Karim's Vision

I am running for the Washington Supreme Court because I believe deeply in the promise of our Constitution and the role courts play in preserving the freedoms of the People.

Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how government decisions affect ordinary Washingtonians. I have represented working families, small business owners, veterans, parents, and individuals facing the full weight of government power. Those experiences have reinforced a simple truth: constitutional rights matter most when they are tested.

The Washington Supreme Court occupies a unique place in our system of government. It is not a legislative body. It is not a political body. Its role is not to decide what policies are best, what outcomes are most popular, or what results judges personally prefer. Its responsibility is to faithfully interpret and apply the Constitution and laws enacted by the People and their elected representatives.

That principle may sound simple, but it is one of the most important safeguards of liberty ever devised.

Our Constitution begins with a powerful declaration: “All political power is inherent in the people.” Every public official in Washington derives authority from that principle. Legislators, governors, judges, and prosecutors exercise only those powers that the Constitution and laws permit. The judiciary serves a critical role in ensuring those limits are respected.

I believe courts must remain independent, impartial, and free from partisan influence. Public confidence in the judiciary depends upon judges who decide cases based upon the law and the facts — not politics, ideology, public pressure, or personal preference.

At the same time, judicial independence should never be confused with judicial supremacy. The people of Washington have reserved significant powers for themselves, including the power to elect judges, enact initiatives, approve constitutional amendments, and hold government accountable through the democratic process. Courts should respect those constitutional choices and exercise humility when reviewing the decisions of the People and their representatives.

My judicial philosophy begins with a commitment to constitutional fidelity. The Constitution is more than a historical document. It is the operating manual for how government is supposed to function. It establishes the powers of government, protects individual liberties, and provides the framework that allows a free society to govern itself.

When courts faithfully enforce constitutional limitations, power remains where it belongs: with the People.

I also believe courts must remain vigilant whenever government seeks to expand its authority beyond constitutional limits. Throughout history, many of our most important constitutional decisions have involved courts protecting individual rights against governmental overreach. The judiciary serves an essential role in preserving liberty, ensuring due process, protecting private property, safeguarding free speech, and defending the constitutional guarantees that belong equally to every Washingtonian.

As technology advances, society changes, and new legal questions emerge, those foundational principles become even more important. Future courts will confront issues involving artificial intelligence, privacy, free expression, government accountability, and rapidly evolving technologies that could not have been imagined by previous generations. While the facts may change, the judiciary's responsibility remains the same: faithfully apply the Constitution and the rule of law.

I am running because I believe Washington deserves a justice who understands both the tremendous power of government and the importance of constitutional limits — a justice who appreciates that courts exist not to govern the people, but to ensure that government remains accountable to them.

The Washington Supreme Court belongs to all Washingtonians. If entrusted with the responsibility to serve, I will approach every case with independence, humility, respect for the rule of law, and an unwavering commitment to the constitutional principles that protect the freedoms of the People.