Sitting judges often run unopposed in Spokane County, while open seats usually attract a crowd. This off-year election was needed to fill the seat of the late Judge Sam Cozza who died earlier this year and attracted three candidates.

In ballots counted Tuesday night, Tony Hazel, a deputy prosecutor appointed to the seat in May was easily in first, with 51 percent of the vote.

Jocelyn Cook, a deputy public defender was edging J. Scott Miller, an attorney with some three decades in private practice, for the right for the other spot on the November ballot/Jim Camden, SR. More here.

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