Photo Credit: friendsofjustice.com
Sanders is seeking a return to the Washington State Supreme Court. He recently addressed the Washington State Republican Party Convention in Tacoma.
The Executive Committee of the Washington State Republican Party unanimously endorsed Richard Sanders for the Washington State Supreme Court.
Liberty, the rule of law, and protection of individual rights drive Sanders to run for the open seat on the court, created by the retirment of Tom Chambers (who is also endorsing Sanders.) He previously lost re-election to the court in 2010, when he received 49.6% of the vote in the statewide race. His current two principal challengers have in the past run as Democrats (Hilyer for King County Executive, and Ladenburg who ran for Attorney General and lost to Rob McKenna.)
Sanders has only run for the judiciary, never seeking partisan office. He heard over 1700 cases, and wrote over 600 opinions during his previous time on the Supreme Court.
Some “controversial” views that Sanders holds are that you have a constitutional right to own property and actually use it. He believes you also have the right to develop your property. Sanders has endorsements from the Gun Action League and the NRA. He is also a champion of religious liberty, and a proponent of open government.
The interior of the Wasington State Supreme Court (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Washington Association of Business, The Rental Housing Association, and the Washington State Realtor Association have all endorsed Sanders for the Supreme Court.
Sanders also believes in the rights of citizens to have issue initiatives and referendums stating “it’s in the state constitution you know!” He decried the recent decision of the court that says citizens can not put the issue of red light cameras on a referendum.
If one supreme court candidate gets over 50% of the vote in the primary, only one name goes on the general election ballot. Sanders joked that this is sort of a communist style election practice, putting only one name on the election ballot, then added “but if I was the only name on the ballot, I would like it.”
The primary election is August 7; voters should begin receiving ballots in the mail during the month of July.
Listen to his speech here:
