District Court

Thu., Oct. 29, 1998

By Tom Sowa toms@spokesman.com (509) 459-5492

The lone contested Spokane County judge’s race pits a private attorney versus a Walla Walla deputy prosecutor.

Harold Clarke III says his 18 years in private practice in civil and criminal law make him the best candidate for Spokane County District Court’s Position 6.

Walla Walla Deputy Prosecutor Jim Reierson says his extensive criminal law background gives him the edge in managing the misdemeanors and felony first appearances in District Court.

The winner of the Nov. 3 election will fill the $96,000-a-year job vacated by the retirement of District Court Judge Daniel Maggs.

Reierson has criticized Clarke for failing to add “III” at the end of his name to his campaign signs. He alleges Clarke is suggesting to voters that his well-known father, Harold “Pete” Clarke may be running for office. The older Clarke served as Superior Court judge for 21 years.

Clarke denies any intent to deceive voters. He also criticizes ads Reierson produced last month suggesting Clarke is supported by local defense attorneys.

He attacked the the ad’s suggestion that that criminal defendants would be treated more lightly by Clarke than Reierson.

All other District Court judges, and Spokane County Superior Court Judge Linda Tompkins, are running unopposed Nov. 3.

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