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While the choice for this open seat was more difficult, we ultimately decided to support a proven, open-minded reformer over a cautious institutionalist. Vote Judge Hawk.

We were very impressed by Judge Hawk, a King County Superior Court judge. The first in her family to go to college, let alone law school, she worked as a public defender in state and federal courts before joining the ACLU of Washington. While at the ACLU, she worked on ending mass incarceration and promoting economic justice. She was subsequently appointed to King County Superior Court by Governor Inslee, and she also serves on the Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission. We appreciated Judge Hawk's demonstrated commitment to fighting for individuals targeted by powerful institutions.

We especially valued Judge Hawk's perspective on housing law, which was informed by her work as a volunteer tenants' rights attorney and as a judge hearing eviction cases. In her interview, she emphasized her efforts to ensure that tenants facing eviction in King County have meaningful access to lawyers. Judge Hawk described facing institutional pressure from other judges to speed up eviction cases, even though tenants' lawyers are already overwhelmed. We appreciated her willingness to resist that pressure. We believe she will be a strong, fair Supreme Court Justice.

We were also impressed by Judge Hawk's opponent, Court of Appeals judge J. Mike Diaz, whose inspiring personal story – immigrating from Peru and excelling in college and law school – is very moving. We were concerned, though, that Judge Diaz's career exemplified a more cautious, institutionalist approach than Judge Hawk's long career fighting for justice. Judge Diaz's six years as a corporate lawyer gave us pause – especially given some of his recent anti-worker judicial opinions, one of which was unanimously reversed by Washington's Supreme Court.

We also worried about some of his experiences as a lawyer for the Department of Justice. In that capacity, he defended the US Postal Service for allegedly retaliating against an employee who reported racial discrimination, a Navy recruiter who acknowledged causing a car accident, and three ICE agents accused of unlawfully detaining an American veteran. This experience contrasts sharply with Judge Hawk's record of fighting for the victims of mass incarceration – including fighting for immigrants as a federal public defender.

To be fair, Judge Diaz did engage in civil rights work after these cases: he helped enforce the federal Fair Housing Act and the federal consent decree that attempted to reform the Seattle Police Department. But Judge Diaz lacks Judge Hawk's ground-level experience with housing law, and his comments about the consent decree illustrated the limits of cautious institutionalism. Judge Diaz began by invoking the murder of John T. Williams, but, when asked why the consent decree failed to reduce police killings, claimed that his team had only focused on reducing other forms of police violence while, apparently, ignoring killings and violence against protestors. What good is a consent decree that doesn't protect basic constitutional rights, or even the right to breathe? We'll take Judge Hawk's years of advocacy over the consent decree's empty promises.

Oh, there's also a third candidate: David Stevens, a Mason County Superior Court judge endorsed by the Washington Republican Party who loves Clarence Thomas. He didn't engage with our process, which saved everyone a lot of time. Don't vote for him.

Washingtonians should elect justices who fight hard and consistently for equal justice. While we respect Judge Diaz, and would probably endorse him against a weaker opponent, we feel that Judge Hawk's track record makes her the best candidate in this race to confront Washington's pressing legal crises. Vote Hawk.

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Two progressive candidates are running for State Supreme Court, Position 3. We lean toward Hawk because of her progressive values and experience.

Jaime Hawk

Judge Jaime Hawk is running for Washington State Supreme Court Position 3. She has served on the King County Superior Court .... 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 lean toward Jaime Hawk for Washington Supreme Court Position 3.

Mike Diaz

Judge Mike Diaz has served on the Washington Court of Appeals following a legal career that included private practice, federal service with the U.S. Department of Justice, and earlier service as a King County Superior Court judge. He brings extensive trial and appellate experience, having presided over dozens of jury and bench trials across criminal, civil, and family law matters and authored more than 200 appellate opinions shaping Washington law. Diaz is also recognized for his leadership on improving access to justice, including serving as chair of the Washington Supreme Court's Interpreter and Language Access Commission, where he worked to expand court access for non-English speakers, and for his service on the Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct, helping uphold ethical standards in the judiciary.

However, Diaz's record reflects decisions that raise concerns about how he would approach workers' rights. In one case, Diaz argued that workers did not have to be paid for small amounts of required work they completed before their shifts. The Washington Court of Appeals unanimously rejected that argument, ruling that Washington law requires employees to be paid for all required work time. He also wrote an opinion that allowed employers to limit low-wage workers from taking second jobs, a decision the Washington Supreme Court again unanimously overturned.

While we are disappointed in his workers' rights rulings, Diaz's experience makes him well qualified to serve on the State Supreme Court.

Other Candidates

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 lean towards Judge Jamie Hawk for state Supreme Court Position 3.

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The candidates: When Raquel Montoya-Lewis announced she would not seek a second term, she set up a duel between two Democrat-backed candidates, each of them raising triple-digit sums.

Jaime Hawk highlights that she is the first attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington to become a judge. She points to her past experience as a federal public defender representing people who could not afford a lawyer. She observed Guantanamo Bay military hearings and assisted immigrant families at the border.

Mike Diaz has been a judge for the Washington Court of Appeals and King County Superior Court, where he also became chief judge of the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center. When he was an assistant U.S. attorney, he founded the office's civil rights unit and took part in efforts to reform the Seattle Police Department through the federal consent decree.

The third candidate, David Stevens, has been a Mason County Superior Court judge since he won the seat in November 2023. He's a critic of the tradition of governors appointing judges and is backed by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.

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State appeals court judge Michael Diaz had a heads-up that state Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis was resigning and got in the day after she announced in January she wasn't running again. With eight years on the bench, an immigrant's story and accolades for reining in Seattle Police while at the U.S. Attorney's office, Diaz quickly got blue-chip endorsements and locked up Gov. Bob Ferguson's campaign fundraiser for a relatively rare open seat.

In the months since, rumblings have circulated about a Diaz appellate opinion that ticked off labor and his defense of ICE agents while at the DOJ. This month, politically-connected King County Superior Court Judge Jaime Hawk, a former federal public defender and ACLU attorney, got in with a challenge from his left.

The race for Supreme Court position 3 looks to be a good one up through the primary. A third candidate, Mason County Superior Court Judge David Stevens, says he'd emulate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It's not typically a winning play in WA, but if he or another right-lane candidate can galvanize conservative voters, Diaz and Hawk could effectively run expensive campaigns to split the Democratic vote in the primary.

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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