James A. Andersen (September 21, 1924 – May 1, 2022) was an American politician and judge in the state of Washington, serving as a justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1984 to 1995.
James A. Andersen | |
|---|---|
 Andersen in 1969 | |
| Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court | |
| In office July 3, 1984 – 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Charles F. Stafford Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Phil Talmadge |
| Minority Leader of the Washington Senate | |
| In office January 11, 1971 – January 8, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | R. Frank Atwood |
| Succeeded by | Harry B. Lewis |
| Member of the Washington Senate from the 48th district | |
| In office January 9, 1967 – January 8, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Albert C. Thompson Jr. |
| Succeeded by | John D. Jones |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 48th district | |
| In office January 12, 1959 – January 9, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Vacant |
| Succeeded by | Richard U. Chapin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 21, 1924 Auburn, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 2022 (aged 97) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Washington (BA, LLB) |
| Occupation | Attorney, politician, judge |
The son of a coal miner, and one himself for a time, Anderson served in the United States Army as a combat infantryman in World War II, where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne.[1][2][3] He then attended the University of Washington, receiving his Arts degree in 1949, and law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 1951.[2]
Anderson served in the Washington House of Representatives from District 48 from 1959 to 1967. In 1968, Anderson was elected as a Republican to the Washington State Senate from the same district, running unopposed.[4] Andersen served in the state senate until 1972. He served in the state legislature for a total of 13 years.[5]
From 1975 to 1984, he was a judge on the Court of Appeals, Division One. In 1981, Anderson was named by the Washington State Bar Association as one of three choices for a seat on the state supreme court.[5] Following the death of Justice Charles F. Stafford in 1984, Andersen again was named for consideration, and was chosen by Governor John Spellman for appointment to the seat.[6] He then ran unopposed in the 1984 election to retain office.[3][7] From July 9, 1984 to January 9, 1995, he was a justice of the Washington Supreme Court, including a stint as chief justice in 1993. Anderson announced his resignation from the court in 1994, taking effect in 1995.
Andersen married Billiette, with whom he had two children.[2] He died on May 1, 2022, at the age of 97.[8][9]
References edit
- ^ "Judge James A. Andersen". www.courts.wa.gov. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ a b c "PICTORIAL DIRECTORY - 1969 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE" (PDF). Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "4 new justices make history on high court", Spokane Chronicle (January 14, 1985), p. 3.
- ^ "Politicians file for District 48, 41 posts". Sammamish Valley News. Redmond Historical Society. August 7, 1968. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ a b "Lawyers' group lists choices for high court", Spokane Chronicle (December 22, 1981), p. 5.
- ^ Bob Partlow, "Seattle judge named to state Supreme Court", The Olympian (July 9, 1984), p. 7.
- ^ "Election Results: November 1984 General-State Supreme Court Justice Position #4". Secretary of State, State of Washington. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ "James A. Andersen". Legacy. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "In Memoriam: James Andersen". Washington Coalition for Open Government. May 7, 2022.