Washington Supreme Court elections

There are nine justices on the Washington Supreme Court. In Washington, judges are appointed to fill midterm vacancies. Newly appointed judges must run in a nonpartisan election during the next general election to serve the remainder of their predecessor's term. When the term expires, judges must compete for re-election to their first full term. After that, justices must run for re-election every six years to remain on the bench. For more information about these elections, visit the Washington judicial elections page.

## Contents

* 1 Judicial selection
* 1.1 Qualifications
* 1.2 Chief justice
* 1.3 Vacancies
* 2 Elections
* 3 2020
* 3.1 Position 3
* 3.2 Position 4
* 3.3 Position 6
* 3.4 Position 7
* 4 2018
* 4.1 Position 2
* 4.2 Position 8
* 4.3 Position 9
* 5 2016
* 5.1 General election candidates
* 5.1.1 Justice, Position 1
* 5.1.2 Justice, Position 5
* 5.1.3 Justice, Position 6
* 5.2 Election results
* 5.2.1 November 8 general election
* 5.2.2 August 2 primary election
* 6 2014
* 7 2012
* 8 2010
* 9 2008
* 10 2006
* 11 2004
* 12 2002
* 13 2000
* 14 1998
* 15 1996
* 16 1995
* 17 1994
* 18 1992
* 18.1 See also
* 18.2 External links
* 18.3 Footnotes

## Judicial selection[edit]

See also: Judicial selection in Washington

The nine justices of the supreme court are selected through contested nonpartisan elections and must run for re-election when their terms expire. Supreme court judges serve for six years.[1]

### Qualifications[edit]

To serve on the supreme court, a judge must be:

* admitted to practice law in Washington; and
* under the age of 75.[2]

### Chief justice[edit]

The chief justice of the supreme court is selected through peer vote and has a set term of four years.[3]

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election, at which point he or she may run to serve for the remainder of the predecessor's term.[4][5] If the resignation and subsequent appointment take place after the filing period for that year's elections opens, the appointee must stand in the next year's election in order to remain on the bench.[6]

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

## Elections[edit]

# 2020[edit]

See also: Washington Supreme Court elections, 2020

### Position 3[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 3

Incumbent Raquel Montoya-Lewis defeated Dave Larson in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 3 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Raquel Montoya-Lewis (Nonpartisan)  |

58.2

| 2,057,623

| Dave Larson (Nonpartisan)  |

41.4

| 1,462,764
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.4

| 13,661

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,534,048

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Raquel Montoya-Lewis and Dave Larson advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 3.

### Position 4[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 4

Incumbent Charles W. Johnson won election in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 4 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Charles W. Johnson (Nonpartisan)  |

97.7

| 2,850,924
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

2.3

| 66,407

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,917,331

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Charles W. Johnson advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 4.

### Position 6[edit]

General election

##### Special general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 6

Incumbent G. Helen Whitener defeated Richard Serns in the special general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 6 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| G. Helen Whitener (Nonpartisan)  |

66.1

| 2,263,513

| Richard Serns (Nonpartisan) |

33.3

| 1,140,338
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.6

| 19,416

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,423,267

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent G. Helen Whitener and Richard Serns advanced from the special primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 6.

### Position 7[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 7

Incumbent Debra Stephens won election in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 7 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Debra Stephens (Nonpartisan)  |

97.9

| 2,852,879
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

2.1

| 60,808

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,913,687

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Debra Stephens advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 7.

# 2018[edit]

See also: Washington Supreme Court elections, 2018

### Position 2[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 2

Incumbent Susan Owens won election in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Susan Owens (Nonpartisan)  |

100.0

| 2,062,701

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,062,701

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Susan Owens advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 2.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* John Scannell (Nonpartisan)

### Position 8[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 8

Incumbent Steven Gonzalez defeated Nathan Choi in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 8 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Steven Gonzalez (Nonpartisan) |

67.6

| 1,687,073

| Nathan Choi (Nonpartisan)  |

32.4

| 809,176

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,496,249

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Steven Gonzalez and Nathan Choi advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 8.

