Judges: Supreme Court seats not for sale

Throughout his career, Justice Charles Wiggins has been committed to judicial independence and integrity. He has been a steady support for the civil rights and liberties constitutionally guaranteed to all people. That is why more than 200 current and retired judges have endorsed him, including myself, as have dozens of statewide leaders and organizations.

The most experienced candidate in the race by far, Wiggins has argued hundreds of appellate cases. Since election to the Supreme Court, he has heard more than 500 cases and written many dozens of opinions. His opponent has virtually no appellate experience. The clarity of Wiggins’ reasoning provides important guidance in applying the law in cases before the trial court, which promotes consistency critical to the dispensation of justice.

A small cadre of billionaires have sought to purchase a seat on our Supreme Court, and recently funneled more than a million dollars to Wiggins’ opponent. This reflects a troubling trend that is manifested in many judicial races across the country, threatening core concepts of judicial independence and impartiality.

Reject the scheming of these moneyed special interests. Reelect Justice Wiggins based on his established merit; don’t elect his opponent based on special interest money promoting scurrilous and untruthful attack ads.

(Stan Rumbaugh is a Pierce County Superior Court judge.)

This story was originally published November 5, 2016 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Judges: Supreme Court seats not for sale."