Candidates for Columbia, Garfield, Asotin Superior Court Judge

I am Vic Bottomly, a Clarkston attorney, running for Superior Court Judge of the Asotin/Columbia/Garfield Superior Court District.

Most of my career I have been a solo practice attorney assisting individuals and small businesses. From skyscraper problems to crop damage; murder cases to truants; million-dollar engineering claims to a widow's claim for bad trailer skirting-I have learned much from the judges, attorneys, and ordinary folks I have met throughout our state.

Mostly, I have learned that real people with real problems are stymied by an inefficient and cold judicial system.

The past few years have been hard on our superior courts (Asotin, Garfield, Columbia). We struggle under increased caseloads with few resources. We've had more than a year without a sitting judge. The Covid-19 pandemic compounds the burden.

Our courts need restoration.

I seek to bring stability and accountability back to our judiciary. This includes respect, impartiality, and, yes, humility toward all involved in court proceedings. I seek to balance those traits with a firm grasp of law and practice to bring our courts back to what they are meant to be.

My wife Lauren is a retired attorney. We love our community and our neighbors. When we have a chance, we go fishing too.

Please help me help us bring stability and integrity to our Courts.

Background and Experience: 27 years as a general practice trial Lawyer in courts throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Licensed in Washington since 1993. Law office in Clarkston WA since 2010 with cases in Asotin, Garfield, and Columbia Counties. Superior Court Commissioner in our three- county district. Former rancher and wheat farmer, agricultural scientist, international agricultural advisor in Middle East.

Education: B.S. Montana State University, Soil Science 1982. J.D. University of Montana School of Law 1992. LL.M. Taxation, University of Washington School of Law 2008.