The final tallies for the 2018 Judicial elections are completed.
Erik Rohrer won the election for the part time position in the “Forks Court”, Clallam County District Court #2. He defeated attorney John Black 50.49% to 49.51%. Judge Rohrer, received 1,431 votes and John Black received 1,403, a 28 vote margin. Judge Rohrer is currently a sitting judge in the Clallam County Superior Court and will presumably step down from that position on January 14, 2019, and assume the position in Forks. (Note, a recount was requested by John Black. The recount was conducted by hand. On December 7, 2018, the Clallam County Auditor certified the vote totals were unchanged after the recount and Erik Rohrer was confirmed the winner of the election.)
Dave Neupert defeated Suzanne Hayden in the race for Clallam County District Court #1 in Port Angeles. The vote was 16,524 to 15,804, or 51.11% to 48.89%.
In races for positions on the Washington State Supreme Court, Susan Owens was unopposed and re-elected to the #2 position she has held. Ms. Owens was formerly a judge in the Forks Court. Sheryl McCloud was elected without opposition to position #9. Incumbent Steven Gonzalez defeated challenger Nathan Choi, 20,339 to 10,771, or 65.44% to 34.56%.
Judge Christopher Melly will be retiring on December 31, 2018, and Family Court Commissioner Brent Basden has been appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to fill his position. Commissioner Basden will become Judge Basden on January 1, 2018.
The Commissioner position is filled by appointment from the Clallam County Superior Court judges, and applications are currently being taken.
After the first vote counting, Judge Rohrer tendered his resignation from his Superior Court position effective January 14, 2019. Governor Inslee will be appointing someone to fill Judge Rohrer’s position.
This is a time of big change for the Clallam County court system, as new judges will fill 5 of the 6 positions (as identified above).