Kristin Shotwell is seeking reelection as King County West District Court Judge, Position 5, in the November 3, 2026, general election. King County Elections lists her as the sole candidate in the nonpartisan race.

In her current voter-pamphlet statement, Shotwell says she joined District Court by appointment in 2021 and was elected in 2022. She describes 23 years of earlier experience in criminal justice and social services.

Shotwell lists work as a public defender, trial attorney and attorney supervisor handling civil commitments and felony cases. She says reducing repeat offending has been a focus of her career, both to improve public safety and to help people involved in the justice system.

Her statement lists a law degree from the University of Hawai‘i, a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University. She also describes service as a state-certified Spanish-language interpreter for more than 25 years.

These qualifications and descriptions of her professional record are attributed to her current candidate statement.

Source: King County Elections, 2026 general-election candidate list and Kristin Shotwell statement (https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/Vote/contests/candidates.aspx?candidateid=1652258&cid=186702&lang=en-US&pamphletson=true).

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