Experience over politics. ⎢ Judicial independence. ⎢ Checks & Balances.
The problem is Olympia striking down the will of the people while appointing corporate insiders: Why the WA Supreme Court needs checks and balances — and why Judge Dave Larson is the answer.
On March 9, 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Theo Angelis to fill a vancancy for Position 5 on the State Supreme Court.
The most glaring aspect of Angelis's insider track to the bench is his complete lack of prior judicial experience. Unlike many of his predecessors who served as judges in lower courts before ascending to the state's highest judicial body, Angelis spent his entire 26-year career in private practice. His background is primarily that of a corporate litigator and partner at K&L Gates LLP, a massive international law firm. (Ferguson worked at the firm as a junior lawyer for four years before entering politics in 2003.)
Data compiled by OpenSecrets shows that K&L Gates consistently commands tens of millions of dollars annually in federal lobbying compensation. For instance, in 2025 alone, the firm reported pulling in $20,830,000 in federal lobbying compensation across roughly 220 distinct clients.
Here is another Open Secrets link for K&L Gates' connections to political contributions — including both major / dinosaur parties. As far as our state's ruling party goes, Angelis has been a campaign contributor to Gov. Ferguson, Sen. Jamie Pederson, Sen. Manka Dhringra and AG Nick Brown. Angelis has already given $2K to Ferguson for his 2028 run for governor.
An Actual Judge
Dave Larson brings 41 years of total legal experience to the race, split between 23 years as a private civil trial lawyer and 18 years on the bench.
Larson served as a judge for the Federal Way Municipal Court starting in 2008, spending 16 of those years as Presiding Judge managing a high volume of filings.
Larson has advocated for needed structural reforms in how judges are chosen in Washington, proposing a bipartisan Judicial Elections Commission to vet and recommend qualified candidates for gubernatorial appointments. He also supports expanding therapeutic courts (addressing mental health and chemical dependency) and reducing the influence of special-interest money in judicial campaigns.
Municipal courts handle the highest volume of cases in the state, focusing on misdemeanor crimes like DUIs, domestic violence and civil infractions. For the vast majority of people, a municipal courtroom is the only contact they will ever have with the justice system. A trench-level judge like Larson looked local residents, victims and defendants in the eye every day, ensuring that the law is applied with immediate, human-scale fairness.
We need Checks and Balances
In a major blow to consumer choice and energy affordability, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a controversial 6-3 decision striking down I-2066 — a voter-approved ballot measure from November 2024 designed to prohibit state and local governments from restricting the use of natural gas in homes and businesses.
The court used a legal technicality to override the democratic will of over two million Washingtonians who voted to protect our access to affordable energy.
Expect more of this kind of jurisprudence if the Olympia insiders prevail.
Send a message to Olympia
Dave Larson is a longtime judge serving people at the local level.
Theo Angelis is a corporate lawyer who has never served on the bench.
Dave Larson is exceptionally well qualified. Expect an experienced jurist to uphold the law fairly — with independence.
Experience ⎢ Integrity ⎢ Justice Judge Dave Larson is the only candidate that brings 41 years of legal experience, 18 years on the bench and 23 years as a trial lawyer. Dave's innovative leadership brings a demonstrated commitment to fair, effective and independent courts.
Tim Clouser | The Center Square
Nearly two million citizens voted in favor of Initiative 2066 because they believed families and businesses should retain the freedom to choose the energy source that best meets their needs.