EPHRATA — Ephrata-based attorney Nick Wallace announced his candidacy to fill the Superior Court bench position formerly held by Judge Evan Sperline yesterday.

Sperline announced his retirement in April 2015, which became effective at the end of August last year. His retirement was in the middle of his most recent four-year term, so, after accepting applications, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed David Estudillo to assume Sperline’s position on the bench in Grant County Superior Court.

The office will now be up for election this year for a full four-year term.

Wallace is the managing partner of the Ephrata-based law firm Schultheis Tabler Wallace PLLC. According to a press release about his candidacy announcement, Wallace has practiced law in Grant County for more than 20 years with emphasis on agribusiness issues. For the last 10 years, Wallace has additionally served as a pro-tem judge in Grant County Superior Court.

Attorney Jeremy Huberdeau, Wallace’s campaign chairman, said Wallace is the best fit for the position.

“The people of Grant County deserve to have the most qualified person on Grant County’s highest court, and Nick Wallace is that person,” Huberdeau said.

Following Sperline’s retirement announcement last April, the Grant County Bar Association commissioned a survey to rank the eight candidates seeking appointment to the Superior Court bench. In addition to Wallace and Estudillo, who received the appointment, the candidates included Douglas Anderson (Ephrata), Lyliane Couture (Moses Lake), Paul Gaffney (Ephrata), Rafael Gonzalez (Ephrata), Albert Lin (Kennewick), and Rani Sampson (Wenatchee).

The survey, which was completed by Washington State University criminal justice professor David Brody, identified Wallace as the most qualified candidate. The survey was submitted to 85 members of the Grant County Bar Association, with each member being asked to rate the candidates in five categories: legal knowledge, judicial temperament, integrity, relevant legal experience and suitability. Candidates were rated as not qualified, qualified, well qualified or exceptionally well qualified in each category.

According to a release from the Grant County Bar Association at the time of the survey, Wallace was ranked at the top of the candidate pool in each category and was judged to be at least "qualified" in every category. Wallace, Estudillo and Gaffney were the only three candidates to be deemed at least "qualified" in every category in the survey.

Huberdeau noted in the release yesterday that the Washington Women Lawyers gave Wallace their highest rating - "exceptionally well qualified" - and the Washington State Bar Association recently recognized him for his community involvement by presenting him with its "Local Hero Award."

According to the release ,Wallace has been endorsed as a candidate for the judge's seat by Sperline, who formerly held the seat, as well as former Grant County Superior Court Judge Ken Jorgensen. He has also been endorsed by Sheriff Tom Jones, county commissioners Richard Stevens and Cindy Carter, and a variety of attorneys and community leaders, according to the release.

For more information on Wallace's campaign and a detailed list of his endorsers, visit www.wallace4judge.com and www.facebook.com/wallaceforjudge.