Washington Democrats said state Supreme Court judges elected this year will cast deciding votes on issues including tax reform and environmental regulations.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington state GOP has set its sights on the state Supreme Court, calling upcoming elections “more important than ever” after the Legislature passed a new income tax on high earners, among other marquee issues facing the state.
“This is an extraordinary year for the Washington State Supreme Court,” Washington state GOP Chairman Jim Walsh wrote in a recent news release. “… With multiple major cases heading to the Court in the coming months — including lawsuits over the controversial state income tax scheme … — these elections for the WA State Supreme Court are more important than ever.”
Five of the nine seats on the state High Court will be up for election in November. Two of the seats are being filled through special elections after the resignations of Justice Mary Yu in December 2025 and Justice Barbara Madsen in April 2026.
Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Colleen Melody and Theo Angelis to fill the respective vacancies.
Angelis was set to be sworn in Monday, shortly after this article was published.
“Theo’s impressive qualifications and accomplishments speak for themselves,” Ferguson said in a news release.
Before joining the Supreme Court, Angelis — the first justice of Middle Eastern descent on the state Supreme Court — was an award-winning appellate and intellectual property litigator in private practice for 26 years at K&L Gates LLP.
His position is among the five justice seats up for election in November, one of four races that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign financing.
Walsh and the state Republicans highlighted one of Angelis’ opponents, retired Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson, in a news release announcing the party’s official election recommendations for November. The GOP also informally endorsed current Mason County Superior Court Judge David Stevens.
Larson has raised $136,207 for Position 5, while Angelis has garnered $143,611, according to data provided by the Public Disclosure Commission.
Judicial races are nonpartisan, which the GOP highlighted in its announcement, calling the picks “recommendations” rather than formal endorsements.
“Both Judge Larson and Judge Stevens plan to bring much needed ‘diversity of thought’ to the Washington State Supreme Court. This is a good thing,” the GOP wrote.
In an email, Washington Democrats noted that the state Supreme Court will, this year, cast deciding votes on “crucial issues” such as tax reform, environmental regulations, heath care, and rights to privacy.
‘We are working around the clock to educate Democratic voters on these crucial elections to ensure the progressive victories we have made over the past decade remain in place to help Washingtonians,” a Democratic Party spokesperson told KING 5. “While [we do] not endorse in these races, Legislative District and County Parties do, and we encourage everyone to consult those endorsements as they are decided over the next couple months.”
Big-dollar election spending
Three other races on the Aug. 4 primary ballot have also raised notable sums, including Positions 1, 3 and 4.
Incumbent Colleen Melody, Laura Christensen Colberg and Scott Edwards are running in the special primary for Position 1.
Melody has raised $168,517 to Edwards’ $10,908 and Christensen Colberg’s $0.
J. Michael Diaz, Jaime Hawk and David Stevens are running in the primary for Position 3.
Diaz has raised $127,936 to Hawk’s $102,250 and Stevens’ $10,908. Hawk and Diaz appear to be competing for the progressive vote, with both candidates boasting endorsements from prominent state Democrats.
Ian Birk and Sean O’Donnell are running in the general election for Position 4.
Birk has raised $269,765 to O’Donnell’s $162,322.
No candidate has raised funds for Position 7, whose candidates include incumbent Debra Stephens, Todd Bloom, Karim Merchant and David Shelvey.
In its recommendation announcement, the GOP pointed to upcoming issues likely to reach the state Supreme Court, including public-employee pensions and new Legislature-mandated requirements for elected sheriffs.
“WAGOP believes this so strongly that — although it has moved away from making early endorsements — the State Committee decided Judge Larson and Judge Stevens deserve early support,” Walsh wrote.
Before Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, Ferguson said the appointment of Angelis involved a “thorough, accelerated vetting process,” including “hours of interviews with multiple candidates, and a review of extensive written materials by the candidates.”
Ferguson also appointed Melody earlier this year.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
