By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt publicly acknowledged he plans to retire, saying he was making the official announcement early so anyone who may wish to run for his seat next November can make their plans.
“I will be 67 next year and it is just time to retire,” Hunt said in a news release yesterday. “I very much enjoy the work I am doing and those with whom I work but I want to retire before too many people start wishing that I would.”
Judge Nelson Hunt
He said his post-retirement plans are still in the making, but notes the possibility of traveling extensively and also said he’s been approached about teaching college-level criminal law and procedural courses.
Adna resident Andrew Toynbee, a former chief criminal deputy prosecutor in Lewis County, announced today he will seek election to Hunt’s position.
Hunt was first elected as judge in 2004, replacing the retiring Judge David Draper. He was unopposed in that election as well as in 2008 and 2012.
In his news release, he says the experience he is most proud of is “our continuing success” with drug court, something he was more than a little skeptical about when called upon to lead it following Judge John Hall’s retirement.
Hunt said in the past he’d seen many well-intentioned programs aimed at dealing with the drug problem fail over the long run.
” … I was soon convinced that it is the most effective way to proceed and our results corroborate that,” Hunt stated. “It will be difficult to end my active association with drug court but I am sure my successor will be up to the challenge.”
Hunt’s law career began as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Lewis County in 1979 and then he became the Lewis County prosecutor in 1990.
He held that elected position until 1995 when he resigned to take a position with the local law firm of Mano and McKerricher, where his practice emphasized criminal defense.
“Being a judge is a great job,” Hunt said. “It is challenging and full of variety, every day brings something new.
“That was the main reason I decided to become a judge and the past 11 years have certainly lived up to that.”
Toynbee today said the support and encouragement he has gotten to run for judge has been overwhelming.
“I am looking forward to getting out and letting the community know who I am and what I have to offer the people of Lewis County as a superior court judge,” Toynbee stated.
Lewis County has three superior court judges who preside over felony and high-money civil cases. The job pays $162,618 a year.
Toynbee served for 13 years in the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, in a variety of positions. He spent his last five years there the chief criminal deputy, before taking a similar position in 2006 at the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office.
He said he oversees he oversees a staff of over 30 attorneys and support personnel.
“I have learned much in the last nine years, and I am eager to bring that experience home to Lewis County,” Toynbee said.
The married father of three has continued to reside in Lewis County and lists his community involvement as a board member for Pope’s Kids Place since 2006, several terms on the St. Joseph School Commission, a former board member of Valley View Community Health Center and has coached for Chehalis Youth Soccer.
Toynbee will formally kick off his campaign in January.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Wow, I am rather shocked. I will say that Judge Nelson Hunt is a very good man. He is a very intellectual man to speak with and is rather respectful. I would also say out of 3 elected judges, and 1 appointed court commissioner of Lewis County Superior Court, Judge Hunt is always the most fair, reasonable, and intelligent. It is going to be sad to see him go. He is one of the few public servants locally that I support and approve of.
Can we not just have a moment to allow Judge Hunt a farewell before highlighting some frothing mouth lawyer standing in his spotlight casting a shadow? Already doesn’t have my vote.