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OLYMPIA — 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 Monday, Feb. 2, while Justice Mary Yu retired late 2025. Yu’s replacement was appointed in November 2025 by Gov. Bob Ferguson, who will appoint Madsen’s replacement in the coming months.
Under current law, judicial vacancies are filled by appointment, and those appointees often retain their seats in low-information, nonpartisan elections. Most Supreme Court justices and nearly 80% of Court of Appeals judges first reached the bench through appointment.
“Over time, this sidelines voters and weakens public trust and confidence in our courts,” Abell said in a state House Republicans news release.
The state Constitution intends for judges to be chosen by the people instead, Abell said. He has introduced legislation in the form of House Bills 1928 and 1929 requiring legislative confirmation of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals appointments to increase transparency and bipartisan oversight.
Abell urges residents to contact the governor’s office and encourage him to appoint someone with bipartisan support who pledges to serve until the next general election.
“No single office should control who interprets our laws and Constitution,” Abell said. “Confirmation brings balance, accountability, and public trust back into the process.”
