Washington judicial elections, 2017
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The terms of two judges on Washington's state-level courts expired in January 2018. Those judges were required to stand for nonpartisan election in 2017 in order to remain on the bench. The general election took place on November 7, 2017.
Candidates
Court of Appeals
Division 1
Position 2
■ Michael Spearman (Incumbent)
■ Nathan Choi
Position 5
■ David S. Mann (Incumbent)
Election results
Court of Appeals
Division 1
Position 2
Incumbent Michael Spearman defeated Nathan Choi in the general election for Position 2 on Division 1 of the Washington Court of Appeals.[1]
| General Election for Washington Court of Appeals Division 1, Position 2, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Michael Spearman Incumbent |
76.27% | 324,760 |
| Nathan Choi | 23.73% | 101,016 |
| Total Votes | 425,776 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 7, 2017 General Election Results," accessed December 21, 2017 | ||
Position 5
Incumbent David S. Mann ran unopposed in the general election for Position 5 on Division 1 of the Washington Court of Appeals.[1]
| General Election for Washington Court of Appeals Division 1, Position 5, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| David S. Mann Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 324,883 |
| Total Votes | 324,883 | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "November 7, 2017 General Election Results," accessed December 21, 2017 | ||
Contested race for Position 2
Two candidates competed for the Position 2 seat. Incumbent Judge Michael Spearman defeated attorney Nathan Choi. Spearman was given a rating of "Exceptionally qualified" by several Washington bar associations.[2] As of October 5, 2017, rating information for Choi was not available.[3]
Judge Michael Spearman (Incumbent)
Candidate's website
Attorney Nathan Choi (Challenger)
Candidate's website
The Washington state organization VotingforJudge profiles state judicial candidates. Each candidate submitted a statement:
| “ | Michael Spearman was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to the Court of Appeals in 2010, following a distinguished 14-year career as a King County Superior Court judge. He has also served as a mediator and arbitrator in private practice helping individuals resolve their disputes outside of court. He is well respected for his calm demeanor, intelligence and impartiality.
Judge Spearman has been endorsed by over 90 judges from across the state (including all Justices of the Washington State Supreme Court) as well as Legislators (Roger Goodman, Jamie Pedersen, Ruth Kagi, Cindy Ryu, Joan McBride, Marcie Maxwell, ret., Adam Kline, ret.). Council Members (Rod Dembowski, Larry Gossett, Joe McDermott, Kathy Lambert, Tim Burgess), AG Bob Ferguson, former US Attorney John McKay, former AG Rob McKenna, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, and Community Leaders (Bobbe & Jon Bridge, George Griffin, Fe Lopez, Karl de Jong, Ron Ward), the King County Democrats and the 36th, 37th and 41st LDs. Judge Spearman is the more experienced and better qualified candidate for this position. You are invited to compare for yourself at www.votingforjudges.org. Please vote to re-elect Judge Spearman to the Court of Appeals.[4] |
” |
| “ | Over the course of my legal career, I have had the honor of practicing law and helping people all across our great United States; and throughout the globe. I have the necessary experience and background to face the dynamic challenges that our Judiciary will encounter due to the constant advancement of our society. I have been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and most proudly MENSA.
I believe Judiciary access is for everyone and not just those who can afford it. I am determined to uphold the Washington and U.S. Constitutions; and willing to challenge any Governmental entity that dishonors it. We must protect all Washingtonians and continue to ensure our economic prosperity by making intelligent decisions and wise interpretations of laws to benefit all the people in our EverGreat State. Chief Justice Ronald Moon (1993 to 2010) proclaims it the best, “I am indeed honored to endorse you as a Judge with the King County Court of Appeals. Your unwavering interest and work throughout the years in the legal field indicates a strong commitment to Public Service, which I'm confident the Washington State Judiciary would deem to be a Great Asset.”[4] |
” |
Selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Washington
Judges in Washington are selected in nonpartisan elections. Elected judges serve six-year terms.[5] Elections are held on the state's general election date and may be held in both odd and even-numbered years.[6] Washington is a vote-by-mail state.[7] If more than two candidates file for a position, a nonpartisan primary is held.[8] The two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes in the primary advance to the general election.[9][10]
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election, at which point he or she may run to serve for the remainder of the predecessor's term.[11] If the resignation and subsequent appointment take place after the filing period for that year's elections opens, the appointee must stand in the next year's election in order to remain on the bench.
Local trial court elections
Washington held local judicial elections on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on August 1, 2017. The filing deadline for this election was May 19, 2017.
State profile
| Demographic data for Washington | ||
|---|---|---|
| Washington | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 7,160,290 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 66,456 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 77.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 3.6% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 7.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 1.3% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 5.2% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 12% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 90.4% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 32.9% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $61,062 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 14.4% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Washington. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Washington
Washington voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, five are located in Washington, accounting for 2.43 percent of the total pivot counties.[12]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Washington had four Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 2.21 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Washington coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Washington
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- Public policy in Washington
- Endorsers in Washington
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- More...
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Washington court elections 2017' OR 'Washington judicial election'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2017 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed June 13, 2017
- ↑ VotingforJudges.org, "Michael Spearman," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ VotingforJudges.org, "Nathan Choi," accessed October 5, 2017
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Washington," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Judicial Elections in Washington State," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting - Vote by Mail," accessed July 18, 2014
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.52.220," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.36.170," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ Washington Courts, "Judicial Election Information," July 13, 2012, accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Washington," accessed August 31, 2016
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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