The 2026 Washington Supreme Court election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect five members of the Washington Supreme Court. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Position 1 (special)
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. 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. Justice Melody has filed to run to retain the seat.
Primary election Candidates Advanced to general Scott Edwards, tax lawyer Colleen Melody, incumbent justice
Eliminated in primary Laura Christensen Colberg, family law attorney and pro tem commissioner for the Snohomish County superior court
Withdrawn Anne Bremner, TV legal analyst
Endorsements
Results
Position 3
In January 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.
Primary election Candidates Advanced to general Jaime Hawk, King County superior court judge David Stevens, Mason County superior court judge
Eliminated in primary J. Michael Diaz, Washington Court of Appeals Division I judge
Endorsements
Results
Position 4
Justice Charles W. Johnson reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 and is therefore ineligible to seek re-election.
Candidates Advanced to general Ian Birk, Washington Court of Appeals Division I judge Sean O'Donnell, King County superior court judge
Endorsements
Position 5 (special)
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. 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. Justice Angelis has declared he will run to retain the seat.
Primary election Candidates Advanced to general Theo Angelis, incumbent justice Dave Larson, former Federal Way municipal court judge, candidate for justice in 2024, 2020, 2016, and 2000
Eliminated in primary Sharonda Amamilo, Thurston County superior court judge Greg Miller, health law appellate lawyer
Endorsements
Results
Position 7
Chief Justice Debra Stephens is running for re-election.
Primary election Candidates Advanced to general Todd Bloom, tax attorney, candidate for justice in 2024, and Republican candidate for Washington's 6th congressional district in 2022 and 2016 Debra Stephens, incumbent chief justice
Eliminated in primary Karim Merchant, criminal defense attorney David Shelvey, family law attorney and candidate for justice in 2024
Endorsements
Results
See also Washington Supreme Court Elections in Washington (state)
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites for Washington Supreme Court Position 1 Laura Colberg Scott Edwards Colleen Melody
Position 3 Mike Diaz Jaime Hawk David Stevens
Position 4 Ian Birk Sean O'Donnell
Position 5 Sharonda Amamilo Theo Angelis Dave Larson Greg Miller
Position 7 Todd Bloom Karim Merchant David Shelvey Debra Stephens