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James A. Andersen (born September 21, 1924) is an American former politician and judge in the state of Washington.
The son of a coal miner, and one himself for a time, Anderson served in the United States Army as a combat infantryman in World War II, where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne. He then attended the University of Washington, receiving his Arts degree in 1949, and law degree from the University of Washington Law School in 1951.
Andersen served in the Washington State Senate as a Republican from the 48th District from 1968 to 1972, and in the Washington House of Representatives from District 48 from 1959 to 1967. From July 9, 1984 to January 9, 1995, he was a justice of the Washington Supreme Court, including a stint as Chief Justice in 1993. He was appointed to the court following the death of Justice Charles F. Stafford, and was subsequently re-elected to the seat.
Andersen married Billiette, with whom he had two children.
