There is a wild and crazy judicial race in Snohomish County. Five (count 'em, 5) candidates are in a free for all for one vacant seat. No primary, no run off. At a recent forum all the candidates forgot about us, the public, in a forum in Stanwood.

The candidates argued about issues that nobody cared about. The forum was punctuated with snickers after all the candidates attacked Tessandore for stating that Snohomish County voters trust lawyers and judges, and that voters should vote for him based on a poll of Snohomish County lawyers. Even Wilson, Peterson, and Hulbert could be seen chuckling when Tessandore claimed lawyers were trusted. Hulber noted that the Bar Association poll was a "sham." Wilson asserted that the poll was tainted by Tessandore being president of the bar association and through some type of voter misconduct by the Prosecutor's Office.

The other issue that created heat was Tessandore's assertion that David Hulbert was "affidavited more than any Snohomish County Judge." Nobody every explained what "affidavited" means. As the audience chuckled in disbelief, all the candidates argued among themselves. Hulbert got the final word when he stated that none of the candidates had ever "affidavited" him. If being affidavited is bad, why hadn't those attorneys affidavited Hulbert? Peterson was the only candidate to directly respond, stating that he had never affidavited a judge.

Analysis:

David Hulbert: Who really cares if David Hulbert previously was a judge and was voted of office in 2004, or that he failed to win a race against Judge Lucas in 2008. What is a concern is his failure to address issues related to an arrest for drunk driving, and his biggest regret being that his license was suspended for one year for failing to take a breathalyzer. Hulbert appears to be the favorite of conservatives, but there are moderates (Scott Peterson and possibly Scott Lord) that should please both Democrats and Republicans.

Scott Lord: Scott Lord appears to be far to the left, along with Joe Wilson and Rico Tessandore. But a close review of his record reveals some Republican leanings. Its hard to tell, but Scott Lord may be slightly to the right of Tessandore and Wilson, but is solidly in the left wing. Still, Scott Lord may pull a large number of left wing voters, and a good portion of the moderate voters, but not enough to win the election. Tessandore has called Scott Lord his friend, and Scott Lord appears to have ceased to actively campaign. He may have withdrawn from the race.

Scott Peterson: Scott Peterson is virtually unknown locally. He has prevailed in 9 out of 10 appeals in Snohomish County this year, prior to filing for judge. This is the best record of any civil attorney in Snohomish County, and of the other candidates. Peterson claims to have represented hundreds of parties in civil suits, and internet reviews of court records in dicate this is true. Scott Peterson is the only lawyer to acknowledge suing other lawyers. Good asset in our opinion. Scott Peterson's strong point is that he appears to be the only moderate in the race. Tessandore, Wilson, and Lord all appear to be far more liberal than most Snohomish County Democrats. David Hulbert appears to be far too conservative for everybody in Snohomish County, and is probably unelectable due to his reputation on the bench, and misgivings by Republicans about voting for him. Petersons excellent appellate record, and willingness to sue lawyers, makes him the best choice for moderates and conservatives, and everybody except for the few hundred far left wing democrats.

Rico Tessandore: Tessandore is dogged by his lack of candor about his employer. It takes much detective work to learn that the "small business" he claims to work for is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States: Farmers Insurance. Only the Everett Herald has reported this, it certainly is not disclosed in any of Tessandore's materials. The Everett Herald endorsed Joe Wilson, so it should be no surprise that the Herald assisted in "outing" Tessandore. Tessandore lacks the experience of all the other candidates, only ten years as a lawyer. What Tessandore lacks in experience and charisma he attempts to make up in fundraising. Tessandore has outspent all the other candidates combined. Tessandore has many endorsements, but most ring hollow and appear to be political paybacks for supporting Judge Appel against Joe Wilson in 2008. Tessandore also has a skeleton in the closet related to alleged attacks on police officers when he was in the prosecutor's office. Tessandore has not adequately explained his departure from the prosecutor's office. Tessandore was recently served with a cease and desist order by the Elections Office. This order appears to be a dirty trick perpetrated by the Snohomish County Young Democrats. The Young Democrats have openly supported and campaigned for Joe Wilson.

Joe Wilson: Wilson is having a tough time fending off allegations related to numerous DUI arrests and alcohol related negligent driving tickets. Wilson has been sober for many years according to campaign aides, but the issue continues to dog him at every forum. Wilson has a background in civil law, family law, criminal law, and two appeals cases. Wilson has the backing of Democratic leaders, but he appears to be to the left of even the Democratic leaders. Wilson promotes a family tradition of civil service (his father was a judge). Its unsure if voters will accept Wilson's assertion that he acquired his fathers judicial skills through osmosis.

Insiders report fighting between Tessandore and Wilson over the far left wing of the Democratic party leadership. This fighting may damage both candidates. It appears that this fighting will allow Peterson to win the election by taking the some liberal, most moderate and the bulk of conservative votes. This of course depends on the right wingers acknowledging that its better to elect a moderate that is acceptable to the Democrats (Peterson), that to vote for the un-electable conservative (Hulbert).

Early reports from the County Elections Office indicate that this judicial race is leading to a much higher than expected return rate on ballots. That office expects to set records for an election the year after a Presidential election. This is traced solely to this hotly contested judicial election.

If anybody has more inside information, please comment. This race is not getting a lot of publicity. It appears to be more of a campaign of signs. There is not a piece of real estate in Snohomish County that doesn't have a judge campaign sign.