Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Claire A. Bradley has announced she will seek election to Kitsap County District Court, Department 1, in November.

Judge James Riehl has previously announced his retirement from the position at the end of this year and is endorsing Bradley as his replacement.

“I am proud to endorse Claire Bradley for Department 1 of the Kitsap County District Court,” Judge Riehl said in a press release put out by Bradley. “She will bring a wealth of expertise, experience and common sense to the Kitsap County bench. She would be a wonderful addition to an already excellent bench.”

Bradley began her legal career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Kitsap County in November of 1997. In that time, she has prosecuted everything from infractions to aggravated first degree murder. The bulk of her career has been spent prosecuting special assault cases, including felony domestic violence, sexual assault and crimes against children. Most recently, she has been the Chief Deputy Prosecutor in charge of the District and Municipal Court Division, which handles all gross and simple misdemeanors, such as domestic violence, driving under the influence, thefts and assault in the fourth degree. During that time, she was instrumental in developing technological innovations in the District Court, as well as being instrumental in developing efficiencies in prosecuting felony crime.

In addition to Judge Riehl, Bradley has already been endorsed by Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney Russell D. Hauge, Retired Kitsap District Court Judge W. Daniel Phillips, Kitsap Superior Court Judge Jeanette Dalton, Kitsap Superior Court Judge Kevin D. Hull, Kitsap Superior Court Judge Jennifer Forbes, Bremerton Municipal Court Judge James Docter, Port Orchard Municipal Court Judge Tarrell S. Decker, Bremerton Police Chief Steven Strachan, Poulsbo Police Chief Al Townsend, Port Orchard Police Chief Geoffrey Marti, Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent and Port Orchard City Council Member Robert Putaansuu. In addition, Bradley is endorsed by numerous members of the local criminal defense bar including Ronald Ness, Steve Bennett, Matthew Clucas, David LaCross and Stan Glisson.

Bradley has strong ties to the community: she is a current member and First Vice President of Kitsap County United Way Board of Directors, has been the Chair of Kitsap Special Assault Investigations and Victim’s Services (SAIVS) since 2001, served the maximum term on the Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force and is a past President and past member of the South Kitsap Rotary Club. She has received the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award in 2010, the YWCA Unity Award in 2003, the Bremerton Police Department Law Enforcement Memorial Award in 2002 and has been named a “Rising Star “ in Washington Law and Politics on several occasions. She is a certified trainer for both the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and has trained law enforcement and prosecutors both locally and statewide.

Bradley lives in Kitsap County with her husband and two children.