Statement from Governor Bob Ferguson on Justice Mary Yu’s upcoming retirement from the Washington Supreme Court

OLYMPIA - Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on Justice Mary Yu's announcement that she will retire from the bench at the end of this year:

"I want to thank Justice Yu for her 25 years of extraordinary service as a judicial officer, including 12 years on the Washington Supreme Court.

"I've known Justice Yu for a long time - since we both began our public-service careers working for King County. It's no surprise to me that she ended up ascending to our state's highest court. My respect for her has only grown over the years.

"Aside from our shared professional history, Justice Yu and I have something unusual in common: We've both been featured on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. In her case, she was invited onto the show because her name - Mary Yu - was perfectly suited to her work. As a judge, she officiated the first same-sex marriages in Washington after our state's voters recognized these unions in 2012. Justice Yu has married many other happy couples in our state.

"Throughout her time on the bench, Justice Yu has demonstrated her commitment to respect, dignity and fairness for all. As the first in her family to go to college - and as the first LGBTQ+ justice, the first Asian-American justice and the first Latina-American justice on the high court - she brought her perspective to bear in seeking to make our court system more accessible, equitable and effective. She understands and appreciates the value of diverse perspectives in our state courts, and she is an excellent mentor and role model for newer attorneys. Her legacy is in bending Washington state further toward justice."

Governor Ferguson will appoint a new justice to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Washington Supreme Court. He expects to make an appointment by Dec. 1 and is immediately beginning a process to select a worthy successor to Justice Yu.