General Election Candidate Statements For Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Position 17 & Everett School District Board Position 5

Editor’s Note: On September 21st candidates in the November 7th General Election for Everett City Council Districts, Everett School Board and Port of Everett Commissioner along with Snohomish County offices including Everett voters were invited to send a statement up to 500 words to MyEverettNews.com introducing themselves to our readers. Invitations were sent to the email address on file with the Snohomish County Auditor. Not all of the candidates responded but this week we are publishing unedited statements from those that did reply by our deadline. We think this is a good way for you to hear directly from the people running. All City of Everett offices are non-partisan, other offices vary. MyEverettNews.com does not endorse candidates or issues but does accept paid political advertising. Today here are statements received from candidates running for Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Position 17 and Everett School Board of Directors Position 5.
 
Candidate Statement for Patrick M. Moriarty Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Position 17

The people of Snohomish County deserve experienced judges who have records of service to Snohomish County. Judge Patrick Moriarty, the incumbent in this election and the winner of the Primary Election, has more than 22 years of judicial experience and is overwhelmingly supported by the bench and Bar. In June 2022, he was appointed to fill a newly created position on the Snohomish County Superior Court bench, and he now stands for election to retain his seat.

The Judge grew up in a large family, graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, earned his law degree at Western New England University, and moved to Washington 33 years ago.
For 27 years, he practiced law in Snohomish County and gained broad legal expertise as a Public Defender and private attorney handling matters of criminal defense, juvenile representation, dependencies, drug court, personal injury, and many of the other legal issues that now come before him as a Superior Court judge.

For 17 years prior to his judicial appointment, Pat served as a Judge Pro Tem in Snohomish County courts, followed by 4 years as a Superior Court Commissioner.
Judge Moriarty’s wife Evelyn works in insurance claims, and their daughter Emily, who graduated from the University of Washington, is a care coordinator at Sea Mar Clinic.
Judge Moriarty is working to expand access to justice for community members with limited resources and to strengthen the therapeutic courts to keep families together. On a daily basis, he sees the effects of addiction, homelessness, and the economic challenges faced by families. His decades of experience, his reputation as an outstanding judge, and the thoughtful and respectful way he approaches each case are some of the reasons he is endorsed by every sitting judge in Snohomish County – at ALL levels of court – and more than 200 attorneys who practice in our courts.

Judge Moriarty is also endorsed by: Senators John Lovick (44th LD), June Robinson (38th LD), Jesse Salomon (32nd LD), & Patty Kuderer (48th LD); Reps. & Councilmembers Strom Peterson (21st LD) & Sam Low (39th LD); Reps. Clyde Shavers (10th LD) & Cindy Ryu (32nd LD); County Treasurer Brian Sullivan; Councilmembers Megan Dunn and Jared Mead; Prosecuting Attorney Jason Cummings; Lynnwood City Council President Shannon Sessions & V.P. Julietta Altamirano-Crosby; Councilmembers Will Chen & George Hurst; Mukilteo City Councilmember Riaz Khan; Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson; Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell; Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto; Former Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson; Snohomish County Democrats; 1st, 10th, 12TH, 21st, 32nd, 38th, 39th, and 44th LD Democrats; Snohomish County Indivisible; Washington State National Organization for Women Political Action Committee; Salish Sea Chapter of Federation of Democratic Women; Snohomish & Island County Labor Council; South County Union Firefighters (IAFF Local 1828); Teamsters Local 38; International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM 751); Ironworkers Local 86; Lynnwood Police Guild; Arlington Police Officers Assn.; Snohomish County Deputy Sheriffs Assn.; and Snohomish County Prosecutors Assn (AFSCME Local 1811). See a complete list at https://judgepatrickmoriarty.org/
 
Candidate Statement for Charles Adkins Everett School District Director-at-Large Position 5

My name is Charles Adkins, and I am running for school board because our students, teachers, and families are struggling and in need of support.

Students are having trouble socializing with their peers in healthy ways, paying attention, and behaving appropriately in the classroom. They are experiencing higher rates of depression and anxiety and report that they feel unsafe at school. Teachers and school staff are overwhelmed and burnt out by the high behavioral and mental health needs of their students since returning to in-person classes. They are reporting feeling unsafe in school as well. In order for kids to reach their full academic potential, they need to be in a safe learning environment and have their basic physical and mental health needs met.

I came to this city as a homeless teenager. I lived at Cocoon House, a local youth shelter, while attending Everett High. I know how difficult it is to try and focus on school while in crisis. And I know how vital school programs like Kids in Transition can be for disadvantaged students to succeed.

Today, over 1500 students and families in the Everett School District are experiencing some form of homelessness: a record high. We need someone on the school board who understands the challenges these students are facing and who has the professional experience to make the changes needed.

I have been working on these issues for a while now. I am a legislative policy analyst for the Tulalip Tribes, specializing in child welfare, education, housing, and transportation. I research and advocate for policies to help Native youth succeed in school and at home. Previously, I was the Director of Health Policy for the Children’s Alliance, where I advocated for more mental health support for students, and school-based health centers.

On the State Legislative level, I worked with Senator Emily Randall on writing and passing Senate Bill 5800, which created a pilot program for 4-year and community colleges to provide wrap-around support for homeless and foster youth. I’ve worked on other state bills as well, including the 2019 sex-ed bill and legislation to expand dental care in rural communities.

I am currently the vice chair of the City of Everett Planning Commission and the interim executive director of the Blue-Collar Fund, which assists disadvantaged folks seeking a career in the trades. I’m on the board of Cocoon House and I serve on the Snohomish County Children’s Commission. I’m also a founding member of Best Schools Marysville, an organization that ensured the passage of the 2023 Marysville School District Levy, after several successive failures.

I am proud to be endorsed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, The Everett Education Association, State Rep. and former Everett School Board Member April Berg, The Snohomish and Island County Labor Council, The Snohomish County Dems, State Senator John Lovick, Snohomish County Treasurer Brian Sullivan, UFCW 3000, and more.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions, and I hope to earn your vote.
charlesadkinscampaign@outlook.com
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofAdkins
Votecharlesadkins.com