For the November 2017 contested judicial election in the Washington Court of Appeals, KCBA rates Judge Michael Spearman as "Exceptionally Well Qualified" and Attorney Nathan Choi as "Refused to Cooperate." A press release about KCBA's ratings in this race is available here.
Judicial Candidate Forums
KCBA hosted candidate forums in September, in which all judicial candidates in contested elections were invited to participate. The events focused on issues of interest to the legal community, and were open to the public for in person attendance at the KCBA office or online simulcast via our website.
The original event flyer is available here.
2016 KCBA Judicial Candidate Evaluation Ratings
last updated 10/3/16
The King County Bar Association publishes ratings for any candidate who has filed election paperwork with the state Public Disclosure Commission or the King County Elections Department, provided we have issued a rating. KCBA is committed to releasing ratings in every contested judicial election that appears on the King County ballot, as well as for any candidate who requests a rating. Generally incumbent judges running unopposed do not seek ratings. Candidates with “rating pending” have not yet supplied all reference materials to KCBA – though materials were requested from all candidates on June 1. KCBA plans to issue ratings for all candidates, including those who do not provide materials, by September 30. King County ballots are mailed on October 19. Those who do not respond may receive a “not qualified” or “refused to cooperate” rating.
For additional information on KCBA’s work with judicial candidate and officer evaluations, visit www.kcba.org/judicial/ratings/ratings.aspx. To learn more about all judicial candidates, please visit www.votingforjudges.org.
CONTESTED RACES
Supreme Court Position 1
Supreme Court Position 5
Supreme Court Position 6
Superior Court Position 14
Superior Court Position 26
Superior Court Position 31
Superior Court Position 44
Superior Court Position 52
Superior Court Position 53
District Court Position 3
UNCONTESTED RACES
Superior Court Position 7
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Janet Helson (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 8
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| John Ruhl (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 21
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Veronica Alicea-Galvan (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 28
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Johanna Bender (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 29
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Sean O'Donnell (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 33
Superior Court Position 41
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Matthew Williams |
Well Qualified |
N/A |
Superior Court Position 43
Superior Court Position 46
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Judy Ramseyer (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
District Court Position 1
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Lisa Paglisotti (incumbent) |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
N/A |
District Court Position 4
| CANDIDATE |
KCBA RATING |
WEBSITE |
| Gregg Hirakawa (incumbent) |
Qualified |
N/A |