Rico Tessandore is the best candidate for Snohomish County Superior Court Judge. My opinion is based on working with or around four of the five candidates during the 20 years that I advocated for victims of violent crimes in Snohomish County.

Rico Tessandore has been endorsed by many others who have worked with him to hold criminals accountable, such as the Edmond’s Police Officers Association, the Snohomish County Associations of deputy sheriffs and of prosecuting attorneys, and many judges.

No incumbent judge is running for this vacant position. One candidate refers to himself as a judge, but is actually an ex-judge who was voted out of office when too many cases had to be kept out of his courtroom. Another candidate has a criminal record including jail time.

I worked as a victim advocate with two of the other candidates while they were both prosecuting attorneys. Their goal was always to hold criminals accountable for their behavior. In my experiences working together with both candidates, Rico Tessandore was the most sensitive to the needs of victims; most clear in his decisions; the most courageous, dependable and persistent in his work; and had the highest level of court room skills.

These qualities will serve Rico Tessandore well, and he will serve us well, in the critically important role of Superior Court Judge.

Bill France

Monroe