### Position 9[edit]

General election

##### General election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 9

Incumbent Sheryl Gordon McCloud won election in the general election for Washington State Supreme Court Position 9 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Sheryl Gordon McCloud (Nonpartisan)  |

100.0

| 2,005,244

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,005,244

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sheryl Gordon McCloud advanced from the primary for Washington State Supreme Court Position 9.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* Stan Lippmann (Nonpartisan)

# 2016[edit]

Main article: Washington Supreme Court elections, 2016

### General election candidates[edit]

#### Justice, Position 1[edit]

■ Mary Yu (Incumbent)
■ David DeWolf

#### Justice, Position 5[edit]

■ Barbara Madsen (Incumbent)
■ Greg Zempel

#### Justice, Position 6[edit]

■ Charlie Wiggins (Incumbent)
■ Dave Larson

### Election results[edit]

#### November 8 general election[edit]

Incumbent Mary Yu defeated David DeWolf in the general election for the Washington Supreme Court, Position 1.

Washington Supreme Court, Position 1, 2016

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Mary Yu Incumbent | 57.33% | 1,577,495
David DeWolf | 42.67% | 1,174,263
Total Votes (100% reporting) | 2,751,758
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Barbara Madsen defeated Greg Zempel in the general election for the Washington Supreme Court, Position 5.

Washington Supreme Court, Position 5, 2016

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Barbara Madsen Incumbent | 61.95% | 1,679,786
Greg Zempel | 38.05% | 1,031,698
Total Votes (100% reporting) | 2,711,484
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

Incumbent Charlie Wiggins defeated Dave Larson in the general election for the Washington Supreme Court, Position 6.

Washington Supreme Court, Position 6, 2016

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Charlie Wiggins Incumbent | 57.49% | 1,535,554
Dave Larson | 42.51% | 1,135,285
Total Votes (100% reporting) | 2,670,839
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

#### August 2 primary election[edit]

Incumbent Justice Barbara Madsen and challenger Greg Zempel defeated John Scannell and advanced to the November 8 general election.

Washington Supreme Court Primary, Position 5, 2016

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Barbara Madsen Incumbent | 63.90% | 759,475
Greg Zempel | 29.71% | 353,149
John Scannell | 6.38% | 75,849
Total Votes (2000 of 2000 reporting: 100%) | 1,188,473
Source: Washington Secretary of State Official Results

# 2014[edit]

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2014

Unopposed|  Judge Mary Yu (Position 1)

|

Unopposed|  Judge Mary Fairhurst (Position 3)

|

Position 4Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

JohnsonCharles W. JohnsonA| Yes| | 73.3% A
YoonEddie Yoon | No| | 26.7% D Position 7| Candidate| Incumbency| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|

ScannellJohn Scannell | No| | 21.9% D
StephensDebra StephensA| Yes| | 78.1% A

# 2012[edit]

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2012

| Candidate| Incumbency| Office| Primary Vote| Election Vote

|
|
|
|

HilyerBruce Hilyer | No| Position 9| 25.6%|
DanielsonBruce O. Danielson | No| Position 8| 43.1%|
McQuaidDouglas W. McQuaid | No| Position 2| 24.14%|
LadenburgJohn Ladenburg | No| Position 9| 15.31%|
SandersRichard Sanders | No| Position 9| 27.48%A| 44.76% A
Scott Stafne | | | |
McCloudSheryl McCloud A| No| Position 9| 31.61%A| 55.24% A
GonzalezSteven Gonzalez A| Yes| Position 8| 56.9%A| 100% A
OwensSusan Owens A| Yes| Position 2| 63.5%A| 100% A

# 2010[edit]

See also: Washington judicial elections, 2010

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|

Charlie Wiggins A |  | Position #6| 984,948 | 50.3%
Richard Sanders |  | Position #6| 971,803 | 49.7%

Candidate | Incumbent

|

James Johnson A | Yes

[7]

Candidate | Incumbent

|

Barbara Madsen A | Yes

[8]

# 2008[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Mary Fairhurst A | Yes | Position #3| 701,259| 60.6%|  | 100%
Michael Bond | No | Position #3| 455,893| 39.4%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles W. Johnson A | Yes | Position #4| 663,330| 59.2%|  | 100%
James Beecher | No | Position #4| 340,004| 30.4%|  |
Frank Vulliet | No | Position #4| 116,970| 10.4%|  |

