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Patricia Todd (Kittitas County Superior Court Position 2, Washington, candidate 2024)
From Ballotpedia
Patricia Todd ran for election to the Kittitas County Superior Court Position 2 in Washington. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Todd completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Patricia Todd provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2024:
- Birth place: Everett, Washington
- High school: Marysville Pilchuck Highschool
- Bachelor's: Central Washington University, 2001
- J.D.: Gonzaga University School of Law, 2006
- Gender: Female
- Profession: Attorney
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Committed to the Community
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
General election for Kittitas County Superior Court Position 2
James Kirkham and Patricia Todd ran in the general election for Kittitas County Superior Court Position 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| James Kirkham (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Patricia Todd (Nonpartisan)  | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
To view Todd's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Todd in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Patricia Todd completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Todd's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I offer Kittitas County 18 years of legal practice at the highest level. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants in both civil and criminal proceedings. Currently, as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Criminal Division I practice in Kittitas County.
My experience is broad and deep. I have represented criminal defendants and prosecuted criminal defendants for three years. As Senior Counsel I practiced throughout the State of Washington. I have brought forward plaintiff civil cases and defended defendant civil cases for fifteen years. I have represented social workers in dependency and termination proceedings for two years. My practice also included doing family law and worker’s compensation. The range of cases include cases with over $100 million dollars of risk, the most serious felonies, parental rights, worker’s rights, and cases involving death. I am a life-long resident of Washington State and first moved to Ellensburg in 1996. I met and married my husband at Central Washington University. We married in 2006 in Ellensburg. We were married in the same church as my grandparents 55 years earlier, who also met at Central Washington University. My paternal grandmother grew up in Throp. My in-laws also went to CWU and my father in law is a Bulldog graduate from the 1970s. It is my dream to serve Kittitas County as a Superior Court Judge so that I can contribute directly to our community. I want Kittitas to have the very best this county has to offer.
- We want to elect Patricia Todd for Judge because she has the experience in complex civil cases. She is experienced in complex and high risk cases in civil practice. Developed 15 years of vast civil experience defending the state in a $100 million dollar case in a four month trial. Recovered over $22 million for the State in the Skagit River Bridge collapse. She has also practiced criminal defense work, family law, and worker's’ compensation cases. Kittitas County needs her depth and breadth of civil experience because two thirds of all cases filed in our county are civil. Patricia Todd is the candidate with 15 years of experience in complex civil cases. Patricia Todd bringing that depth and breadth of legal experience our county needs.
- We want elect Patricia Todd for Judge because she has done both criminal prosecution and criminal defense. Examples: Currently serves as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Criminal division prosecuting drug and violent crimes for the past year. Patricia Todd also serves as the Prosecutor's representative on Drug Court which aims at reducing future criminal activity. She also started her practice doing criminal defense. Patricia Todd is the candidate who has both prosecution and defense experience enabling her to see both sides of the issues.
- We want to elect Patricia Todd for Judge because she vast experience in legal procedures and has common sense. Examples: Patricia Todd is in the courtroom 3 times a week crafting orders all the parties sign plus the judge. She has been in dozens of different venues and has a keen eye for efficiency and cost reduction. It helps that her background is in Economics and Public Policy, as a CWU graduate, also with Douglas Honors College. She graduated summa cum laude. Patricia Todd is the candidate who is smart, hardworking, and knows what she is doing.
I am personally passionate about increasing efficiency and decreasing cost of litigation. Judges can serve as a leader of being a good public servant and steward of the public's investment in our judicial system. One way to increase efficiency is to use courtroom time for substantive decisions and not for scheduling purposes. A way of decreasing costs of litigation is coordinating with the County Clerk's Office and the Office of the Administration of the Courts for Washington State to ensure we are using the technology to cut costs where we can with electronic filing and electronic service. I am a committed public servant seeking to provide the highest level of legal service.
As judges, we serve in a nonpartisan role so it would be improper to propose a political philosophy. However, judges do care deeply about the law and any book, essay, film, or other medium that increases study of the law and people will serve us all well. There are lots of public resources available including online access to our state law the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and case law from our State.
An elected official must be trustworthy in appearance and reality. This means being thoroughly prepared for all duties and executing those duties faithfully. Faithful to our laws and court rules. It also means treating all parties with respect and fostering respect of all parties throughout all facets of the litigation. A judge is a leader in the judicial system and should model and encourage a system that works for all of us equally. An elected official must also strive to be fair, honest, balanced, and demonstrate the highest level of integrity. The public puts enormous trust in elected officials and as an elected official we must honor that trust.
The core responsibilities are to work diligently and respectfully. A superior court judge could easily deal with a dozen different legal issues a day which requires operating at 100%. It is a judge's responsibility to utilize all available resources to find just results. The resources include the parties' briefs, case law, law, court rules, and colleagues. It requires a dedication to keep learning and reaching the lawful decision each time. I also requires reexamination of prior held beliefs and opinions to ensure they are consistent with the law in making sound rulings. A judge is responsible for ensuring that the public maintains a high level of trust in the legal system so that it may serve us all.
