WA Supreme Court Justice Questioned Over Bob Ferguson Campaign Donations

Washington Supreme Court Justice Theo Angelis is facing questions about his campaign contributions to Gov. Bob Ferguson and his professional relationships with political leaders connected to Washington's income tax legislation. During a debate ahead of the November 3, 2026 election, Angelis and challenger Judge Dave Larson address judicial independence, political donations and whether Washington's judicial appointment system creates an appearance of bias. In this Washington In Focus Daily report, The Center Square examines the race for Washington Supreme Court Position 5 and what it could mean for future legal challenges involving state government policies. WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT JUSTICE QUESTIONED ABOUT FERGUSON DONATIONS Justice Theo Angelis, appointed to the Washington Supreme Court by Gov. Bob Ferguson, faces questions about campaign contributions he previously made to Ferguson and state Sen. Jamie Pedersen. Angelis previously worked at K&L Gates alongside Ferguson and Pedersen and described Pedersen as an early professional mentor. Pedersen sponsored Washington's income tax legislation, which Ferguson signed into law. The debate question centers on whether those relationships could affect Angelis's ability to impartially consider a future legal challenge to the income tax. Angelis defends his judicial independence and explains the steps he takes to identify potential personal biases when reviewing cases. JUDGE DAVE LARSON CHALLENGES WASHINGTON'S JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT SYSTEM Judge Dave Larson, Angelis's challenger for Supreme Court Position 5, argues that the governor's power to appoint judges can create an appearance of political favoritism. Larson says the issue is not necessarily the qualifications of any individual justice, but the public's confidence in the appointment process. He proposes reforms that would allow governors to select judicial candidates from a merit-based shortlist. The discussion also examines former Gov. Jay Inslee's judicial appointments and concerns about the number of uncontested judicial elections in Washington. FIVE WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT SEATS ON THE BALLOT Washington voters will decide five of the nine Supreme Court positions in the November 3 election. The episode features excerpts from judicial debates organized by the Washington Policy Center and the Ruckelshaus Center. The races could influence how Washington's highest court approaches future disputes involving state laws, constitutional questions and government authority. SNOHOMISH COUNTY BALLOT PRINTING ERROR The report also discusses a ballot printing error affecting more than 550,000 Snohomish County election ballots. County election officials attributed the mistake to a proofreading and printing error. IN THIS REPORT: Washington Supreme Court Position 5 election Justice Theo Angelis vs. Judge Dave Larson Gov. Bob Ferguson's judicial appointment Campaign donations and judicial independence State Sen. Jamie Pedersen and Washington's income tax Potential judicial conflicts of interest Washington Supreme Court election debates Judicial appointment reform Five Supreme Court seats on the 2026 ballot Snohomish County ballot printing error Washington's November 3 general election WASHINGTON ELECTION INFORMATION Washington's general election is November 3, 2026. Voters can return their ballots early to help election officials process and count votes more efficiently. GET WASHINGTON NEWS SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE Keeping up with Washington state news shouldn't feel like a second job. The Center Square sends important Washington government and policy updates approximately twice a week, explaining what happened, why it matters and what it could mean for you. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or use the link in the description. Subscribe to Washington In Focus Daily for reporting on Washington elections, income taxes, government accountability, judicial races and taxpayer issues. #WashingtonSupremeCourt #BobFerguson #WashingtonElections #JudicialBias #WashingtonIncomeTax #DaveLarson #TheoAngelis #WashingtonPolitics #TheCenterSquare