08/20/2008

By MANUEL VALDES  / Associated Press

The two Washington state Supreme Court justices in contested races have essentially clinched re-election.

Justices Mary Fairhurst and Charles Johnson each got more than the 50 percent margin needed in Tuesday's primary to move unopposed to November's general election.

With about 50 percent of the expected vote counted, Johnson had 58 percent. His closest opponent, James Beecher, had 30 percent.

Fairhurst had nabbed 61 percent of the vote in early returns in her race. Her lone opponent, Michael Bond, had 38 percent.

"I'm thankful for the confidence voters put in me," Johnson said. "It's reassuring to have a good group of supporters."

Justice Debra Stephens, who was appointed in January to replace retiring Justice Bobbe Bridge, ran unopposed in the primary, so she advanced unopposed in November as well.

This year's races for the state Supreme Court did not garner as much interest as in 2006, when more than $2.1 million rolled in during that year's primary, as special interest groups tried to unseat incumbents.

In contrast, about $200,000 was raised this year.

Fairhurst has served six years on the court, and is seeking re-election to a second term. She's raised more than $100,000. Her opponent Bond is a partner in a Seattle law firm. He's raised a little more than $11,000, nearly half of which he lent to his campaign.

On Tuesday night, Fairhurst was happy with the results.

"I'm very pleased and grateful to the people of the state of Washington for returning me to the high court for another six years," she said.

Johnson, one of the longest-serving justices with 18 years on the high court bench, faced two primary challengers, but neither C.F. "Frank" Vulliet nor Beecher, both of Seattle, mounted a significant campaign.

At the state Court of Appeals level, incumbent Judge Joyce Robin Hunt led challenger Tim Ford for the bench in Division 2. With about 70 percent of the expected vote counted, Hunt nabbed more than 64 percent.

In Division 3, Kevin M. Korsmo was leading his opponent, Harvey Dunham, 53 percent to 46 percent with about 80 percent of the expected vote counted.