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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Clarke wins seat on bench with 69 percent of vote

From staff reports

Harold Clarke III will join the Spokane County Superior Court bench.

Clarke ran against attorney Gail Schwartz for Superior Court Position 8, which is held by retiring Judge Paul Bastine.

Clarke received 69 percent of the vote. All precincts had been counted, but some absentee votes have yet to be received.

Clarke and Schwartz finished first and second in the Sept. 14 primary, ahead of court Commissioner Joe Valente. Because no candidate won 50 percent of the vote, Clarke and Schwartz advanced to Tuesday’s vote. In the September race, Clarke beat Schwartz 48 percent to 29 percent.

Schwartz started her own law practice after graduating from Gonzaga Law School in 1998. Clarke worked 18 years in private practice before he was elected to a Spokane County District Court judgeship in 1998.