Abell calls for judicial appointment reform following Supreme Court retirements
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Abell calls for judicial appointment reform following Supreme Court retirements
Following the recent mid-term retirements of multiple Washington Supreme Court justices, Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, is renewing his call for judicial appointment reform.
Justice Barbara Madsen announced her retirement on Feb. 2 while Justice Mary Yu retired late last year. Yu’s replacement was appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in November, 2025 while Madsen’s replacement will be appointed by the governor in the coming months.
“When justices leave before their terms are complete, the governor alone chooses their replacement,” Abell said. “That appointee then runs as an incumbent with major built-in advantages. Over time, this sidelines voters and weakens public trust and confidence in our courts.”
Under current law, judicial vacancies are filled by appointment, and those appointees often retain their seats in low-information, nonpartisan elections.
“The Washington State Constitution intends that judges be chosen by the people,” Abell said. “When appointments become commonplace and the primary pathway to the bench, that principle is quietly undermined.”
Abell has introduced legislation (House Bill 1928 and House Bill 1929) requiring legislative confirmation of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals appointments to increase transparency and bipartisan oversight.
“No single office should control who interprets our laws and Constitution,” Abell said. “Confirmation brings balance, accountability, and public trust back into the process.”
Abell noted that a majority of Supreme Court justices and nearly 80% of Court of Appeals judges first reached the bench through appointment.
“In races where voters have limited information, incumbency almost always wins,” Abell said. “That may benefit insiders, but it is not healthy for democracy.”
Abell is urging residents to contact the governor’s office to encourage him to follow the spirit of judicial reform and appoint someone with broad bipartisan support who pledges to serve only until the next general election.
“Washingtonians deserve open hearings, honest debate, and a system that puts transparency ahead of politics,” Abell said. “I encourage people to speak up and demand accountability in judicial appointments.”
