Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
Loading your ballot results. Please wait.
State's Attorney · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
The State’s Attorney is the county’s lead prosecutor, responsible for managing the legal office that handles all criminal cases on behalf of the public. This official decides whether to bring formal charges against individuals, oversees criminal trials, and works with law enforcement to address local crime. Because they determine how laws are enforced and which cases are prioritized, this office significantly shapes public safety and the local justice system.
View all candidates in this raceJohn McCarthy is a Montgomery County State's Attorney seeking re-election for his sixth term in 2026 after serving nearly two decades as the county's top prosecutor since 2006. Born and raised in South Tacoma, he worked as a casual longshoreman before becoming a lawyer and serving on the Port of Tacoma Commission and as a Superior Court Judge for over twenty years. McCarthy emphasizes his energy and vision to lead his office while focusing on public safety issues such as school safety, juvenile justice, and preventing gold bar scams among residents. He also promotes safe teen dating and runs a truancy prevention program that prioritizes education over arrests for students.
Sources: Campaign website
School Safety
Focus on school safety and raising awareness about public safety issues.
“"Top prosecutor to focus on school safety, juvenile justice"”
Juvenile Justice
Vision focused on raising awareness about public safety issues including juvenile justice.
“"MoCo State's Attorney John McCarthy seeks re-election... Top prosecutor to focus on school safety, juvenile justice"”
Crime Prevention
Prevent residents from falling victim to so-called gold bar scams and promote safe teen dating.
“"McCarthy said he has a vision for the county that's focused on raising awareness about public safety issues. He noted his office's efforts to prevent residents from falling victim to so-called gold bar scams and to promote safe teen dating"”
Youth Education
Running a truancy prevention program for students using education, not arrests.
“"We are seizing upon educational opportunities to go out and try to use education, not arrests. Not 'lock them up' kinds of things"”
McCarthy, 73, is running for re-election to his sixth four-year term, touting his long service and public safety vision for the county. He has established a gang prosecution unit and a truancy court since becoming state's attorney in 2006 after serving as deputy state's attorney for ten years prior. External coverage notes he uses educational opportunities to prevent crime rather than arrests, stating "Not 'lock them up' kinds of things."
“"keeping Montgomery County safe"”
Source“"established a gang prosecution unit and a truancy court"”
Source“"use education, not arrests. Not 'lock them up' kinds of things"”
Source“"promote safe teen dating, along with running a truancy prevention program for students"”
Source