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Candace Hooper
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Candace Hooper is the Position 1 judge on the Kittitas County Superior Court in Washington. She won the seat in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Biography
Hooper earned her bachelor's degree in classical archaeology from Harvard University in 1980. She later received her J.D. from the University of Washington. Hooper has been the chief deputy prosecutor at the Kittitas County Prosecutor's Office since 1987.[1]
Campaign themes
2016
Hooper participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I have nearly thirty years of courtroom experience as a trial and appellate attorney. I am in the courtroom most days working with, arguing in front of, and observing the work of judges of all kinds. I am very experienced with legal research and with learning and understanding the constantly changing laws and legal concepts of all different areas of law. I have a thorough grasp of the rules of evidence and procedure and am proficient in knowing how to look up and learn the things I don't know. What is equally important is that I have also learned to listen closely to and treat respectfully all kinds of people from all walks of life. A prosecutor has a quasi judicial role and must be careful to consider both the state's case and the defense before even charging cases. Although the prosecutor will be a zealous advocate in trial, a prosecutor is unique in being expected to carefully protect and preserve everyone's rights and to promote justice and fairness to all.
As an attorney with considerable appellate experience, I have had to analyze and understand and argue about the various claimed errors judges may make in trials. After nearly thirty years of defending judge's rulings in the courtroom, I have an excellent sense of what judges should and should not do in court.[2][3] |
” |
When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am committed to maintaining a high level of judiciary in Kittitas County. As much as I have loved my job, I am ready to leave my role as advocate and embrace a larger view of the justice system, both criminal and civil. I believe I have a lot to offer the people of Kittitas County and I would like the challenge and responsibilities of hearing cases of all types. Judges have a broad-reaching impact on individuals in this state and community, and I would like to have that positive impact.[2][3] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I admired Judge Michael Cooper for his ability to control the courtroom and his judicial presence. I have also admired our current judges as well as visiting judges for qualities of common sense, fairness, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness.[2][3] | ” |
When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | My primary concern over the years has been a disappointing sense that common sense is all too often missing in the application of laws on a statewide basis, as well as an uneasy feeling that access to justice is prohibitively expensive for many.[2][3] | ” |
Hooper included the following additional comments in her survey responses:
| “ |
I hope to bring both common sense and proportionality to our legal system. In order for a legal system to be effective, it must have the respect of the people, and it must earn that respect by applying the law with fundamental fairness and common sense to everyone. Any new judge will have a lot to learn. I promise to work hard, to treat everyone with respect, and to listen carefully to all sides. [3] |
” |
| —Candace Hooper (2016), [2] | ||
Additional themes
Hooper provided the following statement for the Washington general election voters pamphlet:
| “ |
The Superior Court Judge position requires a person of integrity and fundamental fairness, who loves the study of law, and who has the requisite ability to use basic logic and common sense to apply the law to the facts of people's cases. I have a commitment to the rule of law and to making that law work in our society. Over the course of nearly 30 years, I have gained that sense of proportionality and justice, treating all with respect, which will serve the community in such a critical role. I have handled both criminal and civil matters in Superior Court, personally trying hundreds of fact-finding and criminal cases before different judges, as well as arguing countless motions and appeals. My experience with felony prosecutions, juvenile cases, dependency and child abuse cases, misdemeanors, paternity, and child support matters have given me a solid basis in law. I love what I do, but believe I have even more to contribute to the citizens of our County and State. With hard work and an eagerness for learning, I pledge myself to serve the people of Kittitas County with integrity and diligence through the future's inevitable and upcoming challenges.[4][3] |
” |
| —Candace Hooper (2016) | ||
Elections
2016
Washington held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. Candidates for district and superior court seats had to file for election by May 20, 2016. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2016, for six seats where more than two candidates filed for election. Candace Hooper defeated Chris Herion in the Kittitas Superior Court nonpartisan general election for Position 1.[5]
| Kittitas Superior Court, Position 1 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Candace Hooper |
61.35% | 9,918 |
| Chris Herion | 38.65% | 6,249 |
| Total Votes | 16,167 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election Results," accessed November 13, 2016 | ||
Candace Hooper and Chris Herion defeated CK Powers in the Kittitas Superior Court nonpartisan primary for Position 1.[5]
| Kittitas Superior Court, Position 1 Nonpartisan Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Candace Hooper |
50.51% | 3,767 |
| Chris Herion |
26.33% | 1,964 |
| CK Powers | 23.16% | 1,727 |
| Total Votes | 7,458 | |
| Source: Kittitas County, "August 2, 2016 Primary," accessed August 3, 2016 | ||
Selection method
For more information about judicial selection processes in each state, click here.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Candace Hooper," accessed June 13, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Candace Hooper's Responses," June 26, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Voters Pamphlet," accessed October 24, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 21, 2016
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington
State courts:
Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts • Washington Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington
