ELECTIONS 2012

WALLA WALLA - Richard Wernette, who is running for Superior Court Judge for Department 2 in Walla Walla County, believes he would best fill the position because he has been in front of juries for 26 years.

"I'm at my prime right now," Wernette, age 52, said. "I'm go- ing to go for it."

Wernette, who grew up on a potato farm in the Southeast Idaho town of Firth, said he has wanted to be a lawyer since he was in high school. Even though he is very familiar with agricul- ture and rural cities, he chose not to stay and work on his family's farm like his father, grandfather and uncle before him. Instead, he chose the law. But, Wernette said the values and ideals he had growing up on the farm are ingrained in him.

"It never leaves you," he said. "A good part of who I am today is because I grew up on that fam- ily farm."

Longtime friend Mark Gilbert, who first met Wernette when Gilbert served on a jury, said Wernette will make a great judge because of his personality and smarts.

"I was absolutely impressed with his demeanor, level-head- edness, calmness and wisdom," Gilbert said of Wernette's pres- ence in court. "He is very judge- like to me."

In high school, Wernette played football and basketball and was student body vice presi- dent. He enjoyed academics and his interest in becoming a lawyer took him to Idaho State Univer- sity for his bachelor's degree and on to the University of Idaho for law school. He graduated from law school in 1984. Before col- lege, he married his wife Debbie, who ended up studying education. He and Debbie have been married 32 years and have three children, two out of the nest and one starting high school in the fall.

After he graduated from law school, Wernette said he was looking to relocate his small family to a moderate-sized, agriculture-based city and Walla Walla was the perfect fit. In the fall of 1985, Wernette obtained a job in a law office and the couple relocated to the area they have called home since. His specialty in law is family law and criminal defense. He has also done wills, probate, business contracts, adoptions and personal injury.

Wernette has loved being a lawyer and says "being a trial lawyer is never boring."

It is a stressful job that re- quires a lot of time and tight deadlines, but he has always wanted to do that kind of work. He has been in front of a jury so many times during his 26 years as a lawyer he said he can't even count. He estimates he has been in about 100 jury trials.

In addition to his duties as a lawyer, he has also served for nine years as the municipal court judge for the city of College Place, has served seven years as a Superior Court Commissioner and has served 21 years as a dis- trict court judge pro tem, filling in as needed.

With all of this judge expe- rience under his belt and the knowledge that Judge Donald W. Schacht was retiring made Wernette hop over to the elec- tions office and sign up to run. He only has one opponent, Scott Wolfram.

Wernette said he believes he has the characteristics to be a great judge - calm, deliberative and a great listener. He knows everyone in front of a judge wants to feel like they have a fair opportunity and meet a judge with a reputation for honesty and integrity.

Wernette said he first wants residents to know that he hears their concerns about safety and the increase in armed violence in the county. Second, he wants the public to get out and vote during the primaries on Aug. 7 because the primary will decide who the next judge will be. Wernette has been campaigning hard - run- ning ads, attending community events and going door to door to talk with residents and get his name out. He said being a judge hasn't been a life-long dream, but the timing and opportunity are perfect.

"It's a great opportunity to do something I love," Wer- nette said. "I'm serving the community."