Judges & courts

Justice, Washington Supreme Court

Position 3

Vote for: 1
Term: 6 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The nine justices of the Washington Supreme Court hear appeals from the state's lower courts and have the final say on Washington law.

Candidates Compare by issue

David Stevens

No party listed

Superior Court judge · Shelton

The gist

Opposes courts making public policy
Supports electing judges, with appointments reserved for vacancies
Supports interpreting the state constitution by its original meaning
Opposes the Court's approach to race in jury selection
Opposes Court policymaking through its regulation of the state bar

More about David

View sources (2)

Opposes courts making public policy
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“province of the political branches and not the courts”
Supports electing judges, with appointments reserved for vacancies
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“Our State Constitution mandated the election of judges because direct appointment leads to ideological and political decisions.”
Supports interpreting the state constitution by its original meaning
Judge David Stevens for Washington Supreme Court
Campaign website · judgestevensforwa.com
“the Washington State Constitution should be interpreted based on its text and original meaning and not on evolving societal standards”
Opposes the Court's approach to race in jury selection
Judge David Stevens for Washington Supreme Court
Campaign website · judgestevensforwa.com
“The current Washington Supreme Court believes that judges should evaluate the selection of jurors based on Race. I believe that is wrong.”
Opposes Court policymaking through its regulation of the state bar
Judge David Stevens for Washington Supreme Court
Campaign website · judgestevensforwa.com
“through its regulation of the Washington State Bar Association it can pursue policy-making procedures that usurp the legislature”

Jaime Michelle Hawk

No party listed

Superior Court judge

The gist

Pledges to protect rights and the rule of law
Pledges an independent voice on the Court
Pledges to bring working families' perspective to the Court
Supports eliminating bias and widening access to courts
Pledges to follow the law and apply it fairly

More about Jaime

View sources (2)

Pledges to protect rights and the rule of law
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“Judge Hawk will protect our rights and the rule of law.”
Pledges an independent voice on the Court
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“Judge Hawk will bring a strong, independent voice.”
Pledges to bring working families' perspective to the Court
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“she understands the concerns of women and working families and will bring that perspective to the Court”
Supports eliminating bias and widening access to courts
Judge Jaime Hawk for Washington State Supreme Court
Campaign website · judgehawk.com
“She currently serves on a Washington Supreme Court Commission working to eliminate bias in our courts and make them more accessible to working families”
Pledges to follow the law and apply it fairly
Judge Jaime Hawk for Washington State Supreme Court
Campaign website · judgehawk.com
“She follows the law. She applies it fairly.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 1 issue covered in this race.