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April 22, 2026

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Commissioner Andrew Howell to the position of Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court Judge. Howell's appointment, effective June 1, fills the position Judge Diana Ruff's resignation will vacate.
Howell is a career public servant who has served in his current role as a Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court Commissioner in Pasco since 2022, where he presides over a wide range of civil and juvenile criminal dockets. He serves on several judicial committees, including Law Day and family, juvenile and criminal law.
Prior to becoming a court commissioner, Howell spent over a decade at the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, including six years as its Juvenile Division's Chief Deputy. He also spent five years prosecuting a wide range of felonies, specializing in complex cases, among other roles within the office.
Howell earned his bachelor's degree from Creighton University and his law degree from the University of Montana School of Law.