Thompson A Supreme Court Candidate Judge Thinks Geographic Balance Key; Four Women From Seattle Area On List

Appeals Court Judge Philip Thompson of Spokane is the only Eastern Washington candidate for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.

His candidacy forces Gov. Mike Lowry to answer this question: If qualifications are equal, what’s more important - gender or geography?

The four other contenders for the vacancy on the state’s highest court are women, but all of them are from the Seattle area.

The nine-member Supreme Court historically has had three justices from Eastern Washington, but now Richard Guy of Spokane is the only East Sider. Two justices are women.

In making the appointment, the gender issue may be of political significance to the Democratic governor, who remains under a cloud of criticism over allegations of sexual harassment.

Jordan Dey, the governor’s acting press secretary, confirmed Tuesday that the selection process was under way, but would not disclose names of applicants.

The governor is expected to interview finalists and make the appointment to the Supreme Court before the end of the month.

The appointee will face statewide election this fall, and likely will have opposition.

Justice Bob Utter, who has been on the court since 1971, announced his retirement last week. He used the occasion for a stinging denouncement of the death penalty.

Thompson, who has held various judicial posts in Spokane since 1972, confirmed Tuesday that he is applying for Utter’s seat.

Known for his wit and avocation as an emcee at roasts, Thompson is highly regarded by his fellow judges and the bar.

“I like it here in Spokane, but moving to Olympia is the only way I’ll get to the court of final appeals,” Thompson said.

“I really don’t know if gender will be a bigger factor than geographical diversity,” Thompson said.

Thompson first served as a Spokane County District Court judge, before moving up to Superior Court in 1978.

Currently, the 61-year-old jurist is elected to a $101,900-year seat on the state Court of Appeals division based in Spokane.

The move to the Supreme Court would give Thompson a $7,900-a-year raise.

Other contenders reportedly include King County Superior Court Judges Anne Ellington and Faith Enyeart Ireland, who ran unsuccessfully for a Supreme Court seat last year.

Also seeking the appointment are Judge Rosselle Pekelis of the state Court of Appeals division in Seattle, and Janice Niemi, a former legislator and Seattle attorney.

Pekelis confirmed her candidacy Tuesday and said she is touting her experience, not her gender.

“I’m a judge and I don’t think in terms of those political questions,” she said when asked about gender and geography considerations for the appointment.

Pekelis, 56, said she and “my good friend and colleague” Thompson should be considered the front-runners because both have appeals court experience.

But Thompson said his Eastern Washington roots should help balance the geographical flavor of the court.

Utter’s successor “should be somebody other than a candidate from the Interstate 5 corridor” of Western Washington, Thompson said.

MEMO: Janice Niemi’s name was spelled incorrectly in the published version. Her last name was spelled Neimi.