Significant changes are coming to Washington State’s highest court, with three justices set to vacate their positions in 2026—triggering two open-seat elections and giving Governor Ferguson unprecedented influence over the court’s composition.

Justice Raquel Montoya‑Lewis, the first Native American elected statewide in Washington, recently announced she will not seek reelection. She will complete her current six‑year term, which ends on December 31, 2026, leaving one of the seats open in the November general election. She made the announcement public on January 26, emphasizing her desire to continue serving justice through education, writing, and mentoring, and clarifying that though she will step away from the court, she has no plans to retire. ([yahoo.com](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wa-supreme-court-justice-raquel-012231810.html?utm_source=openai))

In addition, Justice Charles W. Johnson—Washington’s longest-serving sitting justice, appointed in 1991—is constitutionally required to retire at the end of the year in which he turns 75. He will do so by December 2026, opening another seat to voters this November. ([yahoo.com](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wa-supreme-court-justice-raquel-012231810.html?utm_source=openai))

Meanwhile, Justice Barbara Madsen has also announced her retirement effective April 3, 2026, after more than three decades of service. Governor Bob Ferguson has already launched the selection process, inviting applications from candidates—some of whom also applied for the seat vacated earlier by Justice Mary Yu—and plans to name a replacement by April 3. That appointee will serve until the November 2026 election, when voters will choose who will complete Madsen’s term. ([pnwdaily.com](https://pnwdaily.com/2026/02/02/washington-supreme-court-vacancies-2026/?utm_source=openai))

Taken together, these departures mean that by the end of 2026, roughly one‑third of the Supreme Court will have turned over. From one justice’s mid‑term appointment already on the bench (Colleen Melody, appointed to fill Mary Yu’s seat), to another to be appointed soon, and two open contests this November, the cascade of transitions presents a unique shift for the court’s future. ([pnwdaily.com](https://pnwdaily.com/2026/02/02/washington-supreme-court-vacancies-2026/?utm_source=openai))

Washington Supreme Court justices serve staggered six‑year terms through nonpartisan elections—but absent incumbency, the balance of power shifts. Historically, appointed incumbents enjoy near‑unbeatable advantages in subsequent elections. Now, with two genuinely open races this fall, voters have a rare opportunity to shape the bench without the influence of appointed incumbency. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_judicial_elections?utm_source=openai))

Why this matters locally: For Cowlitz County and the broader Lower Columbia region, this realignment carries significant stakes. The Supreme Court is poised to adjudicate high‑impact cases in the coming years—including challenges to proposed income taxes on high earners, Initiative 2066 (natural gas access), and broader criminal justice reforms following the Blake decision. The court’s ideological balance and normative orientation could shift decisively as the newly composed bench begins to weigh in on such matters.

What’s next: Governor Ferguson will appoint at least one justice (to replace Madsen), and possibly two depending on the timing—Melody’s is already secured, and another appointee will fill Madsen’s seat. Those appointed will face election this November to complete their respective terms. Meanwhile, Montoya‑Lewis’s and Johnson’s exits set the stage for two fully open contests. The outcomes of these elections and appointments may determine the court’s philosophical trajectory for years.

Whatever your view of the current court’s decisions, the coming year will be decisive. These shifts may redraw the institutional contours of judicial authority in Olympia. Voters, civic groups, and communities like ours in Cowlitz County should watch these developments closely—and prepare to participate in a process that will shape Washington State’s legal landscape for the next generation.

Source links:
Washington State Standard: “WA Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya‑Lewis won’t seek reelection”
PNW Daily: “Ferguson to Reshape Washington Supreme Court Amid Turnover”
Washington State Standard: “Another WA Supreme Court justice to retire”