Conservative Forces Organizing to Take Over Our Top Court
A coordinated network of far-right donors, dark-money groups, and conservative operatives is trying to seize control of Washington state’s Supreme Court. We’ve seen this nationally where the Koch brothers, Trump, Mitch McConnell, and their conservative allies have successfully turned the US Supreme Court. Now, similar forces are at work here in Washington state, and they are following the same playbook.
With five of our nine state Supreme Court seats on the ballot this year, the danger presented by this right-wing effort to pack our court has never been greater–and the conservative special interests tied to right-wing groups called “Project 42” and “Full Court Press” have made their intentions very clear.
Their goal is simple:
Capture the courts
Upend the progress our state has made to balance our tax code, stand up for workers, and protect our environment.
Lock in power for decades
Make no mistake–this is an attempt by MAGA Republicans and their deep-pocketed funders to short-circuit Democratic policies by taking over our state’s Supreme Court. They have been recruiting and training candidates, and building donor networks; now they are gearing up to pour money into these races to elect their chosen few.
The Candidates
Position 1 Scott Edwards
A corporate attorney closely aligned with Rob McKenna, the far-right Freedom Foundation, and pro-business lobbying groups. Edwards has repeatedly challenged progressive tax policies on behalf of wealthy interests and participated in Full Court Press political events and candidate training efforts.
We recommend Colleen Melody. Learn more about Justice Melody here.
Position 3 David Stevens
Stevens has twice run for office as a Republican and was the vice chair of the Spokane GOP. He has supported an anti-abortion organization and worked to elect candidates who oppose the right to choose, oppose marriage equality, and don’t believe in manmade climate change. He has been trained by Full Court Press.
There are two good candidates, Michael Diaz and Jaime Hawk.
Position 5 Dave Larson
A perennial conservative judicial candidate, Larson has received support from MAGA Republicans, right-wing extremists, and Full Court Press allies. Larson has expressed opposition to Constitutional protections for same-sex marriages.
There are two good candidates, Justice Theo Angelis and Sharonda Amamilo.
Position 7 David Shelvey
A repeat candidate who can’t take the hint after his previous campaigns for the Supreme Court and Sumner mayor ended in decisive defeats, David Shelvey has expressed anti-abortion views and refused to articulate personal positions on LGBTQ+ issues beyond saying he would follow existing law. He has also said that he would consult a “Supreme Being” for wisdom and guidance when making decisions about the rights of Washingtonians.
We recommend Debra Stephens. Learn more about Chief Justice Stephens here.
Who’s Behind This?
Washington’s judiciary is now a political battleground, and voters deserve to know who’s behind the effort to change it.
Led by former Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and backed by a web of conservative political organizations, Full Court Press is openly working to push Washington’s highest court to the right.
Add in Let's Go Washington and Brian Heywood, the mega-millionaire hedge fund mogul behind numerous failed right-wing ballot measures and one of Trump's largest donors in Washington state. In light of his recent failure to convince voters to protect the ultra-wealthy like himself by upending the capital gains tax, Heywood now says that he is also prioritizing these Supreme Court races.
What's at Stake?
This isn’t just another election cycle.
It’s part of a broader national strategy started by the Koch brothers over a decade ago to reshape state courts through low-visibility judicial races, coordinated political spending, and ideological recruitment.
Why the courts? Because Washington’s judiciary plays a critical role in protecting:
Reproductive freedom
Voting rights
Workers’ protections
Environmental safeguards
Civil liberties
The rule of law
LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality
Gun safety laws
