State Supreme Court incumbents headed toward re-election

None of the state Supreme Court races in Tuesday's primary election appears to be headed for a runoff, with all three incumbents claiming majorities in early results.

Incumbent Justice Mary Fairhurst was getting more than half the vote in her race against Mercer Island attorney Michael Bond.

Under state law, judicial candidates who get more than half the vote in the primary advance to the general election unopposed, assuring re-election.

Justice Charles Johnson was facing a surprisingly tough primary challenge, but in early results the court's senior member was leading with a majority against Seattle attorney James Beecher. Still, Beecher's showing has been impressive considering he reported no campaign contributions.

A third candidate in that race, C.F. "Frank" Vulliet, had a poor showing, finishing last in early returns.

Justice Debra Stephens ran unopposed in the primary, guaranteeing her another term.

In her campaign, Fairhurst, 50, said she was proud of her efforts to enhance access to justice for low- and moderate-income people.

She collected a wide range of endorsements and crushed Bond in fundraising, taking in more than $191,000 to his $33,000.

Bond, 55, argued that Fairhurst too often sides with the government -- and against citizens -- in court cases.

Johnson, 57, an 18-year-veteran of the court, ran on his lengthy judicial experience.

He rode a huge fundraising advantage, reporting more than $86,000 in campaign contributions, while his opponents reported none.

Beecher, 68, works in a Seattle law firm. He had been a Seattle city prosecutor and was a trial attorney for the state Attorney General's Office.

Vulliet, 66, a Mercer Island attorney, failed to win any significant endorsements and was suspended from practicing law in Washington because he had not completed his continuing legal education requirements.

Robert Faturechi: 206-464-2393 or rfaturechi@seattletimes.com