Letter: Grant County lawyers support Judge Knodell

Casting a vote for judicial positions is difficult. The task is difficult because people who are running for a position on the Grant County Superior Court are limited in what they can say. People running for judge are ethically prohibited from commenting on virtually everything (see, e.g., Amy Coney Barrett at her confirmation hearing).

Because judicial candidates cannot say much, local lawyers like us experience a marked increase in phone calls and text messages for friends, family members, and clients, all of whom ask the same question: “Which judicial candidate should I vote for?” This election cycle is no different.

With respect to the local race between Judge John Knodell and his challenger, our immediate and unequivocal answer to the question is, “vote for Judge John Knodell.” Typically, the caller will ask why we support Judge Knodell. Here is our answer: he is intelligent, polite, professional, well prepared and unbiased. And, his judicial philosophy is umpire-like in that he calls the balls and strikes as he sees them. He does not use the bench to impose on others his personal views.

The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates aptly described the essential qualities of a good judge: “Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly and to decide impartially.” For the last 12 years, Judge Knodell has displayed these characteristics, and as a result he has earned our respect and our votes. We encourage you to vote for him.

Nick Wallace

Stephen Reagan

Ken Chadwick

Ephrata