My first job earning a reportable income was a lifeguard and swim instructor for 3 years. It taught me the importance of being well trained and the benefits of ongoing training. Being a lifeguard required being fully present for the job because other people's lives were in your hands. It required the discipline of being well rested, healthy, and attune. As a swim instructor for all ages it taught me how foundational learning can be tailor to a specific audience. I enjoyed connecting to my students and seeing their progress. It is rewarding to see someone build a skill that could save their lives, a skill that is healthy, and a skill that is fun. Reflecting on this position I now better appreciate the trust the employer, employees, students, and the community placed in me. As I run for judicial office, I am honored to be poised as a well-trained attorney who is ready to serve Kittitas County and hope to earn your vote.
The position of Superior Court judge is vast. Some may not realize there are some heartwarming and wonderful aspects of the position that include when family's are reunited, when adoptions are finalized, and when marriages are performed. Superior Court judges work round the clock on a host of civil and criminal issues that are the backbone of the service needs of our community. There are also some of these brighter spots were lives change for the better. It may also be interesting to know that our community has a Drug Court where recovering addicts are sharing their journey of clean and sober living inside a court proceeding. These proceedings are supportive and encouraging to all participants, including the judge. These proceedings are quite unlike any other court proceeding because the defendant speaks directly to the judge candidly and the judge praises and points out where growth occurs. These are just a few of the lesser-known roles of a Superior Court judge.
My legal philosophy is rooted in common sense. Our system works when we all have an understanding of what is expected and what the consequences could be when those expectations are not met. Judges need to be able to translate the law to the parties in a manner that is understandable and fair. Otherwise, the pubic could lose faith in our judicial system. My philosophy is to treat others with respect, be prepared, and to be responsive. It does no one any good if the judge cannot translate a ruling into information that the parties can understand and accept. The way to do that is to full review all case materials, fully research the case, and fully hear out the parties. Then the parties can be satisfied they had an opportunity to be heard and the result followed the law.
I deeply admire the judges who have served Kittitas County throughout the years. While I have learned directly from Judge Scott Sparks and Judge Candance Hooper, I have also learned through experiences of others of the county's prior judges. This County has a history of electing judges who serve at the highest level. That service included exceptionally smart judges who exuded compassion. They did this by listening keenly to others. Kittitas County Judges have a history of taking the time to directly share their rulings with the parties in a way that the parties feel heard and understood. Our judges demonstrate respect in the courtroom from top to bottom. Our judges ensure they are pronouncing names the correct way all the way to verifying the judge has all the materials to deliver a just decision. I wish to be the type of judge our county has traditionally elected--smart, dedicated, and rooted in common sense.
Empathy is an important quality for a judge because we are all part of the community together. A judge must remain a neutral at all times and not demonstrate any leanings to one party or another.
It is my dream to serve Kittitas County as a Superior Court Judge so that I can contribute directly to our community. I want Kittitas to have the very best this county has to offer so that we can live in a community of fairness, accountability, and justice. I believe I have the compassion, common sense, and intellect to perform at the highest level.
My varied background in complex cases positions me to serve in a way that permits litigants to be fully and fairly heard. I am accustomed to working hard and serving as a public servant. My wide range of experience also provides me with an ability to see each side of an issue in an effort to craft the right result under the law. I have the heart of a public servant and deeply desire to serve our community in a way that improves all of our lives. I can provide certainty, predictability, and most importantly an opportunity to be fairly heard
My varied background in complex cases positions me to serve in a way that permits litigants to be fully and fairly heard. I am accustomed to working hard and serving as a public servant. My wide range of experience also provides me with an ability to see each side of an issue in an effort to craft the right result under the law. I have the heart of a public servant and deeply desire to serve our community in a way that improves all of our lives. I can provide certainty, predictability, and most importantly an opportunity to be fairly heard
I believe it is beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government to best understand how to serve the public. Service to others is a skill and like most skills it improves with practice. I have 16 years of service to our government as a public servant. I am proud of my proven ability to do the right thing and represent the greatest good. It is an honor to serve others.
The greatest opportunity for the legal system in Washington to elect the most qualified and experienced tto be our judges. Judges have a direct impact on our community and the public has great opportunity to elect those with the best qualifications. These decisions may seem small to an individual voter, however, collectively when we elect the most qualified judicial candidates we ensure a bright future. Our State is growing in population and economy which puts added strain on our communities. We need judges to who can respond appropriately to the demands within the legal system.
I wish to serve Kittitas County for as long as the voters see fit for me to serve. It is the Kittitas Superior Court that appeals to me the most as a court of general jurisdiction it officers a variety of issues in both criminal and civil law. I wish to develop a deep well of knowledge so that I may serve Kittitas at the highest level.
Q: What do you call a cow with no legs? A: Ground beef!
The most important endorsement is YOU!
In the meantime, these individuals have already endorsed me:
The Honorable Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese
Jeff Scherer (Roslyn City Council)
Zachary and Maria Williams
Sydnee Sterkel
Margie Alumbaugh
Bart Olson (retired WSP Sgt.)
Jill Gunderson
Kim Funston
Mary Morgan
Doug Mitchell
Berle Figgins
Lynn Brewer
Chelsea Marozik
Financial transparency and government accountability are of keen importance. The government's role is to serve the people which includes being accountable for the decision made and money spent. If we are to have trust and faith in our government we need to be able to access the workings of government. There are entire chapters of state law dedicated to access to public records and how public servants should conduct themselves. Our legislature has outlined priorities that financial transparency and government accountability should be accessible to all. I agree.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
