James A. Andersen

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 byCharles F. Stafford Jr.
Succeeded byPhil Talmadge
Minority Leader of the Washington Senate
In office
January 11, 1971  January 8, 1973
Preceded byR. Frank Atwood
Succeeded byHarry B. Lewis
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 48th district
In office
January 9, 1967  January 8, 1973
Preceded byAlbert C. Thompson Jr.
Succeeded byJohn D. Jones
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 48th district
In office
January 12, 1959  January 9, 1967
Preceded byVacant
Succeeded byRichard U. Chapin
Personal details
Born(1924-09-21)September 21, 1924
Auburn, Washington, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 2022(2022-05-01) (aged 97)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Washington (BA, LLB)
OccupationAttorney, 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

  1. "Judge James A. Andersen". www.courts.wa.gov. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  2. "PICTORIAL DIRECTORY - 1969 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE" (PDF). Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. "4 new justices make history on high court", Spokane Chronicle (January 14, 1985), p. 3.
  4. "Politicians file for District 48, 41 posts". Sammamish Valley News. Redmond Historical Society. August 7, 1968. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  5. "Lawyers' group lists choices for high court", Spokane Chronicle (December 22, 1981), p. 5.
  6. Bob Partlow, "Seattle judge named to state Supreme Court", The Olympian (July 9, 1984), p. 7.
  7. "Election Results: November 1984 General-State Supreme Court Justice Position #4". Secretary of State, State of Washington. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  8. "James A. Andersen". Legacy. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  9. "In Memoriam: James Andersen". Washington Coalition for Open Government. May 7, 2022.
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