Spokane Municipal Court Judge, position 1
Election Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Tracy Arlene Staab (N) | 27,129 | 73.70% |
| Adam W. Papini | 9,681 | 26.30% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
The Candidates
Tracy Arlene Staab
- Party:
- No party
- Age:
- 55
- City:
- Spokane, Washington
Education: Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies from Western Washington University in 1990. Earned law degree from University of Puget Sound in 1993. Political experience: Appointed as a Spokane Municipal Court Judge by Mayor Mary Verner in 2009. Won elections to the bench in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
Work experience: Worked for a civil law firm in Seattle before moving to Ellensburg in 1995 and starting her own private practice as the contract prosecutor for the city. In 1999, moved to Spokane and worked four years as a law clerk at the Court of Appeals. Began working as an appellate attorney for the city public defender’s office in 2003, and in 2005, began working as the appellate attorney for the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington until her appointment to the bench.
Family: Married to Scott Staab. Has one daughter.
Fundraising: Raised more than $72,000 in cash and in-kind contributions as of Wednesday, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Staab is the largest contributor to her own campaign, with $49,000 of her own cash invested in the race. Other major contributors include several local law offices, including the Law Office of Thomas Jarrard, the Kuhlman Law Office and Phelps and Associates. Staab also has received contributions from the Iron Workers District Council of the Pacific Northwest.
Adam W. Papini
- Age:
- 52
- City:
- Latah, WA
Education: Graduated from Gonzaga University in 1994. Earned a law degree from Gonzaga School of Law in 1997.
Political experience: None.
Work experience: Was a public defender for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Indians out of law school before becoming a public defender for the city of Spokane. In 2000, began working as a city prosecutor where he’s remained since.
Family: Declined to comment on marital status. Has a school-aged son.
Top priorities: He would like to shake up the current court system by pushing for a more streamlined approach when it comes to access to justice. He wants to make finding courtrooms easier for plaintiffs and defendants, and has been vocal about the court’s lack of compassion for people who cannot make court dates during the day if they have jobs or other priorities that conflict. He also would like to look at the court’s spending and see if there is room to tighten the budget and redirect funds in areas that need it.
Complete Coverage
Municipal Court candidate who lost election bid after DUI charge back at work as assistant city prosecutor
It’s been five months since Municipal Court judicial candidate Adam Papini worked as a lawyer. Today, that changed.
Municipal Court judge challenger forges ahead despite DUI arrest
Adam Papini knows he’s probably not going to win, but that doesn’t bother him. What does, he said, is how his colleagues, friends and confidants assumed that when he was charged with driving under the influence in June, it automatically meant he was guilty. Even lawyers and judges, who are supposed to presume innocence until the six-letter word is spoken by a jury, or a plea deal is entered, immediately treated him differently.
Editorial: Judge Staab an easy call for Municipal Court
Incumbent Judge Tracy Staab has been a solid judge on a court known for innovation and alternatives to jail time.
City prosecutor charged with DUI makes rare public appearance at campaign forum
In a rare public appearance, city prosecutor Adam Papini chose to face a roomful of his peers to talk openly about his beleaguered campaign as a candidate for municipal court judge.
City prosecutor still on ballot after June DUI arrest
A city prosecutor arrested for DUI in June remains on the ballot for a municipal court judge position despite all signs pointing to an abandoned campaign.
Spokane city prosecutor vying for municipal court judge seat remains on leave following DUI arrest
Adam Papini, a city prosecutor running for a municipal court judge seat who was
Spokane city prosecutor running for municipal court judge seat arrested Sunday after allegedly driving drunk
A Spokane city attorney running for a municipal court judge seat was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence Sunday in Cheney.
Spokane’s community court expands to Browne’s Addition, Cliff-Cannon
After three years operating downtown, Spokane’s community court is reaching into new neighborhoods and eyeing a second location.