2026 Washington Supreme Court election
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The 2026 Washington Supreme Court election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect five members of the Washington Supreme Court.[1] There are three regular elections for the seats held by Justices Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Charles W. Johnson, and Debra Stephens. Justice Montoya-Lewis is not seeking re-election and Justice Johnson reached the mandatory retirement age making him ineligible to seek re-election.[2] In addition, there will be two special elections for appointed Justices Colleen Melody and Theo Angelis to finish the terms of Justices Mary Yu and Barbara Madsen respectively.[3]
The election will be held concurrently with the 2026 US midterm election, as well as elections to the US House of Representatives, Washington State Senate and House, and various county and local offices.[1] Primary elections will be held on August 4, 2026 using a top-two primary where all candidates are listed on the same ballot and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election.[4][5]
It is notable that there will be two open seats on the court and an additional two justices up for election for the first time. Four new justices joining the court of nine in a two-year span is a high rate of turnover for the Washington Supreme Court.[6][7]
Candidates
In September of 2025, Justice Mary Yu, the first LGBTQ+ justice in Washington, announced she would retire in December triggering the special election to be held in November 2026.[8] In November of 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson announced he would appoint Colleen Melody to serve in Justice Yu's position. The election will be for a two-year term with the next regular election for this position scheduled for 2028.[9] Justice Melody has filed to run to retain the seat.[10]
Filed paperwork
- Scott Edwards, tax lawyer[11]
- Colleen Melody, incumbent appointed justice[12]
Endorsements
State officials
- Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington[13]
- Nick Brown, incumbent Washington Attorney General[13]
- Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington (2013–2025)[13]
Judicial officials
- Debra L. Stephens, incumbent chief justice of the Washington Supreme Court[13]
- Charles W. Johnson, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Steven González, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Sheryl Gordon McCloud, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Raquel Montoya-Lewis, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Helen Whitener, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Sal Mungia, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
- Theo Angelis, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
Position 3
In January of 2026, Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, the first Native American elected to a statewide office in Washington, announced she would not seek re-election to a second term. She will serve out the remainder of her term making this an open seat for the November election.[14]
Candidates
Declared
- J. Michael Diaz, Washington Court of Appeals Division I judge[15]
- Jamie Hawk, King County superior court judge[16][17]
- David Stevens, Mason County superior court judge[18][19]
Endorsements
State officials
- Nick Brown, incumbent Washington Attorney General[20]
- Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington (2013–2025)[13]
- Christine Gregoire, former Governor of Washington (2005–2013)[13]
- Gary Locke, former Governor of Washington (1997–2005)[13]
Judicial officials
- Raquel Montoya-Lewis, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[20]
- 4 other Washington Supreme Court justices[13]
State officials
- Bob Ferguson, incumbent Washington Governor[17]
Judicial officials
- Helen Whitener, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[17]
- Mary Yu, retired Washington Supreme Court justice[17]
- Cecily Hazelrigg, incumbent Washington Court of Appeals Division I judge[17]
Political parties
Position 4
Justice Charles W. Johnson reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 and is therefore ineligible to seek re-election.[2]
Candidates
Declared
- Ian Birk, Washington Court of Appeals Division I judge[21][22]
- Sean O'Donnell, King County superior court judge[23][24]
Filed paperwork
- David Shelvey, family law attorney and candidate for justice in 2024[25]
Endorsements
State officials
- Patty Kuderer, incumbent Insurance Commissioner of Washington[13]
- Jay Inslee, former Governor of Washington (2013–2025)[13]
Judicial officials
- Mary Yu, former Washington Supreme Court justice (2014–2025)[13]
- 4 current Washington Supreme Court justices[13]
State legislators
- Jamie Pedersen, State Senate Majority Leader, state senator from the 43rd district[13]
Local officials
State officials
- Christine Gregoire, former Governor of Washington (2005–2013)[13]
Judicial officials
- Helen Whitener, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
Position 5
In February of 2026, Justice Barbra Madsen, the first woman to become a justice in Washington via election, announced she would retire effective April 3rd triggering the special election to be held in November 2026.[20] In March, Governor Bob Ferguson announced he would appoint Theo Angelis to serve in Justice Madsen's position making him the first Washington justice of Middle Eastern descent. The election will be for a two-year term with the next regular election for this position scheduled for 2028.[9] Justice Angelis has declared he will run to retain the seat.[10]
Candidates
Declared
- Theo Angelis, incumbent appointed justice[26][27]
- Dave Larson, retired Federal Way municipal court judge, candidate for justice in 2024, 2020, 2016, and 2000[28]
Filed paperwork
- Sharonda Amamilo, Thurston County superior court judge[29]
Endorsements
Judicial officials
- Helen Whitener, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[13]
State officials
- Bob Ferguson, incumbent Governor of Washington[27]
- Denny Heck, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Washington[27]
- Christine Gregoire, former Governor of Washington (2005–2013)[27]
Judicial officials
- Charles W. Johnson, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[27]
- Sal Mungia, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[27]
- Helen Whitener, incumbent Washington Supreme Court justice[27]
- 2 other Washington Supreme Court justices[13]
State legislators
- Jamie Pedersen, State Senate Majority Leader, state senator from the 43rd district[27]
- 16 other state senators[b]
- Laurie Jinkins, Speaker of the House, state representative from the 27th district[27]
- 19 other state representatives[c]
Local
- Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive[27]
- Rod Dembowski, King County Council member from the 1st district[27]
- Anders Ibsen, Mayor of Tacoma[27]
- Dontae Payne, Mayor of Olympia[27]
Political parties
Position 7
Chief Justice Debra Stephens is running for re-election.[30]
Candidates
Declared
- Debra Stephens, incumbent chief justice[31][30]