Two candidates running for Whitman County District Court judge have plans to improve court technology and make information easily accessible to the public.

John Hart has been the Colfax Municipal Court judge since 2012 and has served as judge pro tem in the Whitman County District Court. He also worked as a lawyer for 18 years.

If elected, Hart said he wants to upgrade the technology used in court, establish a therapeutic community court, make judicial linguistics easily accessible to the community and establish courtroom security.

“I am motivated by the desire to help people,” Hart said.

Hart has been mentored by current Judge Douglas Robinson and said he wants to build on the legacy Robinson has left. Hart has primarily served Whitman County and has seen 3,000 cases as judge.

Rob Rembert has been practicing law since 1996 in Whitman County. He has served as the president of the Whitman County Bar Association, judge pro tem for Whitman County District Court and is a Whitman County Superior Court judge commissioner.

If elected, Rembert said he wants to make things more efficient in the courtroom by ensuring that correct information is being put out to the public, switching from handwritten forms to digitized forms and beginning court dates on time.

“This is an opportunity to use my years of experience to help the community,” Rembert said.

He said he wishes to help the community improve the court system and to give back.

Rembert said what sets him apart from other candidates is that he is more community-involved and is the only candidate who has experience with a variety of cases.

According to public disclosure commission records, the candidates for Whitman County District Court judge have spent three times as much more as other county elections. The records show that Hart has spent nearly $30,000 on his campaign and Rembert has spent nearly $26,000.