Candidate Larson Criticizes PAC Mailers in Court Race

The Washington State Supreme Court candidate issued an open letter decrying campaign mailers sent by a political action committee.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a geometric silhouette of a courthouse dome, symbolizing state judicial authority. — Washington State Supreme Court candidate Dave Larson criticized a political action committee for distributing campaign mailers he claims contain misleading judicial information. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should political action committees be allowed to fund mailers that target candidates for judicial office?

Washington State Supreme Court candidate Dave Larson is challenging campaign mailers distributed by the political action committee Beware the Attack on Our Courts. The PAC claims five judicial candidates pose risks to reproductive, voting, and environmental rights.

Why it matters

Larson argues the materials contain misleading claims about the judicial candidates, while the PAC maintains it is countering a coordinated effort to pack the court. The dispute highlights rising tensions in the 2026 election cycle for the state's high court.

Five Washington State Supreme Court seats are up for election in 2026, representing more than half of the nine total seats on the bench. The PAC behind the mailers is backed by the Washington Education Association and the Service Employees International Union.

The players

Dave Larson

He is a judicial candidate running for Position 5 on the Washington State Supreme Court.

Beware the Attack on Our Courts

This political action committee is funded by labor unions and legal groups to influence judicial elections.

Washington Education Association

This professional organization and labor union represents public school employees across the state.

Service Employees International Union

This major labor union represents nearly two million workers across a variety of service industries.

Theo Angelis

He currently serves as a Justice on the Washington State Supreme Court.

The details

In an open letter, Larson addressed the mailers, which target him and four other candidates including Scott Edwards, David Stevens, Sean O'Donnell, and Todd Bloom. The PAC claims its distribution of these materials is a necessary measure against conservative efforts to alter the composition of the court.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Dave Larson discussed the PAC mailers in a public interview.
2026: Five Washington State Supreme Court seats appear on the ballot.

Political Context

The dispute follows a pattern set by previous challenges regarding transparency in judicial electioneering under Washington State Public Disclosure Commission campaign finance regulations. Opponents argue that such PAC mailers distort judicial neutrality, while supporters contend they provide essential information to voters.

Voters across Washington will see increased campaign activity as five judicial seats are decided in the 2026 election. The conflict serves as a reminder for residents to evaluate judicial candidate credentials independently of PAC-funded campaign literature.

The takeaway

Judicial elections are increasingly becoming battlegrounds for large political action committees. Voters should focus on candidate qualifications and judicial philosophies rather than solely relying on partisan campaign flyers.