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We had the hardest time choosing between Jaime Hawk and Mike Diaz, the other lefty (for a judge) candidate in the August primary. Ultimately, we went with Diaz because of his wide breadth of experience as a Washington Court of Appeals judge and as the prosecutor who put the Seattle Police Department under the consent decree for murdering Indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth woodcarver John T. Williams. Diaz did not make the cut, so now we get to endorse Hawk. And it is so easy to sing her praises.

Hawk has spent her career as a state public defender and as an assistant federal public defender in Eastern Washington and Idaho. She also served as the legal strategy advisor for the ACLU’s Washington Campaign for Smart Justice (real title), where, as a civil rights attorney, she defended voting rights, argued against cash bail and jail overcrowding, and worked to reduce bias in the justice system ... Hawk became the first ACLU attorney in Washington State to become a judge. In King County Superior Court, she’s judged criminal, civil, and appellate trials. Hawk will be a worthy addition to the Washington State Supreme Court.

Especially when you consider whom she’s running against. Former Spokane prosecutor and current Mason County Superior Court Judge David Stevens is very unhappy with the State Supreme Court and believes it is overstepping in its decision-making; he is particularly displeased with the lengths the Court has gone to make juries more representative, saying that jurors should not be selected based on race. Stevens also believes the Court shouldn’t be allowed to reinterpret the state constitution, which is their fucking job sometimes, and a big sign he thinks the Millionaires Tax is a big no-no. Oh, and would you look at that, one of the guys behind the anti–Millionaires Tax ballot initiative, Steve Gordon, gave Stevens $1,200. On the topic of red flag donors, the Council of Police Political Support gave him $4,800. If this is not enough, we will leave you with one more factoid: His favorite US Supreme Court justices are Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito, three men who are in Hell or will be soon. Vote Hawk.

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Jaime Hawk and David Stevens are both Washington superior court judges seeking a seat on the state’s highest court. The similarities largely end there.

Hawk, a King County judge and the former legal strategy director for the state ACLU, was cheered at this year’s state Democratic convention, is endorsed by most of the state’s Democratic leadership and cites liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the U.S. Supreme Court justice she most admires.

Stevens, a Mason County judge, Navy veteran, former public defender and prosecutor, is supported by the state Republican Party, sometimes campaigns with a handgun on his hip and cites arch conservative Clarence Thomas as the current U.S. Supreme Court justice he most admires.

With five state Supreme Court seats up for election this November, and the chance to reshape the court for years to come, the Position 3 race between Hawk and Stevens presents one of the starker choices on the ballot.

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Jaime Hawk

Judge Jaime Hawk is running for Washington State Supreme Court Position 3. She has served on the King County Superior Court ... [and] as a public defender, during which she represented thousands of people and advocated for the constitutional rights of individuals who otherwise could not afford legal representation. Her career has also included serving as a federal defender in Eastern Washington and leading statewide advocacy efforts as an attorney for the ACLU of Washington, where she worked to protect civil liberties, constitutional rights, and equal justice under the law.

As a Superior Court judge, Hawk has presided over criminal, civil, and family law cases with fairness, independence, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom. She also serves on the Washington Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission, where she works to strengthen public trust in the courts and expand access to justice. At a time when our fundamental freedoms are under threat from the federal government, Judge Hawk has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring our legal system serves everyone, not just the powerful and wealthy. Her experience serving communities across Washington and her lifelong dedication to fairness, equal justice, and the rule of law make her well qualified to serve on our state's highest court.

Due to her commitment to equitable justice and her judicial experience, we recommend Jaime Hawk for Washington Supreme Court Position 3.

David Stevens

Judge David Stevens has served on the Mason County Superior Court after previously working as a prosecutor and in private practice. Before joining the bench, he ran for public office as a Republican, including unsuccessful campaigns for the Washington House of Representatives in 2004 and for Spokane County Prosecutor in 2010. He also served as the Vice Chair of the Spokane County Republican Party.

In a candidate pledge, Stevens represented extreme right-wing views on an array of issues. He advocated for the “sanctity of life” from conception onward, insisted marriage is between one man and one woman, expressed support for abolishing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and advocated for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations. If elected, Stevens would pose a serious threat to our civil liberties, including abortion care access, LGBTQ+ protections, workers’ rights, and rebalancing our upside-down tax code. We recommend voting for Judge Jamie Hawk for state Supreme Court Position 3.

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For Position 3 on the state Supreme Court, the editorial board endorsed appeals court judge Michael Diaz.

Diaz fell short of votes in the August primary, leaving two candidates in the general election: Jaime Hawk and David Stevens.

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SEATTLE, WA — King County Superior Court Judge Jaime Hawk today announced her candidacy for the Washington State Supreme Court. A longtime federal public defender and civil rights attorney before becoming a judge, Hawk has rooted her career in public service and a deep commitment to equal access to justice for all. She seeks the position being vacated by current Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, who is not seeking re-election.

“Our Supreme Court needs justices with broad experience, an understanding of how the laws of our state impact people and families, and a commitment to ensuring equal treatment under the law,” said Judge Hawk. “I’ve spent my career dedicated to making the promise of justice real. On the Supreme Court, I will protect your rights and freedoms, and the rule of law.”

Governor Jay Inslee appointed Judge Hawk to King County Superior Court. She was subsequently elected twice. Previously, she built a legal career including service as a state and federal public defender in eastern Washington and as an attorney with the ACLU of Washington.

Judge Hawk previously lived and worked in central and eastern Washington, including Grant and Spokane Counties. She has practiced law around the state, and was also an adjunct professor of law at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, where she earned her law degree.

Hawk begins her campaign with strong support from top elected leaders and over 50 current and former judges, including Governor Bob Ferguson, Justice Helen Whitener, retired Justice Mary Yu, and Court of Appeals (Div. 1) Chief Judge Cecily Hazelrigg.

“Judge Hawk is a tenacious and principled fighter for justice and the rights of all people,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “She will bring a needed voice to our Court at a time that requires champions for the freedoms and protections guaranteed in our state Constitution. She will be an excellent State Supreme Court Justice.”

There are five Supreme Court positions on the ballot this year. The upcoming retirement of Justice Montoya-Lewis, and recent retirements of Justices Barbara Madsen and Mary Yu, could result in the loss of a majority-women Court that has brought important balance and diverse perspectives to the bench in recent years.

“In a year when we are losing diverse women’s voices on our highest Court, Jaime Hawk will bring important experience as a respected judge, longtime civil rights attorney, and champion for the rights of all people to the Supreme Court,” said Justice Helen Whitener. “She deserves our vote.”

“Judge Hawk is a proven champion for diverse and marginalized communities in our state,” said former Justice Mary Yu. “At a time when immigrants, women, and communities throughout our state are under pressure from federal threats, Jaime Hawk will ensure that our state laws are upheld and that all people will be treated fairly in our justice system.”

Throughout her tenure on the King County Superior Court, Judge Hawk has presided over a wide range of complex cases, earning a reputation for fairness, thoughtfulness, and commitment to the law. In addition to her work in the courtroom, she has led community engagement and access to justice initiatives, regularly speaking with young people about the legal system and civic participation.

“Washington deserves a Supreme Court justice who understands the real-world consequences of judicial decisions — on families, on communities, and on the most vulnerable people in our state,” said Judge Hawk. “I am honored to ask for Washingtonians’ support in this race.”

Judge Hawk’s campaign will focus on upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional rights, expanding access to justice, and ensuring an independent and impartial judiciary for Washingtonians.

For more information, visit judgehawk.com