Debra L. StephensDebra L. Stephens

Washington State has several State Supreme Court races this year, which is the body that interprets the state constitution and laws. The next State Supreme Court will likely take up the issue of the Millionaire’s Tax and immigrant rights, among other critical issues, which is why the mega-wealthy are running their own WA Supreme Court candidates to overturn progressive victories. Our endorsements represent a slate of candidates that have experience defending working people, immigrants, reproductive and gender affirming care, and are committed to expanding access to justice. This August, vote: Colleen Melody (Position 1), Jaime Hawk (Position 3), Theo Angelis (Position 5), and Debra Stephens (Position 7) to defend and expand our rights in these areas!

Incumbent Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens is running for re-election to the Washington State Supreme Court Position 7. She has served on the court since 2008 and began a second term as Chief Justice in 2025. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Stephens served as a judge for Division 3 of the Washington Court of Appeals. She was the first judge from that court and the first woman from Eastern Washington to serve on the Washington Supreme Court. Before becoming a judge, she practiced law in Spokane and taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law. Stephens’s campaign centers on expanding access to justice by ensuring Washington’s courts are open, efficient, and equitable for all people. She emphasizes defending judicial independence as essential to democracy and protecting courts from political pressure so they can remain impartial. Her platform includes bringing an Eastern Washington perspective to the Supreme Court, highlighting that the court should represent the full geography and diversity of our state. In addition, she prioritizes advancing judicial and civic education and strengthening the legal system through continued education, civic learning, and investment in the next generation of legal professionals. Chief Stephen’s experience on the state Supreme Court, combined with her longstanding focus on access to justice, judicial independence, and civic education, makes her the best choice for state Supreme Court Position 7.

Chief Justice Debra Stephens is running for reelection to the Washington State Supreme Court. A native of Eastern Washington, Chief Justice Stephens has served three terms in the Supreme Court, and has championed access to justice, judicial education, and the rule of law. One of her strongest principles is judicial independence, which is critically necessary in the face of the efforts being made by the wealthy to control courts at all levels. She believes strongly in investing in the next generation of lawyers, legal scholars, and judges, and has taught at Gonzaga and at youth justice events across the state to foster a strong legal community for the future. We need principled, thoughtful justices on the bench, and Chief Justice Debra Stephens has earned AFT Washington’s endorsement for Position 7 on the Washington State Supreme Court by being the kind of leader we believe will work for ordinary Washingtonians and help us build stronger communities and a secure future. You can learn more about Chief Justice Debra Stephens at https://justicestephens.com/.

In this election, 5 of the 9 positions are open. We need to maintain a court that reflects the values of WA residents and upholds the law! The GOP and groups like go WA are investing heavily to make this a MAGA court.

This court WILL DECIDE ON-

• MILLIONAIRES TAX
• CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT
• IMMIGRATIONPROTECTIONS
• REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
• ELECTION ADMINISTRATION DISPUTES

Seattle Indivisible is endorsing candidates in the Supreme Court race because it is so important.