Candidate | Incumbent

|

Debra L. Stephens A | Yes

[9][10]

# 2006[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Susan Owens A |  | Position #2| 460,923| 46%| 1,058,020 | 59.8%
Stephen Johnson |  | Position #2| 347,732| 34.7%| 710,144 | 40.2%
Richard Smith |  | Position #2| 54,790| 5.5%|  |
Norman J. Ericson |  | Position #2| 53,867| 5.4%|  |
Michael Johnson |  | Position #2| 83,308| 8.3%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Gerry Alexander A |  | Position #8| 554,328| 54.3|  | 100%
John Groen |  | Position #8| 465,680| 45.7%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Tom Chambers A |  | Position #9| 596,095| 59.7%|  | 100%
Jeanette Burrage |  | Position #9| 403,255| 40.3%|  |
[11]

# 2004[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

James Johnson A |  | Position #1| 214,159| 22.3%| 1,178,194 | 52%
Mary Kay Becker |  | Position #1| 210,815| 22%| 1,086,319 | 48%
Gary Carpenter |  | Position #1| 89,271| 9.3%|  |
William Murphy |  | Position #1| 121,273| 12.6%|  |
Maureen Hart |  | Position #1| 124,314| 13%|  |
Robert H. Alsdorf |  | Position #1| 196,550| 20.5%|  |
[12] Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Barbara Madsen A |  | Position #5| 571,919| 60.9%|  | 100%
Terry Lukens |  | Position #5| 367,105| 39.1%|  |
[13] Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Richard Sanders A |  | Position #6| 279,905| 31.3%| 1,310,998 | 61%
Terry Sebring |  | Position #6| 171,418| 19.2%| 837,077 | 39%
James White |  | Position #6| 159,097| 17.8%|  |
Steve Merrival |  | Position #6| 57,738| 6.4%|  |
Doug Shafer |  | Position #6| 142,733| 15.9%|  |
Fred L. Stewart |  | Position #6| 81,498| 9.3%|  |
[14]

# 2002[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Mary Fairhurst A |  | Position #3| 245,272| 30.2%| 722,084 | 50.1%
James Johnson |  | Position #3| 250,315| 30.8%| 718,707 | 49.9%
Stan Morse |  | Position #3| 82,103| 10.1%|  |
Michael Spearman |  | Position #3| 233,863| 28.8%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles W. Johnson A |  | Position #4| 319,798| 40.8%| 752,546 | 54.6%
Pamela Loginsky |  | Position #4| 287,885| 36.7%| 626,071 | 45.4%
Doug Shafer |  | Position #4| 175,452| 22.4%|  |

Candidate | Incumbent

|

Bobbe Bridge A | Yes

[15][16][17]

# 2000[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Susan Owens A |  | Position #2| 251,265| 26.3%| 982,275 | 52.4%
Jeff Sullivan |  | Position #2| 176,700| 18.5%| 891,535 | 47.6%
Barrie Althoff |  | Position #2| 81,071| 8.5%|  |
David Larson |  | Position #2| 133,742| 14%|  |
Terry Carroll |  | Position #2| 151,682| 15.9%|  |
Doug Schafer |  | Position #2| 100,990| 10.5%|  |
Geoff Crooks |  | Position #2| 57,890| 6%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Bobbe Bridge A |  | Position #7| 560,345| 61.8%|  | 100%
Scott S. Schwieger |  | Position #7| 345,781| 38.1%|  |
[18][19]

# 1998[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Faith Ireland A |  | Position #1| 237,086| 29.9%| 933,647 | 60.8%
Jim Foley |  | Position #1| 156,586| 19.7%| 602,290 | 39.2%
Douglas J. Smith |  | Position #1| 76,281| 9.6%|  |
Eric Nielsen |  | Position #1| 45,762| 5.7%|  |
Kris Sundberg |  | Position #1| 131,310| 16.5%|  |
Glen Prior |  | Position #1| 21,529| 2.7%|  |
Hugh Spitzer |  | Position #1| 123,795| 15.6%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Barbara Madsen A |  | Position #5| 361,403| 46%| 1,026,430 | 68.1%
Jim Bates |  | Position #5| 248,329| 31.6%| 480,088 | 31.9%
Linda Callahan McCaslin |  | Position #5| 174,826| 22.2%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Richard Sanders A |  | Position #5| 497,668| 63.7%|  | 100%
Greg Canova |  | Position #5| 283,155| 36.2%|  |
[20][21]

