PORT ORCHARD — The Kitsap County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Guild has endorsed Bill Houser for Kitsap County Superior Court, Department 7.

“I am honored by the Guild’s endorsement and I will work hard to justify their trust,” Houser said during a campaign event following the announcement by Chad Enright, the president of the Guild.

“This endorsement is personally gratifying because the members of the guild see my work in court on a day to day basis.”

Houser, a trial attorney with the Kitsap County Public Defender Division, announced his candidacy for Department 7 earlier this year. Other candidates are Jennifer Forbes, a lawyer and judge pro tem of Poulsbo; Karen Klein, a lawyer and judge pro tem of Bainbridge; and Rob MacDermid, lawyer, of Silverdale.

Enright wrote in the endorsement letter, “No one is in a better position to judge your skills as an attorney than those who face you in court every day. It is with that knowledge that we are confident that our community will benefit with your addition to our Superior Court bench.

“We know that your compassion for others, common sense approach to problems and unmatched work ethic will make you an excellent judge. We have no doubt that any person who entered your courtroom would be treated fairly and with respect. We have seen firsthand how you carry yourself in and out of the courtroom and believe that your professionalism and respect for the law is unmatched.

“We are confident that you are the right choice for the Superior Court.

Houser, who served as a part-time judge in Oregon, lives in Poulsbo with his wife, Brenda, and their children, Sarah and Curtis.  The position will be contested on the Aug. 7 primary ballot.