OKANOGAN – Okanogan County Prosecutor Karl Sloan announced he will be seeking election to the Okanogan County Superior Court bench.

Sloan made the announcement last week that he wants to be elected as Superior Court Judge in Position 1. That position is currently held by Judge Jack Burchard, who after several terms on the bench announced he will not be running for reelection in November of this year.

Sloan was first elected as Prosecutor in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. Sloan began working in the Okanogan County Prosecutor’s office in 1998. As the Prosecuting Attorney, Sloan has been responsible for directing the Prosecutor’s Office, overseeing seven attorneys and 10 support staff. His office is responsible for prosecuting all state, county and municipal criminal cases in the county; acting as legal advisor to all county departments and the county commissioners; and providing victim/witness assistance.

Serving Okanogan County as prosecuting attorney has provided me a thorough knowledge of courtroom procedures, and the ability to make tough and timely decisions,” said the candidate in a recent press release. “I know firsthand the impact that the court system has on crime victims, witnesses, and litigants.”

Sloan has extensive courtroom experience and has personally tried more than 150 criminal cases to juries, and argued numerous appellate cases before the Washington State Court of Appeals and Washington State Supreme Court.

“If elected, I will bring extensive Superior Court experience, independence, and fairness to the role of judge. I have been working for over a decade to protect the citizens of Okanogan County and their property,” he said. “I strongly believe that justice must extend to all persons, regardless of social or economic status. If I am elected, you can count on me to administer the law fairly and impartially. I believe a good judge is one who works hard, comes prepared to conduct hearings and trials in an efficient manner, and ensures that people are treated fairly and with respect. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of our county as their judge.”

Sloan has more than two years left on his term as prosecutor. If he were elected to the non-partisan position as Superior Court Judge in November, the county commissioners would be entrusted to select someone from the same political party as Sloan ran from for the prosecutor to fill that empty position.

“I believe they’d seek input from the Okanogan County Democratic Party,” said Sloan.

Respected by the state and local Bar Associations, Sloan has served as a member of the Washington State Bar Association Court Rules and Procedures Committee since 2007. The Court Rules Committee reviews and recommends amendments to the rules that govern the courts and attorneys throughout the State, and provides comments to the state Supreme Court regarding proposed rules and changes. Sloan was also an appointed Member of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s Methamphetamine Task Force and previously served as president of the Okanogan County Bar Association.

The candidate earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance and Economics from Central Washington University; a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon; and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Before joining the Okanogan County Prosecutor’s Office, he worked in private law practice and for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney. Sloan grew up on a dairy farm in rural Skagit County and moved to Okanogan County to raise his family. He lives with his family, including four children ages seven to 16, in Riverside.

For information about Sloan’s campaign visit www.votesloan.us.