# 1996[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Barbara Durham A |  | Position #1| 479,244| 52.5%|  | 100%
Kathryn Ross |  | Position #1| 259,402| 28.4%|  |
Mark Mestel |  | Position #1| 173,899| 19%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles W. Johnson A |  | Position #3| 390,191| 46.9%| 975,945 | 62.2%
Douglas J. Smith |  | Position #3| 284,113| 34.2%| 592,007 | 37.8%
Barnett N. Kalikow |  | Position #3| 155,992| 18.7%|  |

# 1995[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|

Richard Sanders A |  | Position #1| 575,822 | 53.6%
Roselle Pekelis |  | Position #1| 496,595 | 46.3%

[22]

# 1994[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Richard Guy A |  | Position #1| 357,216| 52.6%|  | 100%
Kevin Patrick Dolan |  | Position #1| 321,647| 47.3%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Gerry Alexander A |  | Position #2| 319,027| 44.2%| 731,090 | 52.8%
Janice Niemi |  | Position #2| 232,272| 32.2%| 653,131 | 47.2%
Faith Enyeart Ireland |  | Position #2| 169,115| 23.4%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Phil Talmadge A |  | Position #3| 257,549| 35.6%| 804,669 | 57%
Grant L. Anderson |  | Position #3| 92,391| 12.7%|  |
[23]

# 1992[edit]

Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

Barbara Madsen A |  | Position #1| 252,505| 27.6%| 900,614 | 50.6%
Elaine Houghton |  | Position #1| 238,503| 26.1%| 877,489 | 49.3%
Keith Callow |  | Position #1| 208,412| 22.8%|  |
Edward Heavey |  | Position #1| 139,669| 15.3%|  |
Philip Rodriguez |  | Position #1| 73,005| 8%|  |
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat| Primary votes| Primary %| Election votes | Election %

|
|
|
|
|
|

James M. Dolliver A |  | Position #2| 345,476| 42.9%| 1,033,638 | 61.7%
Kevin Patrick Dolan |  | Position #2| 245,658| 30.5%| 639,168 | 61.7%
David A. Summers |  | Position #2| 212,614| 26.4%|  |

Candidate | Incumbent

|

Robert F. Utter A | Yes

[24]

## See also[edit]

Washington | Judicial Selection | More Courts

|
|

Courts in Washington Washington Court of Appeals Washington Supreme Court |  Elections: 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 Gubernatorial appointments Judicial selection in Washington |  Federal courts State courts Local courts

## External links[edit]

|  Suggest a link

|

* Search Google News for this topic
* Washington Secretary of State

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection Methods," accessed August 18, 2021
2. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection Methods," accessed August 18, 2021
3. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection Methods," accessed August 18, 2021
4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `general`
5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `const`
6. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Judicial Selection Methods," accessed August 18, 2021
7. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results: Supreme Court - Justice Position 1"
8. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results: Supreme Court - Justice Position 5"
9. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2008 General Election Results"
10. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 2008 Primary Results"
11. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #2, State Supreme Court"
12. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #1, State Supreme Court"
13. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #4, State Supreme Court"
14. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #6, State Supreme Court"
15. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #7, State Supreme Court"
16. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #3, State Supreme Court"
17. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #4, State Supreme Court"
18. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #2, State Supreme Court"
19. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #7, State Supreme Court"
20. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #6, State Supreme Court"
21. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #1, State Supreme Court"
22. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #2, State Supreme Court"
23. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #2, State Supreme Court"
24. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Past Election Results: Position #3, State Supreme Court"

Washington courts

* * *

Federal courts:

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington

State courts:

Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts

State resources:

Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington