Of the four candidates vying for state Supreme Court Position 5, Sharonda Amamilo stands apart.
Currently a Thurston County Superior Court judge, Amamilo is also a pro tem judge on the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division Two.
What earns Amamilo The Times’ endorsement in a field of learned and qualified candidates is the breadth of her work besides her judgeship, as well as her professional background.
The many boards and task forces on which she has served include: Department of Children, Youth and Families Oversight Board; Washington State Joint Legislative Jail Standards Task Force; the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission and others.
“Boots on the ground matters,” she told the editorial board. “It’s that knowledge of systems that I will take to the Supreme Court. I didn’t just sit in my tower once the people elected me. I made myself available to the other stakeholders in the system.”
Amamilo’s 360-degree view of the judicial system and its impacts will serve Washingtonians well.
Also noteworthy is Amamilo’s experience providing representation for youth in child welfare court proceedings and serving as a public defender in Thurston County.
She also served in military intelligence in the U.S. Army Reserve, including as a certified intelligence oversight officer and senior intelligence leader.
Amamilo believes in the importance of legal precedent. She said her judicial philosophy is contained in four words: facts, issues, rules and exceptions.
When the court issued an order last year reducing the caseloads for public defenders across the state, Amamilo said she would have taken the time with her fellow justices so they understood the heavy costs incurred by poorer counties to balance indigent defense with other public safety and budgetary needs.
“My approach is to make sure it (the order) is based on the sound foundation of information. And then, secondarily, to have this conversation amongst my colleagues about the ripple effects on rural counties, because it is a real thing.”
Position 5 became vacant when Barbara Madsen retired before her term expired earlier this year. Gov. Bob Ferguson named Theo Angelis to replace her. Angelis, a Seattle-based litigator, worked with Gov. Bob Ferguson more than 20 years ago, before the governor sought public office.
Now running as an incumbent, Angelis told the editorial board that the court should be wary of overstepping its bounds. We agree.
The others in the race are Seattle attorney Greg Miller and former Federal Way municipal court judge Dave Larson.
All the hopefuls for Position 5 are thoughtful, serious people who would bring much to the state Supreme Court. Voters should elect Sharonda Amamilo for her legal experience and wide view of state government.
