Grant County judge seeking re-election

John Antosz trumpets hard work in bid for second full term

Citing a willingness to work hard to be fair, Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz announced his plan to seek re-election for his seat on the bench.

"I have not avoided making difficult decisions," Antosz said in a news

release. "I believe the people of Grant County have benefited from this work in that they not only have a judge who works hard for them, but who has acquired skills which can only be gained through such experience and work."

In an interview, Antosz added: "A lazy judge is a poor judge."

Antosz was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke in October 1999 for the newly created judgeship in Grant County. He was then elected in 2000 to a four-year term.

Since that time, he has presided over 40 jury trials and served 16 months in juvenile court. Antosz was the presiding judge of the superior court in 2002 and 2003.

Antosz named other qualities he feels are important for a judge to possess: kindness, patience, promptness, moral courage and the ability to communicate.

Though the judgeship is a political position, Antosz said he sees it as a job where all decisions made must be based on evidence.

That's a big reason why voters should choose him, he said.

People "know when they come in court, the law is followed," Antosz said.

He encouraged voters to speak with attorneys, clerks and others who observe court daily to get a better picture of how the system works.

The biggest issue facing the Superior Court, Antosz said, is trying to find the money to pay for indigent criminal defense ~ an issue affecting courts across the country.

Antosz said if elected, he hopes to continue working with county commissioners in trying to find the funds to provide indigent services.

Antosz graduated from Gonzaga University Law School in 1984, and he worked 15 years of private practice in Ephrata before his appointment to the bench.

In 2001, he graduated from the three-week general jurisdiction course for judges at the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada.