Judicial Questionnaire – 2026 Revision
Candidate Info
Candidate Name: Mike Sommerfeld
Position Sought: Pierce County District Court Position 7
Are you an incumbent for this position? Non-incumbent
Home Legislative District: 27th
Campaign Info
Campaign Manager or Point of Contact: Christa Sommerfeld
List social media sites: sommerfeld4judge.com / Facebook: Sommerfeld For Judge
Part I – Candidate Background
1. Please describe your qualifications, education, employment, past community and civic activity, as well as any other relevant experience.
I have served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office since 1995. My legal career has been evenly divided between criminal and civil law practice. During my years as a criminal prosecutor, I handled cases ranging from DUI and domestic violence prosecutions to serious violent felony cases including murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, assault, child abuse and adult sexual assault cases.
I later served in the Prosecutor’s Office appellate division, arguing multiple cases before the Washington State Supreme Court, including a landmark DUI case involving the admissibility of controlled-substance DUI evidence that helped establish evidentiary procedures still used in Washington courts today.
Since transitioning to civil practice in 2010, I have served as legal advisor to Pierce County District Court Judges and court administrative staff, Pierce County Juvenile Court, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (2012-2016), advising on constitutional and procedural issues affecting the administration of justice. I also served as a Thurston County District Court Pro Tem Judge presiding over both criminal and civil matters.
I earned my Juris Doctor from Willamette University College of Law.
Outside the courtroom, I have served as a board member for Jumpstart Community Services, formerly Faith Homes, which supports youth aging out of foster care through housing assistance, employment support, and life-skills programs. I have also volunteered with the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Veterans Legal Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, and the Read to Me Tacoma Schools Program.
2. What prompted you to run for this office?
I decided to run because I believe our community deserves judges who possess significant legal experience, fairness, integrity, and a deep understanding of how court decisions affect the lives of people who appear in court as well as the community. After more than 30 years of serving Pierce County in criminal law and civil cases, appellate work, and presiding as a pro tem judge, I believe I can serve the public in a way that promotes fairness, accountability, and public trust in the justice system.
My experience has also shown me that courts can play an important role not only in protecting constitutional rights and public safety, but also in improving long-term outcomes for individuals and communities. I want to help ensure the court system remains accessible to everyone, respectful, and responsive to the people it serves.
3. What do you believe are the most important qualifications for a judge or justice?
I believe the most important qualifications for a judge are integrity, fairness, impartiality, sound judgment, patience, thoroughness in preparation, and respect for every person who comes before the court. Legal experience and knowledge are important, but judges must also be thoughtful listeners who understand the real-world impact their decisions have on individuals, families, and communities.
A good judge must be committed to providing equal justice under the law, and maintaining public confidence in the fairness and independence of the judicial system.
4. What priorities are you seeking to address with your campaign?
My campaign is focused on promoting public trust in the courts, improving access to justice, and ensuring the judicial system treats every person with dignity and fairness. I also believe courts should continue expanding approaches that focus on rehabilitation, treatment, and long-term stability where appropriate, particularly in cases involving substance abuse and mental health challenges. I intend to increase court access by removing language barriers in court systems that still persist, and by addressing disability access issues currently under review by the Washington State Supreme Court.
I want voters to understand the importance of judicial independence, and having judges with the experience and temperament necessary to fairly apply the law.
5. What is the code of conduct for your campaign?
My campaign is guided by integrity, honesty, professionalism, and respect for the judicial process. As a judicial candidate, I am bound by the Washington Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires candidates for judicial office to maintain impartiality, avoid political bias or prejudgment, and conduct campaigns in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
Part II – Access to Justice
1. If elected, how will you work to improve access to justice, particularly for communities and constituencies that do not understand the American legal system?
I believe courts should be accessible, understandable, and respectful to everyone regardless of background, income, language, or prior experience with the legal system. Judges can help improve access to justice by ensuring courtroom procedures are explained clearly, supporting language access services and interpreters, and creating courtroom environments where people feel heard and respected. The court must also improve its public facing websites to provide information in languages appropriate to the community concerning court procedures and other court access issues so that individuals are better informed and prepared prior to court hearings.
I also believe therapeutic and alternative courts can improve outcomes by helping individuals address underlying issues such as mental health challenges and substance abuse while still promoting accountability.
2. Is Washington relying too much on court fees to cover the cost of operating our judicial system? How do you believe our courts should be funded?
I believe excessive reliance on court fees can create barriers to justice, particularly for low-income individuals and families. Courts are a core public institution, and access to justice should not depend on someone’s financial circumstances.
I believe courts should be adequately funded through stable public funding sources that allow the judicial system to operate efficiently and fairly without placing unnecessary financial burdens on those involved in the system. The court does have some procedures for waiving filing fees and other costs, but more can be done to alleviate financial burdens on access to justice.
3. Would you, if elected, bring restorative justice as a goal to your court room? If yes, describe how that could look.
Yes. I believe restorative and therapeutic approaches can play an important role in improving individual outcomes and reducing repeated involvement in the justice system when used appropriately. Accountability remains an important component of a balance process, but courts must also recognize and facilitate opportunities for rehabilitation, treatment, addressing unaddressed root causes, and repairing harm where possible.
That must include supporting treatment courts, encouraging access to behavioral health and substance abuse services, and creating opportunities for individuals to take responsibility while working toward long-term stability. The district court has considerable room for improvement in these areas and I intend to advance these programs in a responsible manner.
4. What ideas can you offer to make our judicial system more open, transparent, and responsive?
I believe courts should communicate clearly, explain decisions thoroughly, and ensure people understand court processes and expectations. Courtrooms should be respectful and accessible environments where individuals feel their voices are heard even when the outcome is difficult.
I also support continued efforts to improve language access, online access to court information, and public understanding of how the judicial system works.
5. What are your thoughts on how our courts could permanently incorporate virtual options for court hearings?
Virtual hearings can improve access to justice for many people, particularly individuals with transportation, childcare, work schedule, or mobility challenges. Even jury selection can be improved in some instances through virtual appearances to increase participation by individuals who might otherwise opt out. I believe courts should continue using virtual options where appropriate while also recognizing that some proceedings are better handled in person depending on the circumstances and constitutional considerations involved.
The goal should be achieve flexibility, accessibility, and fairness while ensuring due process and meaningful participation for all parties.
6. Justice delayed is justice denied, what are your thoughts on how to catch up on the current backlog of cases awaiting trail? Additionally what changes to the current court system would you implement to ensure speedy justice?
Reducing delays requires sufficient court staffing, efficient scheduling practices, and continued use of technology where appropriate. Courts should also continue exploring alternatives that help resolve cases effectively while preserving due process and fairness. Courts should also communicate with local officials when necessary to address any need for increase funding for court appointed counsel so that caseloads are appropriately staffed to ensure proceedings move along expeditiously.
At the same time, efficiency cannot come at the expense of constitutional rights or thoughtful decision-making. Judges must balance the need for timely resolution with the responsibility to ensure every case receives careful consideration, and most importantly that the attorneys representing charged individuals are prepared for trial as due process requires.
7. What judicial reforms do you support to achieve greater equity and inclusion for BIPOC individuals in our communities?
I support reforms that improve fairness, transparency, and equal access to justice for all communities. That includes improving language access services, reducing barriers that disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, supporting therapeutic court programs, and ensuring courtroom practices are respectful and free from bias.
I also believe judges have a responsibility to be aware of how historical inequities and systemic barriers can affect people’s experiences within the legal system and to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, fairness, and equal protection under the law. This is also means courts must ensure that BIPOC individuals are well represented in jury selection, which is their right, and to ensure that individuals receive a trial by a jury of their peers.
By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.
Printed Name: Mike Sommerfeld
Date: 06/07/2026
