This was a tough one. Sitting Judge Michael Hurtado has had a long and distinguished career on the court. He spoke out against Seattle's sidewalk-sitting ban (after, and indeed despite, voting to uphold it on constitutional grounds). He invited local kids to visit the court and King County jail to teach them about the consequences of personal choices. And he was the first judge to suggest that municipal justices should preside over low-level cases like traffic violations---a low-prestige duty other judges would prefer to assign to magistrates or pro teem judges.

In addition, Hurtado has spent three years presiding over the city's mental-health court, which serves mentally ill criminal defendants. And he was the only judge who volunteered to serve on tough "night court" duty at the King County jail, a position he held for 11 years.

However, close observers of the court say that after nearly two decades on the court, Hurtado is starting to lose his edge. We think it's time for new blood (and fresh ideas) on the court. Hurtado's opponent, Karen Donohue, is promising on that score. Exciting, even.

Donohue, a pro tem judge for 16 years, suggests the kind of common sense, 21st century innovations that would make the court more accessible (and cheaper) for the public. She wants to cut costs (and waste) by expanding the court's electronic record keeping system; provide better access to municipal court records by linking those records to the rest of the county's judicial information system; and allow online hearings for parking and traffic infractions.

Additionally, Donohue wants to save money by expanding alternatives to incarceration, such as work release and electronic home monitoring.

We're a little concerned about Donohue's proposal to allow videoconferences to substitute for some in-person hearings---there's something to be said for ensuring that defendants are able to sit down with their attorneys in person---but on the whole, we like Donohue's technologically-driven, forward-looking approach.

For all our endorsements, including our original batch of 32 "No-Brainers," click here.