Gabe Rothstein is running for Seattle Municipal Court Judge, Position 5, in the November 3, 2026, general election. King County Elections lists Garmon Newsom as the other candidate in the nonpartisan race.

In his submitted Surround Sound Media questionnaire, Rothstein says he has worked full time in public defense since 2005. He describes experience with misdemeanor and felony cases, juvenile court, drug treatment court, attorney supervision and civil matters.

Rothstein reports earning a sociology bachelor’s degree from Emory University in 1997. He says he began law school at Rutgers–Newark before transferring to UCLA, where he earned his law degree in 2003.

Rothstein says he also serves as a judge pro tempore. He identifies trial experience and direct work with people navigating the courts as reasons he is seeking a permanent judicial seat.

He says his public service includes chairing the Washington State Bar Association’s Character and Fitness Board, volunteering with the Youth Access to Counsel Line and serving on the board of the Holman Recovery Center. He also describes volunteer work with the Housing Justice Project and Unemployment Law Project.

Rothstein emphasizes treatment and recovery alongside accountability. Asked about advice that has influenced him, he wrote: “Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive.” He attributes that advice to a conversation with former Seattle Municipal Court Judge Anne Levinson.

These professional details and descriptions of his approach come from Rothstein’s submitted questionnaire.

Sources: King County Elections, 2026 general-election candidate list (https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/candidates.aspx?eid=55); Gabe Rothstein’s submitted Surround Sound Media questionnaire.

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.