Gregoire yet to name new judge
Six others to handle Harris’ cases until successor appointed
Friday, January 1, 2010
Gov. Chris Gregoire has not named a replacement for Clark County Superior Court Judge Robert Harris, who left office in December in accordance with the state’s mandatory retirement for judges.
A spokeswoman for the governor’s office said a “busy season for the governor” has prolonged the hiring process, which was supposed to conclude at the end of November.
“I think it’s just taking time to get through interviews,” said spokeswoman Karina Shagren.
Shagren did not have a timeline for when the position will be filled and would just say Gregoire is “very aware” the judgeship is still vacant.
In the meantime, six Superior Court judges will divvy up Harris’ pending cases this month, said Superior Court Judge Roger Bennett.
Harris, acting as a pro tem judge, will handle certain juvenile cases and continue to preside over a murder case when it goes to trial Jan. 25.
A long list of candidates have puts their hats in the ring to be the judge’s successor. Among them: Court Commissioners Daniel Stahnke and Carin Schienberg, District Court Judge Richard Melnick and attorneys David Gregerson, Peter Fels and Mark Baum.
In September, members of the Clark County Bar Association endorsed Stahnke in a preference poll.
Appointed to the bench in 1979 by Gov. Dixy Lee Ray, Harris was the longest-serving judge in the state. In October, he turned 75, the mandatory retirement age for judges in Washington.
Harris’ successor will have to stand for election this year.
Superior Court judges have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $75,000, divorces and probate cases, among other legal issues. They currently earn $148,836 a year.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
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