Schlosser for judge

One of the Multnomah County judgeships is contested – I sure wish a couple more of them were – but I couldn't find anything in either of the Voters' Pamphlets about the five candidates. Well, an alert reader has pointed out that there are statements from all but one of the contestants here. I've looked at the statements, and I think John Schlosser (pictured) would be the best of the lot. 

All of the hopefuls have practiced criminal law, but Schlosser's the only one who's practiced civil law as well. And he's running on a straightforward statement of his own merit, not touting endorsements or spending big bucks on a sales job. That's to be respected in an election for a judgeship. The judges are supposed to be independent.

For a minute there, I was intrigued by Jeff Auxier, a prosecutor. But he's been locking 'em up in Columbia County most of his career, and has only gotten into the Portland game less than a year and a half ago. Besides, yesterday the deal was sealed for me with the arrival in my mailbox of a slick election porn mailer from Auxier listing his many endorsements, which I guess are supposed to overpower the reader.

And look whom he chose to highlight:

Pham is the queen of the "right to rest" bill, which would have opened every public space in Oregon to 'round-the-clock tent camping. And Killer Kate? Cover your ears as the big GONG! goes off.

Also on Auxier's list of fans are Mikey Schmidt and Kate Lieber. Is he kidding? That'd be another big fat no, and then another.

If I'm reading Auxier's campaign finance page on Orestar correctly, he's collected $100,000 in campaign contributions since the end of June. Including $25,000 from the Multnomah County prosecutors. It's pretty unseemly, if you ask me.

Among the four current and former public defender types, go with Schlosser. He'll be a good judge, and he's not getting grease all over himself trying to land the gig.