Debra L. Stephens
Non-Partisan | Washington
Candidate Profile
Proven Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Debra L. Stephens
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
Justice of the Supreme Court, Seat 7
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (7)
King County Democrats
Washington Education Association WEA PAC
48th District Democrats
36th District Democrats
47th District Democrats
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Jeremie Dufault (2008)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mary Yu (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (13)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2020)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2020)
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2020)
Office and Professional Employees International Union (2020)
Karen Fraser (2014)
OTHER INFORMATION
Washington State Bar News, “A Conversation with Washington Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens” (Dec. 12, 2022)
YouTube interview, State Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens on the State of the Court System, April 11, 2025
In an interview with Inside Olympia, Debra Stephens described the courts as an “equalizer” where “everybody is equal before the law,” while acknowledging that the justice system “hasn’t always — and still to this day doesn’t — work perfectly” or impact all communities equally. She nevertheless maintained that “adherence to the rule of law is still the best thing we have,” concluding with Winston Churchill’s observation that democracy is “the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried.”
She “celebrated” how Washington was the first state supreme court to commission a group to examine racial bias and inequity issues, creating a minority and justice commission in the early 1990s, “the first of its kind.”
In A Better Richland v. Chilton (2026), the court considered whether a city charter amendment had to be placed on a special election ballot or the next general election ballot. A political action committee sought a court order requiring a government official to perform a required duty to force a special election.
The Washington Supreme Court dismissed the case as moot but still gave guidance for future elections. It held that “next regular municipal election” in RCW 35.22.120 includes both special and general elections based on the statute’s wording and related election laws, so the auditor could choose either type of election. The denial of the writ was upheld.
Justice Stephens joined the majority. The dissent argued that “regular” meant only fixed, recurring general elections, not special elections.
In State of Washington v. Gator’s Custom Guns, Inc. (2025), the court asked whether Washington’s law banning large-capacity magazines violated the right to bear arms. The Washington Supreme Court affirmed the law and upheld ESSB 5078, which banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of magazines holding more than 10 rounds. The court held that these magazines are not “arms” protected by the Second Amendment or the Washington Constitution. Instead, they are firearm accessories, so the state can regulate them without violating the right to bear arms. The court explained that constitutional protection applies only to weapons that fit the historical meaning of “arms,” and that states can regulate especially dangerous or nonessential parts of firearms. A lower court had struck down the law, but the Supreme Court reversed that decision. Justice Stephens agreed with the majority and joined the opinion.
In Barlow v. State of Washington (2024), the court asked whether a university can be held responsible for harm to a student that happens off campus. Justice Stephens joined the dissent, which argued that the rule was too narrow and that universities should have a broader duty based on their control, knowledge of risk, and ability to help, not just where the event happened. Justice Stephens joined the dissent, which argued that the rule was too narrow and that universities should have a broader duty based on their control, knowledge of risk, and ability to help, not just where the event happened.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: In Dobbs, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal constitution does not confer a right to abortion.)
Did not answer
Does the federal Constitution support the right to physician assisted suicide? Please explain in light of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997).
Did not answer
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Did not answer
How do you view the judiciary’s role in matters of abortion regulation following Dobbs?
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Do you believe religious liberty is at risk in the United States. If so, what is the judiciary's proper role in addressing this issue?
Did not answer
Does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment require government to be strictly secular or does it allow for the nation's religious heritage?
Did not answer
Was Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held tha the state may not show religious hostility when enforcing anti-discrimination laws against a business owner.)
Did not answer
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
What is your understanding of parental rights under the Constitution regarding the upbringing of children, particularly regarding choices about education and sexual identity?
Did not answer
Is gender identity a protected class under the Constitution? Please explain the constitutional basis for your view.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Did not answer
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Describe your judicial philosophy.
Did not answer
Do you believe judges should primarily apply the law according to its original public meaning, or do you believe the law evolves over time to reflect contemporary values?
Did not answer
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Did not answer
Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain. (Holding: The U.S. Supreme Court held Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses create a right for same-sex couples to marry.)
Did not answer
A. How should a judge approach a case where the constitutional or statutory text is clear on its face? B. Conversely, how should a judge proceed when the text is ambiguous or silent on a disputed issue?
Did not answer
What is your view of judicial restraint versus judicial activism? How do you define each?
Did not answer
What is the proper role of a judge?
Did not answer
When applying or interpreting the text of a statute or constitutional provision, is it ever proper for a judge to consider present day public opinion or consequences?
Did not answer
If precedent departs from the Constitution’s text or original meaning, should a judge follow it or correct the error? Please explain.
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
The burden of proof in a criminal case is generally that the state must provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Some say the reason the burden of proof is so high is because we greatly value ensuring that the innocent are not unjustly imprisoned. Please comment on this topic.
Did not answer
When reviewing wrongful conviction claims, what role, if any, should judges play in determining remedies?
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
What is your understanding of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms?
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
Did not answer
