Scott Edwards, a tax attorney and partner at Ballard Spahr, seeks Washington State Supreme Court Position 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. The nonpartisan race is for the rest of an unexpired term. Colleen Melody is the other candidate.

Asked why he is running, Edwards said in our candidate questionnaire: "Washingtonians deserve a Supreme Court justice who will follow the law—not pursue a political agenda. For 30 years, I've watched our Court increasingly substitute policy preferences for principled legal analysis. … I want to restore the independence and integrity our highest court demands—and give voters a real choice instead of another governor's appointee."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "The position is non-partisan, and the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits candidates from publicly identifying with a political party. … I believe justices should interpret the law as written, in accordance with the constitution—not advance any political agenda."

Education: Edwards holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Princeton University (1988) and a juris doctor from the University of Washington (1991). He said in our questionnaire: "I was the only person from Alaska in my class at Princeton, where I graduated magna cum laude in Economics with the Paul Volcker Award. … I earned my law degree with honors from the University of Washington School of Law—and I've been proud to teach there for over two decades."

Family: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "My wife Christine and I have been married 36 years. We have three children—all born here in Washington—and a granddaughter who's about to turn two. My sister and brother also live in Washington. We're spread across King, Kitsap, and Clark counties."

Family in government: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "My father served as Attorney General for Alaska and later as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska. I grew up watching him put the law and the public interest ahead of politics—and that's the example I intend to follow."

Experience and public service

Edwards said in our questionnaire: "For over 30 years, I've represented Washington taxpayers—individuals and businesses—before our state's courts and administrative agencies. I've built a career at leading law firms including Bogle & Gates, Perkins Coie, and Lane Powell (now Ballard Spahr), during which I've served on the firm's board of directors and advancement committee."

He added: "I've also taught State and Local Tax in the University of Washington School of Law's LLM program for over 20 years—training the next generation of lawyers in the same rigorous legal analysis our Supreme Court should demand."

Edwards said in our questionnaire that this is his first time running for elected office. He said: "Washington has developed a troubling practice: justices leave before their terms end, letting the governor appoint their replacement, who then runs as the incumbent, often unopposed. … Six of the nine current justices were appointed—not elected."

According to his campaign website, Edwards served as a board member for the Western Washington chapters of the American Red Cross from 2006 to 2015.

Recommendation: The Washington State Republican Party said it voted by a two-thirds supermajority to recommend Edwards for Position 1 in advance of the Aug. 4, 2026 primary.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Edwards said in our questionnaire: "The Washington Supreme Court only takes cases that matter—issues of substantial public importance, including constitutional questions that affect every Washingtonian. … I've argued more than a dozen cases before the Washington Supreme Court. I know the Court, I know the work, and I'm ready to serve."

Differences from opponent: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "Experience and independence. I've spent over 30 years doing exactly what a Supreme Court justice needs to do: interpreting the law as written, applying the constitution, and setting aside personal or political views to get it right. … I'm not running to advance an agenda—I'm running to uphold the rule of law."

Best advice: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "My father told me: 'The law isn't just a profession—it's a public trust. Your job is to get it right.' … As a tax lawyer, I've had to tell clients things they didn't want to hear—that the law doesn't support their position, even when they'd prefer a different answer. … That's what I'll bring to the Supreme Court: the independence to follow the law wherever it leads, regardless of politics or pressure."