With experience as a litigator in state, federal and military courts, Democrat Nick Brown has a sterling résumé to be Washington’s top law enforcement official. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Brown as the state’s attorney general.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to foster discussion and provide information. The Columbian encourages voters to study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed ballot.
In the race for attorney general, those voters will be choosing a successor to Bob Ferguson, who is running for governor after 12 years of guiding what amounts to the state’s largest law firm. Brown’s experience marks him as a strong candidate to continue and expand on the work performed by Ferguson’s office.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Brown has worked in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for the U.S. Army, as general counsel to Gov. Jay Inslee, and as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington after being appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021. He also has worked in the private sector and has served as both a defense attorney and prosecutor.
Of those experiences, the U.S. attorney post might be the most relevant to the position of attorney general. There, Brown oversaw a large legal office that engaged in complex cases — similar to the duties of the attorney general.
During an interview with the Editorial Board, Brown enumerated the duties of the attorney general as “One, to defend the state of Washington and the agencies therein; two, to defend the people of Washington.” He adds, “I believe it is the duty of the attorney general to defend the laws of Washington once those laws are passed.”
That is, indeed, the primary responsibility of the state’s attorney general. And while Republican Pete Serrano — the mayor of Pasco — appears capable of defending those laws, there are some concerns about his willingness to do so.
In an interview with the Editorial Board, Serrano expressed dissatisfaction with some bills passed by the Legislature, particularly those relating to gun control. He has sued the state several times, including over COVID-19 restrictions, and he formed the Silent Majority Foundation, a nonprofit that has challenged gun restrictions.
Indeed, our democracy relies on an adversarial system to keep government in check. But it seems disingenuous that Serrano would now promise to defend the same laws he has previously challenged in court.
“My job is to defend the Constitution,” Serrano said. “It doesn’t matter my personal view.” Still, some of Serrano’s personal views are troubling; he has referred to those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as “political prisoners.”
Brown, meanwhile, would effectively use the power of the attorney general’s office to influence how the state addresses major issues. He mentions public safety, housing and drug use as pressing topics and provides examples of how he would use the bully pulpit.
Because of his strong credentials and his understanding of the office’s role, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends Nick Brown as Washington’s attorney general.
