L.A. County Superior Court Judges Recommendations: 2026 Primary Election

Colorado Boulevard Newspaper‘s recommendations for candidates seeking election in contested Superior Court offices in Los Angeles County, June 2, 2026.

By The Editorial Board

In several races, the editorial board found distinctions in experience and courtroom readiness significant enough to recommend one candidate over others. See check marks for our recommendations.

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 2

• Hon. Robert Draper: Not qualified
  Judge of the Superior Court

• Tal K. Valbuena: Qualified
  Deputy District Attorney

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 14

• Angie Christides: Qualified
  Deputy District Attorney
• Irene Lee: Well qualified
  Deputy District Attorney

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 64

• Francisco Amador: Not qualified
  Attorney at Law
• Rhonda Haymon: Qualified
  Deputy District Defender
• Maria Ghobadi: Well qualified
  Deputy District Attorney

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 65

• Chellei G. Jimenez: Qualified
  Attorney
• Samuel W. Krause: Qualified
  Attorney/Legal Author
• Anna S. Reitano: Qualified
  Deputy County Counsel
• Justin Allen Clayton: Qualified
  Deputy Public Defender

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 66

• Cheryl C. Turner: Qualified
  Attorney at Law
• Ben Forer: Well qualified
  Deputy District Attorney

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 81

• Dan Kapelovitz: Qualified
  Attorney/Experimental Filmmaker
• Hon. David Walgren: Exceptionally well qualified
  Judge of the Superior Court

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 87

• David DeJute: Qualified
  Law Professor/Attorney
• Sharee S. Gordon: Qualified
  Deputy City Attorney
• Anthony (A.J.) Bayne: Well qualified
  Deputy Public Defender

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 116

• Hon. Pat Connolly: Well qualified
  Judge of the Superior Court
• Paul A. Thompson: Qualified
  Deputy District Attorney

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 131

• Carlos Dammeier: Qualified
  Administrative Law Judge
  Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (State of CA)
• David Ross: Qualified
  Deputy Alternate Public Defender
• Troy W. Slaten: Qualified
  Administrative Law Judge
  Dept. of Industrial Relations (State of CA)
• Donna Tryfman: Qualified
  Deputy Public Defender

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 176

• Gloria Marin: Well qualified
  Deputy District Attorney
• Zachary Smith: Qualified
  Deputy Public Defender

 

SUPERIOR COURT OFFICE NO. 181

• Thanayi Lindsey: Not qualified
  Administrative Law Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings (State of CA)
• Ryan Dibble: Well qualified
  Superior Court Commissioner

 

The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is May 18, 2026. Ballots may be dropped off at a ballot drop-off location or county elections office, or returned by mail. In-person early voting locations throughout California will open on Saturday, May 30, 2026. June 2 is the last day to vote in person or return a ballot by 8:00 pm. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The qualification ratings listed above are posted by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee.

 

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Op-Eds
Colorado Boulevard Newspaper accepts one election-related op-ed submission per candidate or ballot measure campaign, whether submitted by the candidate, campaign representative, or supporter. Submissions may be copy-edited for clarity, accuracy, length, and style, and final approval will be provided to the author prior to publication. Colorado Boulevard Newspaper reserves the right to decline submissions that do not meet editorial standards.

Editorial Standards
Colorado Boulevard Newspaper is an independently owned publication committed to editorial independence and journalistic integrity. Final decisions regarding coverage, recommendations, endorsements, and publication standards remain at the discretion of the editorial team.

To Our Readers
Our mission is to provide accurate reporting, investigative journalism, and public-interest coverage that informs our community. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and fact-based reporting, particularly on issues involving local government and public trust.

We encourage readers to evaluate all information carefully, engage thoughtfully in civic discourse, and participate in the democratic process through informed voting.