Here come da judge*

In addition to the U.S. Senate race, Washington's 2010 ballot also will include three other statewide elected positions – three Supreme Court seats. Washington has nine justices, each elected for six-year terms, elected in classes of three. Got that?

Sometimes there are vacancies and a huge battle ensues for the top state judicial post. This year, all three incumbents are seeking re-election – Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, Justice Richard Sanders and, as of his announcement on Wednesday, Justice James Johnson. Sanders has an opponent already, former Appeals Judge Charles Wiggins. The post pays $164k.

*For sub-Boomers among us, that's a line from television's old "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." For some reason, that cracked us up. So did "Sock it to me!" and "You bet your sweet bippy," and "Verrry interesting, but stew-pid." Go figure.