Justice of the Supreme Court, Position 7
Source: sos.wa.gov
What does this office do?
- Deciding what state laws and the state constitution mean
- Setting rulings that lower state courts must follow
- Deciding major criminal and civil cases
Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Gun Control,
Candidates:
David R Shelvey
Did not advanceNonpartisan · lost
David R Shelvey is a Sumner attorney and sole practitioner at Rockcraft, PLLC, running for Washington Supreme Court Justice Position 7 in the 2026 primary. His practice has included family law, probate, estate planning, taxation, administrative matters, and civil litigation.
Records: Legal Competence 2 for
Debra L. Stephens
AdvancedNonpartisan · Incumbent · advanced
Debra Stephens has served on the Washington State Supreme Court since 2008 and is Chief Justice. She is a former appellate attorney, law professor and school board director.
Records: Legal Competence 13 for, Civil Rights 2 for
Karim A. Merchant
Did not advanceNonpartisan · lost
Karim A. Merchant is a Washington criminal-defense attorney and owner of K. Merchant Law, PLLC, running for Washington Supreme Court Justice Position 7 in the 2026 primary. He says he has represented clients for more than 18 years and spent the first 15 years of his career as a King County public defender before entering private practice in 2023.
Records: Legal Competence 1 for
Todd A. Bloom
AdvancedNonpartisan · advanced
Todd Bloom has over two decades of experience providing professional services to private and publicly-held companies, executives and high net worth families. His prior experience includes over a decade as a tax attorney and senior manager in Big Four accounting.
Records: Legal Competence 2 for, Impartiality 1 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for
Sources: voter.votewa.gov · sanjuancountywa.gov