To the editor:

Voters of Kitsap County have a rare opportunity to elect a superior court judge in the election of Aug. 7, 2012.

There are four candidates for election. One stands out, Bill Houser.

I have known him through his entire legal career. He first appeared in my court in 1983, fresh out of law school as a new attorney. His work as a trial attorney and later as a prosecutor gave him experience in hundreds of jury trials.

Through his career he has represented clients in civil and criminal cases, family court and juvenile court. He would bring all of this experience with him as he serves as a judge in Kitsap County.

Bill Houser was appointed by the Chief Justice of Oregon to serve as a circuit court judge pro tem and he has served as a juvenile court referee.

Bill Houser is an honest, articulate, diligent attorney, well versed in the law, who cares about the people he works with and for. He treats every person with dignity no matter their position, a client, an opponent, a victim or an accused.

Bill Houser has the ability to be a fine judge for Kitsap County for years into the future.

Wayne R. Harris

Circuit Court Judge, Retired

McMinnville, Oregon