Most qualified

Ballots are in the hands of Whitman County voters, and there is a very important primary race to be decided. I am voting for John Hart for Whitman County District Court judge, and I strongly encourage others to do so as well.

I believe John Hart is, by far, the most qualified candidate. John Hart is currently the Colfax Municipal Court judge and the only candidate with significant judicial experience. He is endorsed by Judge Douglas Robinson, the man who has held the district court judge position for 18 years, and someone whom I have a great deal of respect for.

Looking at Judge Hart’s resume, he is the only candidate who has experience on all sides of the law, from interning in a prosecutor’s office, to being a public defender and having his own practice. He is also the only candidate that has experience as a sitting judge and the only one that has heard all the cases routinely heard in district court.

In addition to his experience, I have spoken with Judge Hart about the way in which he runs a courtroom. Judge Hart believes in understanding the person and what brings them into the courtroom. He does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, instead realizing people have a wide variety of circumstances that cause them to come before him. I appreciate this view, and have confidence in Judge Hart’s ability to be fair, patient and respectful of everyone who appears before him.

Judge Hart has volunteered in this community for the past several years, and I have seen first hand how much he has enjoyed getting to know the voters these past few months. When I have spoken to him about this campaign, he talks about how he has been energized by meeting people throughout the county.

Please vote for John H. Hart for Whitman County District Court judge.

--Alanna Hatley Ellis, Pullman