Justice Colleen Melody is perhaps most notable for building the Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office from the ground up, developing it into a nationally-recognized powerhouse that protects state residents from civil rights violations regardless of race, gender, age, or disability. She is a staunch advocate for the rule of law and all of our rights, and she is the voice that we need on the state Supreme Court as we navigate the foundational threats, challenges, and opportunities of the time we live in. We believe, from her record of advocacy and service, that Justice Melody will continue to protect Washingtonians’ interests, and for that reason she has earned AFT Washington’s endorsement for Position 1 on the State Supreme Court. You can learn more about Justice Colleen Melody at https://melodyforjustice.com/

Currently serving on a Washington Superior Court, Justice Hawk is running for Position 3 on the State Supreme Court. She is the first person who served as an ACLU attorney to become a judge in Washington, and has a very strong history as counsel of record in appellate briefings before the State Supreme Court. Among her notable work as an attorney, she has defended voting rights and people facing ICE deportation. One of her goals is court reform – she serves on a Supreme Court Commission with the goal of making the justice system more accessible to all Washingtonians by eliminating bias and making the courts more accessible to working families. Her range of experience and her professional goals make her the easy choice for Washington State Supreme Court Position 2, and AFT Washington is pleased to endorse her. You can learn more about Judge Jaime Michelle Hawk at https://www.judgehawk.com/

Judge Ian Birk currently serves on Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals, trusted to decide complex cases from every corner of Washington. His legal background, from Supreme Court law clerk and trial lawyer to appellate lawyer and judge on each of Washington State’s three Appeals Courts has given him unique insight into how the law is applied in diverse communities. This, combined with his work defending ordinary Washingtonians against powerful corporate interests, has guided his efforts to ensure that the courts remain open and fair to everyone, regardless of wealth, background, or circumstances. He has earned AFT Washington’s endorsement for Position 4 through his efforts to improve Washingtonians’ lives through judicial means. We believe that the Supreme Court should serve the interests of working people, and Judge Birk’s record indicates he agrees. You can learn more about Judge Ian Birk at https://ianbirk.com/

Justice Theodore Angelis was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court this year, and is running to retain his seat. He brings decades of experience as an appellate advocate, legal scholar, and public interest lawyer, and has been recognized across the legal community for his rigorous legal analysis and commitment to justice. Among his pro bono work, he has represented asylum seekers and children in need, and been recognized for that work by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the ACLU, among others. The son and grandson of immigrants and refugees, he brings a deeply personal understanding of the importance of a legal system that protects opportunity, fairness, and equal treatment under the law. He has earned AFT Washington’s endorsement for his commitment to the rights of ordinary Washingtonians, and we believe that his expertise is essential on Washington State’s Supreme Court in Position 5 as we navigate the complicated legal terrain of the current moment. You can learn more about Justice Theodore Angelis at https://justiceangelis.com/

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/.