Rep. Matt Manweller and the Washington Supreme Court vote

While it doesn’t get the same airplay and fanfare as other races and initiatives on the ballot this November 8, the Washington Supreme Court could have three judge seats changing hands for the first time in years.

According to State Representative Matt Manweller, the call for change on the Washington Supreme Court is not as simple as Republican versus Democrat, as he explained when he joined the Dori Monson Show.

Where is the criticism for the Washington Supreme Court coming from?

“It’s not just my criticism, it’s a bi-partisan criticism,” explained Manweller. “Ex-Democratic Governors, ex-Republican Governors, ex-Democratic Attorney Generals, ex-Republican Attorney Generals; they’ve all criticized the incumbents, saying ‘Look, you’ve got to go back to following the law, following the constitution and leaving your personal political views out of it.'”

Manweller points to the charter school decision in Washington as a prime example of a ruling “completely divorced from the statute or the constitution” that received sharp criticism from then-Governor Christine Gregoire all the way on down.

According to Manweller, there are just “certain things judges should never do” such as getting involved with tax policy and spending policy.

“And they should never threaten their own citizens with shutting schools down if they don’t get what they want,” he said, referencing Olympia’s recent failed income tax proposal.

Who’s often on the losing side of the Supreme Court in Washington?

“The little guy almost never wins in our courts, anymore,” Manweller said. “If you’re a radical environmentalist, you always win. If you don’t like charter schools or you need a pension, trust me, the state employees are going to win, the teachers unions are going to win, the environmentalists are going to win. If you challenge a state agency, I don’t even need to read the decision. I can just tell you the state agency is going to win.”

Why is this election so important and why are the incumbents nervous?

“No one has checked them in 10 years. No one has challenged them in 10 years,” cited Manweller. “Now we’re at least having these discussions.”

Who should you vote for?

“I’m encouraging people to vote for David DeWolf, David Larson and Greg Zempel. Or as I like to say: two Daves and a Greg.”

“Where you can see it the most is where decisions have changed over time,” Manweller said. “How is it that the two thirds tax requirement was constitutional for 30 years and all of a sudden it wasn’t? The law didn’t change. The constitution didn’t change. All that changed was the justices.”

Manweller summed up his view of the Washington Supreme Court, simply saying, “Lady justice is supposed to have a blindfold on it.”

The entire interview with Manweller about the Washington Supreme Court can be heard below.

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