Stewart Andrew will seek election to a fourth term as San Juan County District Court judge.

“I am asking the citizens of San Juan County to allow me to serve them for one more term,” he said in an announcement.

The District Court judge is paid $109,116 a year and serves a four-year term. The position is non-partisan. The judge presides over DUI, criminal traffic, misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases; considers small claims; and issues anti-harassment and domestic violence protection orders.

Andrew graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1972 and served as an officer aboard Navy and Coast Guard ships during the 1970s. He received his JD in 1980 from the School of Law at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Admitted to the California Bar in 1980, he worked as an assistant city attorney in Livermore and San Rafael, Calif., until 1985.

Admitted to the Washington Bar in 1984, he moved to Orcas Island in 1985 where he maintained a private law practice with offices in Eastsound until his election to the District Court bench in 1998. He was re-elected to that position in 2002 and 2006.

He has been involved in a number of local community organizations, including the board of the Orcas Island Library Association, 1986-87; president of the San Juan County Bar Association, 1988; San Juan County Planning Commission, 1988-1994, chairman from 1990-94; and member of the San Juan County Law Library Board of Trustees from 1995-96. He is an active member of the Orcas Island Community Church and has served on the Board of Elders of the church.

Andrew is married to his wife of 33 years, Cindy. They have one adult daughter, Alissa.

Andrew said his accomplishments while in office include: (1) the establishment of a Probation Department in the District Court, helping to reduce repeat offenses; (2) the creation of a streamlined Pay or Appear Program for defendants with financial obligations to the court, allowing expanded community service opportunities; and (3) the implementation of a program to help defendants regain their driver’s licenses after having been suspended.

The following quote hangs on the wall in the District Court room, “The ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice … contributes more than any other circumstance, to the impressing upon the minds of the people affection, esteem, and reverence towards government.” — Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 17 (1787). Andrew said he believes this best describes the responsibility and attitude of the District Court staff serving the San Juans.

14 positions on ballot
The primary election is Aug. 17, the general election is Nov. 2. The top two vote-getters in the primary advance to the general election. Candidates began mailing in their formal candidacy documents May 21; in-person filing is June 7-11.

Islanders will vote on 14 legislative and local positions this year: County assessor, auditor, clerk, prosecutor, sheriff, treasurer; County Council District 2, District 5, and District 6; District Court judge, Superior Court judge; U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District, 40th District state House Position 1, and 40th District state House Position 2.