Editorial Page staff
The Seattle Times
The three-way primary contest for Supreme Court Position 3 is now down to a race between
incumbent Justice Charles Johnson and challenger Douglas Smith. Johnson's contributions to the high
court have earned him re-election.
Johnson unseated incumbent Justice Keith Callow in 1990 in what most observers considered an election-year
fluke since neither Johnson nor Callow actively campaigned that year. Fortunately for the people of this state,
that election fluke turned out better than expected.
Johnson's experience as a lawyer with a small, varied practice representing individuals has been a
welcome addition to the court. He has a common touch, recognizing that even the most arcane matters of
jurisprudence affect people's lives. He works well with his colleagues on the court, and earned their respect
early in his term for his diligence, smarts and fairness.
Smith, an attorney from Everett, has worked in the Pentagon and the Ford administration and is now
in private law practice. He also has sought political office, running unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate
and as a property-rights candidate for Snohomish County executive. He has no judicial experience and does not
offer better professional qualifications than Johnson. Johnson should be retained.
