From Seattletimes · · 1m 10s
State Supreme Court candidate hits new lows
Seattle's state Supreme Court candidate faces ethics violations and campaign missteps.
In brief
Seattle's state Supreme Court candidate faces ethics violations and campaign missteps. Seattle Times editorial urges voters to elect Sean O'Donnell over Ian Birk for state Supreme Court Position 4 due to Birk's ties to plaintiff law firms and false political claims. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Campaign finances
Ian Birk's campaign coffers are flooded with contributions from lawyers and law firms that have made fortunes suing the state.
State payouts
Washington paid out $614 million in claims and settlements last year with plaintiff law firms taking about 33% of payouts.
Birk's contributions
Roughly 80% of Birk's total contributions come from personal injury firms, their attorneys and families.
O'Donnell's contributions
Less than 1% of O'Donnell's contributions come from personal injury firms, their attorneys and families.
Political smears
Birk falsely claims O'Donnell is a closet Republican and part of a MAGA effort to take over the Supreme Court.
Campaign rules
Washington State Court Rules forbid judges from engaging in political activity inconsistent with judicial independence.
Campaign impact
O'Donnell warned Birk's tactics risk turning judicial elections into a race of who's the prevailing party.
The short version
Seattle Times editorial urges voters to elect Sean O'Donnell over Ian Birk for state Supreme Court Position 4 due to Birk's ties to plaintiff law firms and false political claims.
