this month after 42 years of operation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Aquarium closing

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and… Continue reading

Tree sale is approved for auction

Appeals filed for two Elwha watershed parcels

Port Townsend City Council to draw down funds in 2025 budget

City has ‘healthy fund reserve balance,’ finance director says

Man flown to hospital after crash investigated for DUI

A 41-year-old man was flown to Olympic Medical Center in… Continue reading

Signal controller project to impact traffic

Work crews will continue with the city of Port… Continue reading

Cities, counties approve tax hikes

State law allows annual 1 percent increase

Health officer: Respiratory illnesses low on Peninsula

Berry says cases are beginning to rise regionally

A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)
Puppy rescued from wreck to be adopted

A puppy named Captain Kirk is about to boldly go… Continue reading

Festival of Trees raises record $231,000

The 34th annual Festival of Trees, produced by the… Continue reading

Man flown to hospital after single-car collision

A 67-year-old man was flown to an Everett hospital after… Continue reading