Governor Appoints New Thurston County Judge

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Kelly Wood to the Thurston County Superior Court“Judge-appointee Kelly Wood was appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson to the Thurston County Superior Court in July 2026.”
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  The appointment was on July 1, 2026“Governor Appointee Kelly Wood to Replace Retiring Judge Carol Murphy for Thurston County Superior Court Judge-appointee Kelly Wood was appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson to the Thurston County Superior Court in July 2026.”
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  Kelly Wood was appointed to replace retiring Judge Carol Murphy“Judge-appointee Kelly Wood was appointed by Governor Bob Ferguson to the Thurston County Superior Court in July 2026. Judge-appointee Wood will replace Judge Carol Murphy, the most senior judge on Thurston County Superior Court, having been first elected in 2008.”
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  Judge Murphy retired on July 1, 2026“Judge Murphy’s retirement date is July 1, 2026.”
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  Judge Murphy served as the court's most senior judge since 2008“Judge Carol Murphy, the most senior judge on Thurston County Superior Court, having been first elected in 2008.”
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  Judge Murphy was Presiding Judge from 2014 to 2017“Judge Murphy served as Presiding Judge of the Court from 2014 to 2017, and served previous rotations as Trial Judge, DUI/Drug Court Judge, and Criminal Presiding Judge.”
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  Judge Wood will begin mid-July“It is anticipated that Judge-appointee Wood will begin with the Court in mid-July and will take over Judge Murphy’s civil caseload.”
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  Judge Wood will take over Murphy's civil caseload“It is anticipated that Judge-appointee Wood will begin with the Court in mid-July and will take over Judge Murphy’s civil caseload.”
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  Wood worked for nearly 20 years as a Senior Counsel and managing Assistant Attorney General for Washington State“Prior to his appointment, Judge-appointee Wood served the people of the State of Washington for nearly two decades as a Senior Counsel and managing Assistant Attorney General.”
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  Wood handled complex litigation including climate change, clean water, and consumer protection cases“This also involved managing a team of attorneys representing the state in the areas of climate change, air quality, nuclear waste, and energy facility siting. Judge-appointee Wood is also recognized nationwide for his leadership in Clean Water Act litigation and policy and helped pioneer Washington’s use of consumer protections to keep harmful metals out of children’s products.”
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  Wood graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2007“Judge-appointee Wood graduated Summa Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2007 and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with honors, from the University of North Texas.”
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  Wood has lived in Olympia since 2008“Judge-appointee Wood has resided in Olympia since relocating from Seattle in 2008,”