Scott Edwards, a tax attorney and partner at Ballard Spahr, is running for Washington State Supreme Court Justice Position 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. The nonpartisan race is for the rest of an unexpired term. Colleen Melody is the other candidate.

Asked why he is running, Edwards said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm running because Washingtonians deserve a Supreme Court justice who will follow the law—not pursue a political agenda … The Court's job is to interpret the law as written, not to legislate from the bench. That's the legislature's role. I want to restore the independence and integrity our highest court demands—and give voters a real choice instead of another governor's appointee."

Candidate information

Education: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "I was the only person from Alaska in my class at Princeton, where I graduated magna cum laude in Economics with the Paul Volcker Award … I earned my law degree with honors from the University of Washington School of Law—and I've been proud to teach there for over two decades."

According to BallotReady, Edwards earned a bachelor's in economics from Princeton in 1988 and a juris doctor from the University of Washington in 1991.

Family: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "My wife Christine and I have been married 36 years. We have three children—all born here in Washington—and a granddaughter who's about to turn two. My sister and brother also live in Washington. We're spread across King, Kitsap, and Clark counties."

Family in government: Asked whether anyone in his family works in government, Edwards said: "Public service runs in my family. My father served as Attorney General for Alaska and later as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska. I grew up watching him put the law and the public interest ahead of politics—and that's the example I intend to follow."

Party affiliation: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "The position is non-partisan, and the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits candidates from publicly identifying with a political party. What I can tell you is this: I believe justices should interpret the law as written, in accordance with the constitution—not advance any political agenda."

Experience and public service

Edwards said in our questionnaire: "For over 30 years, I've represented Washington taxpayers—individuals and businesses—before our state's courts and administrative agencies. I've built a career at leading law firms including Bogle & Gates, Perkins Coie, and Lane Powell (now Ballard Spahr) … I've also taught State and Local Tax in the University of Washington School of Law's LLM program for over 20 years."

On his campaign website, Edwards said he has received recognitions including Chambers USA for tax law in Washington from 2020 to 2025 and The Best Lawyers in America for tax law from 2012 to 2026. He served on the board of the Western Washington chapters of the American Red Cross from 2006 to 2015, according to his campaign website.

Previous elected office: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "This is my first time running for elected office—and that's exactly the point. Washington has developed a troubling practice: justices leave before their terms end, letting the governor appoint their replacement, who then runs as the incumbent, often unopposed."

Recommendation: The Washington State Republican Party voted by a two-thirds supermajority to recommend Edwards for Position 1 in advance of the Aug. 4, 2026 primary, according to the party.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Edwards said in our questionnaire: "The Washington Supreme Court only takes cases that matter—issues of substantial public importance, including constitutional questions that affect every Washingtonian. The job requires interpreting the law as written and applying the constitution faithfully, without letting personal or political views tip the scales."

Edwards also said in the same answer: "I've argued more than a dozen cases before the Washington Supreme Court. I know the Court, I know the work, and I'm ready to serve."

Differences from opponent: Edwards said: "Experience and independence. I've spent over 30 years doing exactly what a Supreme Court justice needs to do: interpreting the law as written, applying the constitution, and setting aside personal or political views to get it right … I'm not running to advance an agenda—I'm running to uphold the rule of law."

Best advice: Edwards said in our questionnaire: "My father told me: 'The law isn't just a profession—it's a public trust. Your job is to get it right.' That advice shaped my entire career … I've always believed that my credibility depends on calling it straight."