Clallam County Bar

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).

District Court II election results will be certified at 8:15 on Friday, December 7, 2018, according to the Auditor’s office. The recount process includes a number of methods to ensure accuracy of the vote. All ballots from the geographic voting area are first pulled by election officials who aren’t told how many they should be finding, and the total number is checked against the computer record for accuracy. Then the ballots are organized by precinct, and then two officials independently count all the ballots from the precinct. Their totals are privately written down and then the two totals are compared for accuracy.

Clallam County Court Commissioner position is being vacated by W. Brent Basden who was appointed by Gov. Inslee to be a Superior Court judge. Applications for the position are being taken now and must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on December 12, 2018. Application information is below.

Court Commissioner Announcement 2018

Court Commissioner Job Description 2018

W. Brent Basden has been appointed to the Clallam County Superior Court by Gov. Jay Inslee, effective January 1, 2019. Commission Basden has served tirelessly as Clallam County Superior Court Commissioner (Family Court Commissioner) since 2008. Prior to that he operated a private law practice primarily in the areas of family criminal and civil law matters.

Commissioner Basden is a graduate of Port Angeles high school, and obtained his law degree from Brigham Young University. He has taught continuing legal education courses, was involved with the Clallam County pro bono lawyers, has coached youth baseball, and is actively involved in his church.

“Brent has extensive legal experience, the respect of the lawyers who appear before him and deep roots in Clallam County. He will make an outstanding addition to the bench,” said Gov. Inslee.

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-names-w-brent-basden-clallam-county-superior-court

Judge Erik Rohrer announced his resignation from his elected position as Clallam County Superior Court Judge after winning the first vote count in the Clallam County District Court II election. Judge Rohrer defeated John Black in the election for District Court II, however there is a recount pending. Judge Rohrer’s resignation will be effective January 14, 2019.

Governor Jay Inslee will be appointing someone to fill Judge Rohrer’s position. Those interested may apply no later than December 14, 2018 at:

https://www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/judicial-appointments

Details about the Notice of Vacancy and information about applying are in this Notice of Vacancy November 2018.