Maria Cantwell: “it is my privilege today to discuss the incredibly talented nominee for vacancy on the District Court for the Western…”

“it is my privilege today to discuss the incredibly talented nominee for vacancy on the District Court for the Western District of Washington, Judge Ricardo Martinez. The people of western Washington will be well-served by this talented and fair jurist. Given Judge Martinez's reputation for even-handedness and thoroughness, it is fitting that he was recommended by a bipartisan selection committee that I believe is a sound model for other States. Members of Washington State's legal community, the White House, and my colleague Senator Patty Murray and I worked together to review a group of applicants. Together, we all agreed that Judge Martinez is the right person for the job. Judge Martinez has ably served the people of Washington State as a public servant for more than two decades: as prosecutor in the State's largest county for 10 years; as a Superior Court judge for 8 years; and as a United States Magistrate judge in the Western District of Washington for the past 5 years. While serving on the King County Superior Court, Judge Martinez took the lead in helping to create an innovative "drug court" to address the unique challenge of recidivism among drug offenders. He helped build a consensus to try a new approach, and preside over the new court for three years. And it worked.…”