Court pair lack empathy

A judge should have empathy. I was chagrined to see editorial endorsements for both of the justices of the Washington Supreme Court who are running for re-election.

Neither of these justices demonstrates much empathy. In McClarty v. Totem Electric in 2006, Justice James Johnson rewrote the state law against discrimination to narrowly define the definition of “disabled,” contrary to 30 years of decisions, and making it nearly impossible for anyone to assert a claim for disability discrimination. Justice Richard Sanders happily concurred. The Legislature was outraged and passed a law in 2007 overturning McClarty by a large majority, the ultimate rebuke of one branch of government by another.

In 2008, both justices voted against a woman who had lost her job because she took time off to move her five children to a shelter after her husband beat her son (Danny v. Laidlaw Transit Services). Both justices took the position that there was no public policy in Washington to protect domestic violence survivors. Fortunately, a majority of the justices disagreed.

Johnson and Sanders have opponents, Rumbaugh and Wiggins, who are extremely well qualified and can interpret the law while retaining respect and empathy for citizens. Vote to replace Johnson and Sanders.

William J. Powell

Spokane