The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Washington State Court of Appeals Judge George Fearing was appointed to his position in May to replace the retiring Judge Dennis Sweeney. He's been on the bench since July 1.

Fearing is now running for re-election to complete the final three years of the unexpired six-year term of his Division III, Position 2 slot. He is being opposed by Kennewick defense attorney John Gary Metro.

Until his appointment, Fearing was a partner in the law firm of Leavy, Schultz, Davis and Fearing, in Ken- newick, where he practiced for the past 31 years. He specialized in representing municipalities and counties in civil litigation.

Fearing grew up in South- east Washington and re- ceived his undergraduate degree from Walla Walla College and his law degree from the University of Wash- ington School of Law. He joined the Leavy firm out of law school.

Fearing has been endorsed by many area judges and attorneys, including Columbia County Superior Court Judge William Acey, Columbia County District Court Judge Scott Marinella and Waitsburg Attorney Mike Hubbard.

Metro practices at the Metro Law Firm, PC, in Kennewick. He specializes in criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death, and family law services. He received his undergraduate degree from Reed College in Portland and his law de- gree from the University of Oregon School of Law.