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November 2, 2015

Commissioners name Verge to fill new district court judgeship

SKAGIT COUNTY – Skagit County Commissioners today announced the appointment of Tom Verge to fill a new district court judgeship created by the state legislature last summer. The appointment becomes effective on January 1, 2016.

Verge, a former Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney, currently serves as a Whatcom County Superior Court Commissioner. He was one of three finalists for the position after initial interviews of 11 candidates, all Skagit County residents as required by law.

Verge was nominated by Commissioner Lisa Janicki, with a second by Commissioner Ron Wesen. He was appointed in a 2-1 vote among commissioners, with Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt casting the dissenting vote.

On June 30, 2015, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1061, increasing the number of District Court judges in Skagit County from two to three. Governor Jay Inslee approved this legislation in July, and in August the Commissioners began accepting applications.

Eleven candidates were interviewed in the nomination process, with a final round of interviews among finalists including Verge, Dianne Goddard and Corbin Volluz.

Verge will have to run in the general election in November of 2016 in order to serve past an appointment term that expires January 9, 2017. That elected term runs until January 14, 2019, meaning the incumbent will have to run again in the quadrennial election in November 2018 to retain the seat.