Following a proactive recruitment process initiated in late 2025 under former Mayor Victoria Woodards, the Tacoma City Council recently appointed Sergio C. Flores to the position of Tacoma Municipal Court Judge for Department No. 2. Judge Flores will serve until the position – left vacant with the retirement of Judge Drew Henke – is filled by the general election in November 2026. His appointment will run through December 31, 2026.
Mayor Anders Ibsen, who sponsored Resolution No. 41829 to appoint Judge Flores, welcomed the decision as a step toward maintaining a robust and responsive judiciary.
“We are committed to ensuring our courts are staffed by individuals who not only possess a strong command of the law, but also a deep connection to the community they serve,” said Mayor Ibsen. “I have known Judge Flores since 2007, and throughout his career he has demonstrated a consistent and outstanding dedication to public service. He brings a unique combination of professional rigor, lived experience, and innovative thinking that will serve the people of Tacoma well. I am proud to welcome him back to Tacoma and to the bench.”
“Judge Flores truly loves our Court and the City of Tacoma, and he is dedicated to making it a better place for all,” said Presiding Judge Steve Krupa, who noted Judge Flores’ established reputation within the court system. “We are thrilled to have Judge Flores as a member of our bench.”
Judge Flores has served as a Judge Pro Tempore in the Tacoma Municipal Court since September 2022. He has also served as a prosecutor for the cities of Tacoma and Auburn, and as an investigator for Tacoma’s Employment Standards Office. As a prosecutor in Auburn, he was instrumental in the creation of the Auburn Community Court, a therapeutic model now replicated in jurisdictions across the Puget Sound region.
In a personal statement submitted to the City Council, Judge Flores reflected on his journey as an immigrant and the values instilled in him by his parents.
“The most important lessons in life I learned from my parents,” said Judge Flores. “From them, I learned the value of having the right tools, applying oneself fully, working hard, practicing patience, and always helping others. These principles—perseverance, determination, and kindness—were instilled in me from a young age.”
Judge Flores moved to the United States from Mexico at age 10 and became the first in his family to graduate from college. He emphasized that his background will inform his approach to justice.
“My journey—from immigrant child to community advocate, prosecutor, and pro tem judge—has taught me to be self-reliant and creative, to meet challenges with persistence and patience, and above all, to lead with compassion,” said Judge Flores. “These qualities, shaped by lived experience and honed through public service, reflect the kind of judge I strive to be.”
More information about Judge Flores is available here.