John E. Bridges
Encyclopedia
John E. Bridges is a Chelan County Superior Court Judge in Washington state. He presided over the high-profile legal challenge to the 2004 Washington gubernatorial election
in which he upheld the election of Christine Gregoire
. He grew up in Chelan County, and graduated from Seattle Pacific University
and the Gonzaga University
School of Law
. He was admitted to the Washington State bar association
in 1976, and appointed to the bench by Gov.
Booth Gardner
in 1988.
Ironically, five years prior to the high profile 2004 Washington gubernatorial election case, Judge Bridges presided over another trial in which he voided an election result http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002155418_revote20m.html. On December 29, 1999, Bridges invalidaded the certified results of the November 2, 1999 Wenatchee, WA
mayoral elections, because the certified winner, Gary Schoessler, did not meet the residency requirements for candidacy. http://mrsc-web.mrsc.org/mc/courts/supreme/140wn2d/140wn2d0368.htm. The case had been brought by two local ministers, Sanford Brown
and Kel Groseclose. Bridges' decision was upheld by the Washington Supreme Court
in a unanimous decision on April 20, 2000. http://www.tvw.org/modules/opinions/690481_o.htm
Judge Bridges received much attention in the 2005 case for sporting a diamond earring in court. Bridges declined to discuss with the media if there was any special significance behind the jewelry.
Washington gubernatorial election, 2004
The election for governor of Washington on November 2, 2004 gained national attention for its legal twists and extremely close finish. Notable for being among the closest political races in United States election history, Republican Dino Rossi was declared the winner in the initial automated count...
in which he upheld the election of Christine Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
. He grew up in Chelan County, and graduated from Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions, located on the north slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington, USA. It was founded in 1891 by the Oregon and Washington Conference of the Free Methodist Church as the Seattle Seminary...
and the Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
School of Law
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
. He was admitted to the Washington State bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1976, and appointed to the bench by Gov.
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Booth Gardner
Booth Gardner
Booth Gardner , an heir to the Weyerhaeuser fortune, was the 19th Governor of the U.S state of Washington between 1985 and 1993. He also served as the ambassador of the GATT. He is a Democrat. Before serving as governor, Gardner was Pierce County Executive...
in 1988.
Ironically, five years prior to the high profile 2004 Washington gubernatorial election case, Judge Bridges presided over another trial in which he voided an election result http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002155418_revote20m.html. On December 29, 1999, Bridges invalidaded the certified results of the November 2, 1999 Wenatchee, WA
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
mayoral elections, because the certified winner, Gary Schoessler, did not meet the residency requirements for candidacy. http://mrsc-web.mrsc.org/mc/courts/supreme/140wn2d/140wn2d0368.htm. The case had been brought by two local ministers, Sanford Brown
Sanford Brown
Rev. Dr. Sanford "Sandy" Brown is a United Methodist minister from the Seattle, Washington area. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of , the oldest church in the Seattle area.-Education:...
and Kel Groseclose. Bridges' decision was upheld by the Washington Supreme Court
Washington Supreme Court
The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the judiciary of the U.S. state of Washington. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and eight Justices. of the Court are elected to six-year terms...
in a unanimous decision on April 20, 2000. http://www.tvw.org/modules/opinions/690481_o.htm
Judge Bridges received much attention in the 2005 case for sporting a diamond earring in court. Bridges declined to discuss with the media if there was any special significance behind the jewelry.