Judges & courts

Justice, Washington Supreme Court

Position 4

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

Ian Birk

No party listed

Judge, Washington Court of Appeals, Division I · Seattle

The gist

Supports deciding cases on the law and facts alone
Supports equal access to justice regardless of resources
Pledges to apply the law evenly and explain decisions clearly
Supports transparent, principled judicial decision-making
Pledges independent and fair written opinions

More about Ian

View sources (2)

Supports deciding cases on the law and facts alone
Values — Judge Ian Birk for Supreme Court
Campaign website · ianbirk.com
“judges must decide cases based on the law and the facts—never politics, pressure, or popularity”
Supports equal access to justice regardless of resources
Values — Judge Ian Birk for Supreme Court
Campaign website · ianbirk.com
“The justice system must work for everyone, not just those with resources or power.”
Pledges to apply the law evenly and explain decisions clearly
Values — Judge Ian Birk for Supreme Court
Campaign website · ianbirk.com
“Judge Birk is committed to applying the law evenly and explaining judicial decisions clearly”
Supports transparent, principled judicial decision-making
Values — Judge Ian Birk for Supreme Court
Campaign website · ianbirk.com
“judicial decision-making must be transparent, principled, and accountable to the law itself”
Pledges independent and fair written opinions
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
“I'll continue authoring opinions that are independent, fair, and grounded in shared values.”

Sean O'Donnell

No party listed

King County Superior Court judge

The gist

Pledges to defend rights and the Constitution impartially
Supports centering crime victims' voices in the justice system
Led creation of a protection order court for domestic violence
Supports courthouse security and more accessible courts
Pledges independence from special interests

More about Sean

View sources (2)

Pledges to defend rights and the Constitution impartially
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
“As a Justice, I will defend our rights and the Constitution, maintain impartiality, and always remember that my rulings affect real people.”
Supports centering crime victims' voices in the justice system
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
“I have protected individuals' constitutional rights, upheld the rule of law, and centered crime victims' voices in our justice system.”
Led creation of a protection order court for domestic violence
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
“I helped start a protection order court that resulted in hundreds of firearms being surrendered by people who committed acts of domestic violence.”
Supports courthouse security and more accessible courts
Judge Sean O'Donnell for Supreme Court
Campaign website · odonnellforjustice.com
“Sean has focused on victims' rights, courthouse security and finding ways to make courts relevant and accessible for our communities.”
Pledges independence from special interests
Judge Sean O'Donnell for Supreme Court
Campaign website · odonnellforjustice.com
“will never be influenced by special interests”

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; 2 issues covered in this race.