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| Jim Foley |
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| Candidate: State Supreme Court, Position 9 |
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| Jim Foley |
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| Age: 45 |
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| Residence: Olympia |
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| Occupation: |
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Attorney |
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| Education: |
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B.S. in political science, Western Washington University; J.D., University of Puget Sound |
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| Campaign Web site: www.jimforjustice.com |
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| Campaign theme: |
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Common sense in the courtroom. |
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| Rating: Not qualified |
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| 1. |
Do you support the current system of electing judges? Why, or why not? |
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Accountability to the voters is of extreme importance. Voters are intelligent and fair people who will not punish a judge for applying the law to the facts. Voters need the authority to remove judges who let politics influence their decision-making. Ultimately judges should answer to the voters. |
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| 2. |
Name a state Supreme Court ruling that you would have joined the majority on and explain why. |
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The Loomis Armored Car case in which an employee left an armored car to rescue a woman being violently assaulted during a bank robbery. The company fired the worker for coming to the rescue. The court found it against public policy to prevent someone from saving a life. |
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Name one where you would have dissented and explain why. |
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I would have dissented in the Seattle stadium cases as they were clearly motivated by political considerations. Regardless of one's feeling regarding the stadiums, the cases were not handled properly, nor did they result in law that we can be proud of. |
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| 4. |
Do you think judicial candidates should have more leeway in what they can say in a campaign, or do you support current restrictions? |
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The current restrictions in judicial campaigns are appropriate. I am opposed to special-interest candidates being allowed to state how they would rule on political issues. I do not believe the people of Washington want politically influenced judicial candidates elected. |
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| 5. |
What is the biggest problem facing the state court system and how would you address it? |
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The biggest problem facing the state courts today is special-interest money influencing the voters in selecting judges. Corporations, lawyers and "soft money" from those who make endorsements are ruining the system of electing judges. Voters need to remember that their vote is more powerful than special-interest money. |
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