I am retiring at the end of the year and you have the chance to elect my replacement on Nov. 4.

Both candidates vying to replace me are pro tems (substitute judges) at our court and both bring something unique to the bench. However, you can only vote for one of them. I have not personally endorsed either of them because I am committed to this being your vote and not mine. Some disagree with me on this stance because the norm has been to use the power of the position of judge/justice to influence the outcome of judicial elections. However, I have been, and will continue to be in retirement, your servant and I will not use my position to sway your conscience.

Judicial elections are largely ignored by the media because understanding judicial elections is difficult and mysterious, even for the media. There has been local focus on the races for mayor and city council in the media, but hardly a mention of the open seat up for grabs in the Federal Way Municipal Court. This is unfortunate because what happens in local courts has profound impacts on the health and safety of our communities, so it is extremely important to make the best decision possible about who serves you in our local court.

Some of the difficulty relates to the fact that judges are not allowed to identify themselves as part of a political party and the issues judicial candidates can discuss are more restricted than candidates for other public office. What makes it especially hard in local judicial races is that the cases heard and the legal issues presented are not seen as newsworthy. Yet, the cases heard have an impact on you and your community day in and day out.

The solution?

We need to make the judicial election process more transparent, understandable, and easier for voters because who serves as the trustees of our third co-equal branch of government is critical. Not much is happening statewide to make this a reality, but I can do my part locally by trying to get people more interested in who will be replacing me on the local bench after I retire.

Each candidate has been allotted space below to give their pitch to you, but we are also scheduling a judicial election forum between the candidates that will be held at Life Point Law, 31919 6th Avenue South, Suite A100, at 7 p.m. Oct. 23, 2025. The debate will be live-streamed on the Life Point Law Facebook page (Facebook.com/LifePointLaw). The forum is being supported by Life Point Law and local service clubs: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Soroptimists, and the American Association of University Women.

I encourage you to visit the candidates’ websites, the voter’s guide, and any other resources that will help you make your decision. These are the traits that I look at myself when voting for judges:

• Education

• Legal experience

• Judicial experience

• Legal knowledge

• Judicial temperament

• Ethics

• Impartiality

• Ability to follow the law over personal beliefs

• Community and civic involvement

• Commitment to the improvement of the justice system

• References/Testimonials

Here are the statements prepared by the candidates for you to consider as you make this important decision.

Danielle Havens

My name is Danielle Havens. While campaigning, I have seen how the community respects Judge Larson for his management of the court and community engagement. I will honor this community in the same way.

As a full-time pro tem judge, I have acquired the skills to serve as a municipal court judge. All Municipal Court judges for whom I serve have endorsed me. They know I have the required knowledge, experience and demeanor.

My understanding of the law, focus on accountability, and commitment to Federal Way, make me an excellent candidate. I would be honored to be your next judge.

Mitch Greene

My name is Mitch Greene. As a pro tem judge with 20-plus years of experience, while still maintaining my law practice, I have a unique view to see how the judiciary can be improved from a litigant’s perspective, and I have strong administrative and leadership skills which will become essential with the Court having a new administrator.

As a pro tem Judge in Federal Way running for Judge Larson’s position, I plan on honoring his dedication to excellence, community court, and working with a new administrator to ensure being good stewards of public trust.

I hope I have earned your vote.

Conclusion

Thank you for your time. The rest is up to you as a steward of your vote and your community.

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Judge Dave Larson of the Federal Way Municipal Court is retiring at the end of 2025.