I have never paid much attention to election-cycle judge candidates, but this year will be different. Yesterday I spent the morning in King County Court as a plaintiff in a small claims case. Judge Judith R. Eiler presided. From her very first instructions to those assembled, she was very condescending, curt and downright inhospitable. I was shocked.

When I arrived home, I found my ballot and the election guide. I was very surprised to see she was running against Susan Mahoney for Judge Position No. 2, who stated in her comments, “[Eiler] has been sanctioned twice by the Judicial Conduct Commission for treating courtroom participants in a rude and humiliating manner.”

We don’t need more incivility, especially on the bench. Please vote for Susan Mahoney.

— Michael FitzPatrick