Prosecutor challenges presiding judge

Kittitas County Prosecutor Greg Zempel visited La Conner last week to meet people as he campaigns for a seat on Washington’s highest court.

He is challenging Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, who has been on the Washington Supreme Court bench since 1992 and has been presiding judge since 2009.

Zempel, 53, was first elected to his position as Kittitas County Prosecutor in 1994 and said he wants to serve on the Supreme Court because he believes the current bench is becoming “too political.”

He said he believes the Supreme Court should uphold the constitutional rights of crime victims as well as the rights of defendants and also uphold the will and intent of the state Legislature to ensure justice for everyone.

Zempel’s campaign claims endorsements by many of the state’s county prosecutors, including Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Rich Weyrich. During Thursday’s informal visit, the Supreme Court candidate walked along La Conner’s boardwalk, chatted with Mayor Ramon Hayes and met several other local residents.