According to the Public Disclosure Commission, the total contributions exceed those of prior Supreme Court election years leading up to the August primary. Position 4 advanced to November election automatically, since state Court of Appeals Judge Ian Birk and King County Superior Court Judge Sean O'Donnell are the only two running for the position. What appears to be his strongest challenger, retired Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson, currently leads in spending at about $202,500. Bob Ferguson, joining Justice Colleen Melody, whom he had appointed just a few months earlier as well. The Center Square questioned both appointees and published an in-depth report on the issue, including interviews with each of their opponents.