Nicole Gaines Phelps
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2029
Nicole Gaines Phelps is a judge for Department 14 of the King County Superior Court in Washington. Her current term ends on January 9, 2029.
Phelps won re-election for the Department 14 judge of the King County Superior Court in Washington outright in the primary on August 6, 2024, after the primary and general election were canceled.
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2024)
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Nicole Gaines Phelps (Nonpartisan) won the election without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Phelps in this election.
2020
See also: Municipal elections in King County, Washington (2020)
General election
The general election was canceled. Nicole Gaines Phelps (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
2016
Washington held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. Candidates for district and superior court seats had to file for election by May 20, 2016. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2016, for six seats where more than two candidates filed for election. Nicole Gaines Phelps defeated David Greenspan in the King Superior Court nonpartisan general election for Position 14.[1]
| King County Superior Court, Position 14 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Nicole Gaines Phelps |
79.31% | 621,163 |
| David Greenspan | 20.69% | 162,057 |
| Total Votes | 783,220 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 8, 2016 General Election Results," accessed November 13, 2016 | ||
Selection method
For more information about judicial selection processes in each state, click here.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Nicole Gaines Phelps did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Nicole Gaines Phelps did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Phelps participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display her responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies her to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am deeply committed to insuring all persons have access to our legal system. As a child, I saw first hand my parents struggle with being denied access to the legal system in the time of their greatest need. This experience fueled my passion to ensure our legal system is accessible to ALL persons: as such, I have dedicated a substantial portion of my time to community events and programs helping to educate the public on their legal rights.[2][3] | ” |
When asked why she was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I'm running because all King County residents deserve Superior Court Judges with the integrity to put aside all personal bias; the intellectual capacity to interpret and apply the law; and enough understanding of human nature to deliver justice with compassion. With your vote in November, I will strive every day to be that Judge for you.[2][3] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who she admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | My judicial heroes in Washington State are Federal Judges: Richard Jones and Richardo Martinez. In the State: WA Supreme Court Justices Chief Madsen, Justices Yu and Gonzalez because of the above mentioned Judges and Justices are known for being exceptionally well qualified jurist but ALSO highly involved in service to the community at large.[2][3] | ” |
When asked about her primary concern regarding today's judicial system in her state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Affordable legal representation is a significant and serious barrier to our justice system. In my role as an Administrative Law Judge, I begin every proceeding with the declaration, “you are entitled to the assistance of legal representation at your own expense.” This statement invariably invokes the same response, “I know your Honor but I can’t afford an attorney.” This reality is not unique to the administrative law setting. This same response is echoed through our civil legal system─all too often in legal proceedings which have substantial ramifications on the party’s life.
Our legal system is complex. We, as attorneys, complete three years of graduate school in addition to countless post-graduate school hours learning our trade. For the younger generation, the opportunity to participate in the honorable profession also comes with an excessive amount of financial debt. In order to “recoup” on the investment in their legal education, attorneys are often forced to charge an hourly rate which far exceeds the financial feasibility of the average household income. This, in combination with the declining number of law school graduates, has created a beyond troubling access to justice challenge.[2][3] |
” |
Additional themes
Phelps provided the following statement for the Washington general election voters pamphlet:
| “ |
Nicole Gaines Phelps brings broad judicial, legal, and life experience to the bench. As a King County pro tem and Administrative Law Judge, Nicole is committed to providing equal access to justice in her courtroom. As an attorney, Nicole practiced both civil and criminal law, ensuring that Constitutional rights were accessible to all. In her community, Nicole works to eliminate barriers to legal services and educates the public on their legal rights. Nicole's family taught her the value of equality and social justice early in life. She has dedicated her legal career to helping people find justice in unjust situations. All King County residents deserve Superior Court Judges with the integrity to put aside personal bias; the intellectual capacity to interpret and apply the law; and enough understanding of human nature to deliver justice with compassion. With your vote, Nicole Gaines-Phelps will strive every day to be that Judge for you.[4][3] |
” |
| —Nicole Gaines Phelps (2016) | ||
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 21, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Nicole Gaines Phelps's Responses," September 29, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Voters Pamphlet," accessed October 24, 2016
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Washington, Western District of Washington
State courts:
Washington Supreme Court • Washington Court of Appeals • Washington Superior Court • Washington District Courts • Washington Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Washington • Washington judicial elections • Judicial selection in Washington
