At the recent League of Women Voters candidates forum on Orcas, one of the most disturbing statements emerged in the race for district court judge, between Carolyn Jewett and Steve Brandli. Brandli admitted that if elected he would keep open his private law practice “for transactions.”

Do we really want a judge who has a private law practice and all the potential conflicts that presents? Is Brandli just looking at the judgeship as a way to supplement his income? Is this not evidence of injudicious judgment?

My sense prior to the forum was that Carolyn Jewett is the superior candidate. I now have no doubt that Carolyn Jewett should be our next district court judge. I urge you to vote for her.

Richard Grout

San Juan Island