Benton City woman announces bid for Benton County Superior Court Judge

Benton City, Wash. - Talesha “Tali” Sams of Benton City announced on Friday, March 20th that she will be running for Benton and Franklin County Superior Court Judge currently occupied by Judge Bruce Spanner.

The combat veteran grew up on the family farm in Walla Walla. After high school, Sams enlisted in the U.S. Army for four years as a Ranger/Paratrooper. She worked as a medical field nurse and therapist and decided to become an attorney.

Upon completing her law degree at Gonzaga University, she opened her own law office and practiced in all areas of the law in Federal, State, and District Courts; this allowed her to assist individuals who might not have otherwise been able to afford legal representation. After seven years of running her own practice, she became a deputy prosecutor for Adams County. Sams prosecuted cases in District Court involving infractions, civil matters, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors. She has also prosecuted felony cases in Superior Court as well as in the Court of Appeals, Division III.

After moving to the Tri-Cities in 2008, Sams worked with the Department of Social and Health Services/Adult Protective Services. Her job is to prosecute individuals who have been accused of mental, physical, and sexual abuse as well as neglect and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

“A Judge should possess humility, a positive demeanor and temperament, and treat all those who come before the bench with respect and fairness, which I vow to do. With this in mind, I humbly ask for your vote.”