Tri-City Herald

Endorsements

Superior Court: Bruce Spanner

Sunday, October 5, 2008 — Choosing a candidate in the Superior Court race will require the wisdom of Solomon.

Bruce Spanner and Sal Mendoza are both good, solid candidates with a wealth of experience and unquestionable integrity.

Either would make a good judge, but this editorial board finds in favor of Spanner.

After sitting across the room from both men in an hourlong interview, we were impressed with their qualifications and experience.

They're both lawyers with longtime practices in the Tri-Cities. The chief difference is that Spanner works mainly with civil cases and Mendoza works mainly in criminal court.

Both men will be at home in their area of expertise but would require some extra homework in cases outside their field.

We don't see that as distinguishing either candidate.

Both are Benton County boys. Spanner is from Richland and Mendoza from Prosser -- which makes hometown connections another wash.

A significant difference, however, is that Spanner has more than twice the years of experience that Mendoza has -- 24 compared with 11.

Both have served as judge pro tem.

Both have important endorsements. Spanner has the backing of Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna and state Sen. Jerome Delvin. He's even got the support of his primary election opponent, Jeri Potts.

Mendoza also has some impressive endorsements -- including Judge Dennis Yule, Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim and Benton County Sheriff Larry Taylor and both of the county prosecutors.

It's an impressive list. But because a judge has to be impartial, we find the endorsement of law enforcement for judges a little disconcerting. Although to be fair, Mendoza has the endorsement of some big-name defense attorneys too.

Here's where we need King Solomon.

Although we were impressed by Mendoza and his demeanor, we also really admire Bruce Spanner, both for his credentials and his commitment to community service.

Spanner has an amiable personality. He's well connected to the community and knows the heart and mind of the Tri-Cities.

The week that we spoke with Spanner, he had made breakfast for men at a homeless shelter and helped on a Habitat for Humanity house.

While both men have made a career of studying the law, Spanner has been doing it longer, giving him an edge, in our judgment.

All in all, it's a close call.

Regardless of which man takes Judge Yule's place on the bench, the citizens of Benton and Franklin counties should be well served.

The Herald recommends Bruce Spanner for Superior Court judge.

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