Late last year, the King County Council voted unanimously to appoint me to a judicial position in the East Division of the King County District Court. I am now running for election to retain my judicial position.

Having the opportunity to serve as a judge in this Court is the culmination of my decades-long legal career. This is my career calling — a position where I can use my skills and experience to their highest and best purpose in service to our community.

For more than 34 years, I represented people in the courts of King County. In my work as a Public Defender, I represented people of limited means, from marginalized communities, facing childhood trauma, poverty, addiction, untreated mental health issues, and racism. I am now able to bring my experience and understanding of these challenges to my work as a judge.

As both a lawyer and a judge, I have felt the fear of a petitioner seeking a protection order, the enthusiasm of a Small Claims litigant seeking justice without the benefit of an attorney to speak for them, the raw emotion of someone seeking a name change to express their identity, the trepidation of a driver hoping for a fair shake in their traffic infraction hearing, and a defendant fearing that an accusation may define the rest of their life. This is the essence of the work we do every day in the District Court.

Everyone who comes to our courts deserves to have a judge who demonstrates a respectful demeanor and a true understanding of their circumstances while clearly expecting accountability to the larger community. I work hard every day to be such a judge.

I am grateful to now be running unopposed for election this year and appreciate the support of the many people who have helped me build a strong campaign.  I will be on the ballot again in 2026 and will work hard to earn the support of the voters over the next two years.

Judge Peter Peaquin