Larson and Angelis Will Compete for Supreme Court Seat
Voters will decide the state Supreme Court race in the November 2026 general election.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Law
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Dave Larson and Theo Angelis are competing for a seat on the Washington State Supreme Court in the upcoming November 2026 election. The winner of this contest will serve a term lasting through January 2029.
Why it matters
The race highlights the tension between appointed judicial incumbents and challengers in Washington, where voters choose justices for seats that are currently non-partisan on the ballot. This election is part of a larger cycle featuring five open seats on the state Supreme Court.
Dave Larson brings 18 years of experience as a Federal Way Municipal Court judge, while Theo Angelis is a Yale Law School graduate and former K&L Gates partner. Five total court seats are being contested in the November 2026 election.
The players
Dave Larson
He is a retired municipal court judge who previously served for 18 years in Federal Way and has garnered support from several political parties.
Theo Angelis
He is a Yale Law School graduate and former partner at K&L Gates who was appointed to the state Supreme Court in March 2026.
Bob Ferguson
He is the Governor of Washington who holds the authority to appoint individuals to fill judicial vacancies within the state.
The details
Dave Larson, who lost a previous bid by approximately 20,000 votes in 2024, has secured endorsements from the Washington state Republican Party, the Forward Party, and the Cascade Party. Appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson in March 2026, Theo Angelis aims to maintain his position on the bench during this election cycle.
Timeline
Dave Larson retired as a municipal court judge at the end of 2025.
Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Theo Angelis to the court in March 2026.
The general election for the Supreme Court seats will occur in November 2026.
Political Context
The race follows the structural requirements established by the Washington State Constitution. This election cycle reflects the ongoing debate over whether judicial seats should be filled by executive appointment or direct election.
Voters will decide who fills the seat through November 2026, directly shaping the judicial bench that interprets state laws. Because judicial candidates appear without party labels on the ballot, residents must research individual track records to understand the implications for civil rights and legal policy.
The takeaway
This election represents a pivotal moment for Washington voters to weigh the experience of a longtime municipal judge against an appointed incumbent. Understanding the balance between gubernatorial appointment and voter-led retention is key to evaluating judicial candidates in this state.
What happens next
The general election for the Washington State Supreme Court will take place in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the current legal landscape, visit Washington Law.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spokesman Review.
Live Poll
Do you trust judges who were initially appointed by a governor to remain politically impartial?
