Ian Birk
Non-Partisan | Washington
Candidate Profile
Proven Activist
BIOGRAPHY
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 (29)
King County Democrats
Washington Education Association WEA PAC
SEIU 775 Service Employees International Union
Children's Campaign Fund
31st District Democrats
OTHER (1)
The Stranger
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (59)
Kim Schrier (2023)
American Association for Justice (2022)
Mary Yu (2022)
Patty Kuderer (2022)
Washington State Association for Justice (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
In a 2026 campaign announcement, Judge Ian Birk describes his approach to law as centered on “equal access to justice, equal treatment regardless of circumstance, and fair outcomes under the law.” He emphasizes that both his work as a lawyer and his service on the Washington Court of Appeals have been guided by protecting individual rights while ensuring courts remain fair and accessible.
In Arlene’s Flowers (2019), Ian Birk, as counsel for the Washington State Association for Justice, filed an amicus brief supporting enforcement of WLAD. He argued that custom floral arrangements are commercial conduct, not protected speech, and that applying WLAD does not compel expression or endorsement—only equal access to services.
Judge Birk authored State v. Corporation of the Catholic Archbishop of Seattle (2026), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether the Attorney General could use the Washington Charitable Trust Act to issue an investigative subpoena to the Archdiocese. The court held that the subpoena was allowed in part because the Attorney General has statutory authority to investigate charitable trusts, including religious entities, but only within constitutional limits. It rejected the lower court’s view that religious corporations were completely exempt from the statute, explaining that the exemption must be read narrowly under the Washington Constitution. The court sent the case back to determine which parts of the subpoena could be enforced, allowing inquiries into possible criminal or tortious conduct but not into protected religious doctrine or internal church governance.
Judge Birk authored In re D.W. (2026), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether a 74-year-old man with bipolar disorder could be held in a 14-day involuntary hospital commitment.
Judge Birk authored In re Detention of M.M. (2026), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether a woman could be held in a 14-day involuntary mental health commitment.
Judge Birk authored State v. Herr (2025), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether a man convicted of murder should get a new trial because the judge refused to let him show pictures of guns found on someone else’s phone. The court held that the trial judge did not make a mistake because the pictures were too uncertain and did not clearly connect to the crime, so they could have confused the jury. The court explained that evidence has to be meaningfully linked to the case to be allowed. The court affirmed the murder conviction but sent the case back to remove a $500 fee that could not be imposed on an indigent defendant under updated Washington law.
Judge Birk authored Flying T Ranch v. Stillaguamish Tribe (2024), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether a lawsuit seeking to quiet title to land could proceed against a tribal government.
Judge Birk concurred in Rock Holdings LLC v. Levitz (2023), where the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether a trial court properly issued a writ of restitution after a nonjudicial foreclosure sale.
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
