Seattle Times Endorsed Theo Angelis for Supreme Court
The editorial board chose the incumbent justice over challenger Dave Larson for the state's Position 5 seat.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Law
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The Seattle Times Editorial Board has endorsed incumbent Justice Theo Angelis for the Washington State Supreme Court Position 5 seat. Angelis, who was appointed to the court in March 2026, will compete against Dave Larson in the November election.
Why it matters
The board highlighted Angelis' approach to legal reasoning and his stated respect for the boundaries of judicial authority. This endorsement provides voters with a key signal ahead of the general election as they decide the future of the court.
Justice Theo Angelis holds a law degree from Yale Law School and previously clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Sharonda Amamilo placed third in the primary election, failing to advance to the final round.
The players
Theo Angelis
He is a justice on the Washington State Supreme Court who previously worked as a partner at the law firm K&L Gates.
Dave Larson
He is a candidate for the Washington State Supreme Court Position 5 seat competing against the incumbent in the upcoming general election.
Bob Ferguson
He serves as the Governor of Washington and was responsible for appointing Angelis to the state's highest court.
Sharonda Amamilo
She is an attorney who competed in the primary election for the Position 5 seat but finished in third place.
The details
The editorial board reached its decision after conducting interviews with the candidates running for the Position 5 seat. Angelis brings private practice experience from the firm K&L Gates to his current role on the bench.
Timeline
In 2021, the State Supreme Court ruled on juvenile life sentences.
Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed Theo Angelis to the court in March 2026.
The general election featuring Angelis and Dave Larson occurs in November 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the current bench often argue that judicial appointments should be scrutinized for perceived overreach rather than just technical reasoning. This skepticism highlights the divide between those favoring the incumbent and those seeking a change in the court's direction.
Voters across the state will have the final say on the composition of the court in the upcoming November election. This decision impacts how state law is interpreted and applied in future judicial rulings affecting every resident.
The takeaway
Judicial elections serve as a critical check on state power and allow citizens to shape the bench directly. Voters should research each candidate's history to determine which judicial philosophy best aligns with their expectations for the court.
What happens next
Voters will decide the winner of the Position 5 seat during the general election in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the current legal landscape, visit the Law section.
More information
To review the platform and background of the incumbent, visit the Justice Angelis campaign website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Herald.
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