By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
Washington voters are getting a rare chance next month to choose five state Supreme Court justices. Those races serve as statewide proxy battles between conservatives and liberals, with four challengers endorsed by the state Republican Party against candidates favored by Democratic leaders. The campaigns are usually low-information affairs that allow incumbents to sail to reelection. But more attention is on the court now with a looming income tax set to be litigated before the high court.
Also in today’s edition…
• A look at Gov. Bob Ferguson’s clemency decisions.
• A ballot measure in Idaho on the drug legalization process.
• And, tracking wildlife killed on Oregon roads.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
Ian Birk, a 2026 candidate for Washington state Supreme Court, speaks at a forum in Lacey last week. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
In recent forums in Lacey and with the King County Bar Association, candidates for five state Supreme Court seats discussed the most pressing challenges facing the judicial system, the role of artificial intelligence in the justice system and the public perception of the court, among other topics.
Combined, justice candidates have raised well over $2 million for their campaigns, far more than in past election cycles when races drew far less competition.
Joelene Keen, 36, poses for a portrait at her home in Odessa, Washington on Aug. 7, 2026. She recently moved with her kids from Montana to be closer to her husband, Tomas, who is incarcerated in a state prison outside Spokane, Washington and is nearing the end of his sentence. (Photo by Moe K. Clark/InvestigateWest)
By Moe K. Clark, InvestigateWest
Since Gov. Bob Ferguson took office in January 2025, the governor-appointed clemency and pardons board has recommended early release for 15 of the 23 people who received commutation hearings, as of late last month. The governor hasn’t approved a single one.
By Clark Corbin
Currently, there are two ways in Idaho that marijuana, medical cannabis or other drugs can be legalized and regulated. First, the Idaho Legislature could pass a law to legalize it. Second, Idaho voters could legalize it by passing a ballot initiative.
House Joint Resolution 4 is a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that would give the Idaho Legislature the sole authority and power to legalize marijuana (including medical marijuana), narcotics and other psychoactive substances.
By Mia Maldonado
Oregon has built at least six wildlife crossings, mostly tunnels under roads in the central part of the state. One wildlife crossing is in design for construction and another is awaiting funding for construction. Environment Oregon, a conservation nonprofit with affiliates across 29 other states, is recruiting volunteers for its 2026 Roadside Wildlife Count Oct. 17 to 25 to help track any wildlife dead or alive on Oregon’s roads.
ICYMI
Sickout devastates WA ferry system | by Jake Goldstein-Street and Jerry Cornfield
US Supreme Court orders another look at how WA political maps are drawn | by Jerry Cornfield
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