Karim A. Merchant
Non-Partisan | Washington
Candidate Profile
Leans Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Karim A. Merchant
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
Justice of the Supreme Court, Seat 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
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AFFILIATIONS
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POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
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POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
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OTHER INFORMATION
In a Facebook post Merchant reacted to the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Garfield County Transportation Authority v. State (2020), which struck down Initiative 976 (the $30 car tabs measure) under Article II, section 19’s single-subject rule. He argued in dissent-like terms that the court failed to properly treat voter initiatives as the direct sovereign act of the people, applied too low a level of constitutional scrutiny, and never adequately addressed whether initiatives even qualify as “bills” under the constitutional text.
In a Facebook post, Merchant stated that “when Washington adopted our Constitution in 1889, our founders were careful to ensure that the right to bear arms is crystal clear” and that “When compared to the plain language of the 2nd Amendment, there's no doubt that the Washington Constitution grants greater firearm rights than that of the U.S. Constitution, however, the WA Supreme Court has yet to determine the scope of that additional protection.”
In Facebook posts from 2024 he stated that he regretted “voting without knowing whether the WA Supreme Court candidates believe that the WA Constitution guarantees reproductive rights,” adding that “while I like the chances of reproductive rights being protected, the voters should not have to speculate on a candidate's judicial philosophy on this issue.” In another Facebook post from February 2026, he stated in a video, “How about Roe V. ?Wade as a constitutional right in Washington? Yeah, I said it, and I can back it up.”
In the video he proposed that “?Instead of reaching all the way to the left, or all the way to the right, let's just start in the middle. All we have to do is take 30% from the left and 30% from the right. That gives us a 60% filibuster proof super majority. ?Forget about labels and identity politics instead. Cons consider the solution regardless of the source.”
In a Facebook video interview, Merchant criticized lifetime tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court and argued in favor of term limits, pointing to long-serving justices including Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts as examples of justices who remain on the Court across multiple presidential administrations. He stated that “we’re stuck with all of them for life,” emphasizing his view that lifetime appointments prevent meaningful turnover on the Court.
Merchant praised Justice Gonzalez’s dissent in Colvin v. Inslee, relating to COVID-19, calling Ganzalez “my hero” and stating “With Covid numbers at record highs and the outbreak now rapidly spreading in our County's Jail, the Government's CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to its People -- especially during emergent times -- cannot be over-emphasized, and is best articulated in a dissenting opinion filed by Justice Steven Gonzalez this past summer[.]”
"In Colvin v. Inslee, five inmates at different state prisons filed a petition compelling Governor Inslee to release three categories of offenders due to the danger Covid-19 posed to inmates. In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Stephens held that based on the Separation of Powers, the Supreme Court lacked the authority to order the Governor to release inmates."
Merchant regards Tom Chambers, a former justice of the Washington Supreme Court, as his role model, stating, “When I became a lawyer, every time I saw his name on a Supreme Court opinion, it made an impression on me. I found myself siding with him on so many decisions because, as the legend goes, he was an incredibly sensible guy.”
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.)
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Does the federal Constitution support the right to physician assisted suicide? Please explain in light of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997).
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Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
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How do you view the judiciary’s role in matters of abortion regulation following Dobbs?
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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?
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Does the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment require government to be strictly secular or does it allow for the nation's religious heritage?
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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.)
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VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What is your understanding of parental rights under the Constitution regarding the upbringing of children, particularly regarding choices about education and sexual identity?
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Is gender identity a protected class under the Constitution? Please explain the constitutional basis for your view.
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ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
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Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
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I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Describe your judicial philosophy.
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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?
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Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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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.)
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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?
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What is your view of judicial restraint versus judicial activism? How do you define each?
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What is the proper role of a judge?
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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?
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If precedent departs from the Constitution’s text or original meaning, should a judge follow it or correct the error? Please explain.
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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.
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When reviewing wrongful conviction claims, what role, if any, should judges play in determining remedies?
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2ND AMENDMENT
What is your understanding of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms?
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
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