Michael R. Addams brings extensive legal, academic, and public service experience to the bench. He is an attorney, Prosecutor for the City of Cheney, Judge and Commissioner Pro Tempore, and a 24-year military veteran. His campaign prioritizes court efficiency, community safety, and expanding therapeutic courts to address the root causes of offenses.

After receiving numerous calls and encouragement from local attorneys and judges urging him to run, Michael recognized the importance of stepping forward. Having dedicated much of his life to serving others, he answered that call with the same sense of duty and commitment that has guided him throughout his career. For Michael, serving the people of Spokane County is simply a continuation of that lifelong commitment.

In Washington State, district courts are county courts of limited jurisdiction. The court handles criminal misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors (such as DUIs and assaults), civil cases involving damages or contracts up to $100,000, small claims, traffic infractions, and domestic violence protection orders. Michael R. Addams describes district and municipal courts as the "courts of public safety" due to the nature of the cases heard that affect the day to day lives of citizens.

Yes, Michael R. Addams brings direct judicial experience to the role. He has served as a Judge Pro Tempore in the Spokane County District Court and a Commissioner Pro Tempore in the Spokane County Superior Court for several years.

Michael R. Addams currently runs his own general legal practice, Addams & Associates, and serves as the Prosecutor for the City of Cheney and Eastern Washington University. He also serves as a Judge Pro Tempore in Spokane County District Court, a Commissioner Pro Tempore in Spokane County Superior Court, and teaches law and ethics at Eastern Washington University. Michael also serves on the board of directors for CASA Partners, a Spokane-based non-profit that supports at-risk and neglected youth.

Therapeutic courts combine treatment, supervision, and strict accountability to address underlying issues like addiction and mental health. Participants must meet rigorous requirements, with consequences for failing to comply, including possible removal from the program and traditional sentencing.

Michael supports therapeutic courts because they can reduce repeat offenses and help people rebuild their lives. However, they are not appropriate for everyone. He believes public safety, personal responsibility, and accountability must always come first.

Yes, he has deep experience in the juvenile court system through his leadership with CASA Partners, a nonprofit that supports at-risk youth. His platform specifically emphasizes utilizing therapeutic courts to properly address mental health issues and ensure individuals are held accountable while receiving the help they need to stop reoffending.

Michael is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the Washington Air National Guard, serving the majority of his career stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. His military career is unique in that he served as both an enlisted airman and an officer. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and served as a First Sergeant before commissioning as a healthcare administrator, retiring in 2026 as a Captain with the 141st Medical Group. His service includes two overseas deployments and multiple commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, two Air Force Achievement Medals, and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Service Medal. Michael served for years on the base Honor Guard at three different installations performing military ceremonial duties, and earned the Washington State Honor Guard Member of the Year award in 2024. Michael credits his decades of military service for instilling the bearing, discipline, and deep commitment to public service that he brings to the courtroom.

Michael has a long record of volunteering, currently serving as Secretary and formerly as President of CASA Partners. He served as Chair of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Pro Bono Public Service Committee, Chair of the WSBA Juvenile Law Section, Young Lawyer Liaison for the WSBA Administrative Law Section, and was awarded the WSBA Public Service and Leadership Award in 2016. In 2015, he was also recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by the Spokane County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Program.

He is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Washington Air National Guard, rising to Master Sergeant and serving as a First Sergeant before commissioning as an officer. In the civilian sector, he has led as the Chair of the WSBA Pro Bono Public Service Committee, Chair of the WSBA Juvenile Law Section, and President of CASA Partners. Michael has also worked for the Washington Division of Child Support in the Washington Management Service tiers of leadership, and as the Director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys - Support Enforcement Program, a statewide training and policy program of approximately 250 prosecutors and staff across Washington's 39 counties.

The legal community has heavily recognized his dedication to service, awarding him both local and state-level public service awards. In the recent Spokane County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Poll, peers rated him highly for his integrity, judicial temperament, and suitability for the bench. Colleagues and students alike describe him as an intelligent, fair leader who provides clear, practical legal solutions.

Rather than going directly into practice, Michael's opponent previously served as a law clerk for a local judge, giving him internal ties within the current judiciary. Michael’s career spans a wider array of sectors—including 24 years of military service, prosecution, defense, public administration, and private practice—meaning his broad coalition of endorsements comes from diverse legal professionals, state leaders, and law enforcement. Throughout this campaign, Michael has listened to residents across the county who are frustrated with how criminal cases are currently being handled. Because he is running to bring a fresh perspective to the bench to address those exact concerns, his priority has been earning the trust of the community rather than seeking endorsement from the current judiciary. Furthermore, some prominent legal figures who support Michael behind the scenes are prohibited from making public endorsements due to the rules of their current official positions.

The position of District Court Judge is a strictly nonpartisan office, meaning candidates do not run as representatives of any political party. Michael is running as a nonpartisan candidate committed to applying the law evenly and fairly. He has actively reached out to various groups across the political spectrum to understand the unique concerns of all Spokane residents.

In nonpartisan judicial races, candidates do not run on a party ticket, but political parties may still independently endorse candidates. However, a party endorsement does not change the nonpartisan nature of the office, and judges are legally and ethically required to apply the law without partisan bias.

He is endorsed by a wide-ranging coalition of state and local leaders, including State Representatives Suzanne Schmidt and Mike Padden, two mayors, various county prosecutors and public defenders, the Cheney Police Chief, the Police Chief of EWU, the Cheney Police Guild, and multiple retired judges and current court commissioners. He has also been endorsed by the Republicans of Spokane County and the Mainstream Republicans of Washington.

In a poll to the membership of the Spokane County Bar Association, Michael received the highest overall numerical score, including the highest in the categories of integrity, judicial temperament, and suitability. This rating was from attorneys who have worked with, against, and in front of Michael in court.

Concerns have been raised regarding an incident involving Michael R. Addams' opponent, Nick Ulrich, who reportedly received an endorsement from Judge Walker inside her courtroom, in the presence of court staff and local attorneys. Michael's opponent subsequently shared a photograph and quote from the event on his campaign's Instagram account.

Washington's Code of Judicial Conduct, particularly Canon 4, establishes ethical standards for sitting judges and judicial candidates, including restrictions on using court facilities and resources for campaign purposes.

Michael believes these standards should be respected throughout the entire election process, not just after taking office. He holds himself to those same expectations and believes that maintaining public trust in the courts begins with how candidates conduct themselves during their campaigns.