Two incumbent state Supreme Court justices on Wednesday traded jabs with their better-financed election opponents over the influence of special-interest money in judicial races.

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander said he fears the rising tide of special-interest money is threatening the notion of an independent judiciary.

"A judge should not have an agenda," Alexander said.

Justice Susan Owens echoed that sentiment.

"My seat is not for sale," Owens said.

But their challengers pooh-poohed such dire warnings.

"Here's the definition of special-interest groups: It's your opponent's supporters," said state Sen. Steve Johnson, a Kent Republican who is running against Owens. "It's never your own."

The exchanges came during a candidate forum at the Westin Hotel in Seattle hosted by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. All five candidates for the three court seats on the ballot were there.

The sharpest debate came after the candidates were asked whether they would recuse themselves from a case if it involved an interest group that donated heavily to their campaign.

The question was aimed mostly at John Groen, a prominent property-rights attorney from Bellevue who is running against Alexander.

Groen has raised about $305,000, more than three times as much as Alexander. Nearly two-thirds of Groen's money was contributed in the final weeks before the state's strict new campaign-finance limits went into effect last month. And many of his biggest donations came from real-estate developers and others in the construction industry.

Groen said he would remove himself from hearing a case if he became aware that an individual large donor was involved — but not if the case involved a particular interest group that supported him.

But Groen suggested the question is moot, because he is adhering to a judicial canon that bars court candidates from knowing who donated to their campaign. Groen said he does not look at his campaign-disclosure reports and, when they are mentioned in news stories, his wife or campaign staff clips out those parts.

"I am vigorous in insulating myself from knowledge about where campaign donations come from," he said.

Groen also said he's not alone when it comes to accepting large sums from a particular interest group. He noted that Justice Tom Chambers, a former trial lawyer who is running unopposed so far this year, has received tens of thousands of dollars from a single law firm.

And he noted that, earlier this week, Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire told reporters she plans to help raise money for a new political-action committee — a coalition of labor unions and other liberal groups — that is supporting Alexander and Owens.

Afterward, Groen complained that he is being attacked simply because he has raised more money than Alexander.

"The reality is, we've raised more money because people support my campaign," Groen said.

But while Groen has raised more money, the latest disclosure filings show Alexander has received more individual donations.

Ralph Thomas: 360-943-9882 or rthomas@seattletimes.com

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