2026 Elections Docket: State Supreme Court Shake-Up?

In Washington state, Supreme Court justices are elected, and five of the nine seats on the court will appear on this year’s ballot—a rare occurrence resulting from a combination of retirements, appointments, and age restrictions. As the state’s court of last resort, it holds the power to interpret laws passed by the state Legislature and the state constitution on everything from taxes to medical malpractice liability and civil rights.

The unusually high turnover on the court and a pending legal challenge over the recently passed “millionaires tax,” which will impose a 9.9% tax on annual income above $1 million starting in 2028, is resulting in a higher-profile judicial elections landscape compared to other years. Of particular interest to the house of medicine, legal issues related to tort reform and medical malpractice are often determined by the court and can have a far-reaching impact.

The state Supreme Court seats that will be on the ballot include:

• Position 1: Justice Colleen Melody, appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in January, will run in a special election to finish the term. She faces two challengers: Scott Edwards and Laura Christensen Colberg.
• Position 3: Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis is not seeking reelection, creating an open seat. Candidates include Michael Diaz, David Stevens, and Jaime Hawk.
• Position 4: Justice Charles W. Johnson is ineligible for another term under Washington’s mandatory judicial retirement age of 75, creating an open seat. Candidates include Sean O’Donnell and Ian Birk. With only two candidates in this race, it will only appear on the general election ballot in November.
• Position 5: Justice Theo Angelis, appointed by Gov. Ferguson in April, will run in a special election to finish the term. He faces three challengers including Dave Larson, Sharona Amamilo, and Greg Miller.
• Position 7: Justice Debra Stephens’ term is up, creating an open seat. Candidates include Todd Bloom, Karim Merchant, and David Shelvey.

Justices are elected for six-year terms and the positions are nonpartisan. More information about the judicial elections landscape is available here and a judicial scorecard showcasing the kinds of legal cases considered by the court, including liability cases impacting the house of medicine, is available here.