David Ross is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 131, a nonpartisan seat on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. Donna Tryfman is also running.

Asked why he is running, Ross said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running to be an independent judge who listens to all sides, is tolerant and open minded, and ready to deliver honest and transparent decisions on Day One." He added that "even when one side loses, they will walk out of court knowing the judge heard their case."

Candidate information

Age: 68, according to Ross

Residence: Long Beach, California, according to Ross

Party affiliation: "Democrat," according to Ross

Education: "Juris Doctorate, University of West Los Angeles School of Law. Bachelor's degree, Mass Communication, University of California, Davis," according to Ross

Family: "My wife is a social justice filmmaker and writer, and my son is a local jazz pianist, composer and teacher," according to Ross

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Ross said in our questionnaire: "I've been a Deputy Public Defender for 31 years in Riverside County and now LA County. I've litigated 116 jury trials, 2000+ contested preliminary hearings, and represented more than 10,000 people."

Ross said he also served as "a professor of legal writing and research at Western State University school of law" and has "been a Judge Pro Tem in several Los Angeles County courts."

Before entering law, Ross said he "was a TV news reporter and documentary producer in Washington D.C., Tennessee and Kansas." He also said he worked as "a Legislative Aide on Capitol Hill, learning how government works from the inside."

Ross's campaign website lists endorsements from Los Angeles County Superior Court judges Hon. Tammy Chung Ryu and Hon. Eric C. Taylor, the Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys and the L.A. Sentinel. Labor union endorsers include the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47.

On the issues

On critical differences: Ross said in our questionnaire: "I bring a unique blend of legal and life experience that no one else in this race offers. Prior to my 31 years as a Public Defender, I was a television news reporter and documentary producer for PBS in Washington, D.C., CBS in Tennessee and NBC in Kansas. I interviewed real people, gathered the facts, and told independent and objective stories."

Ensuring fair proceedings: Asked how his public defender experience would shape his approach on the bench, Ross said: "In 31 years as a public defender, I have represented more than 10,000 clients and learned that being heard begins with being treated with dignity. Many people enter court frightened, unfamiliar with the process, or juggling work, childcare, and transportation challenges."

He said those experiences "would shape how I explain proceedings, listen patiently, and avoid mistaking confusion or frustration for disrespect."

Court challenges: Asked about the most significant challenges facing the court, Ross said: "There is a terrible backlog of criminal and civil cases that need to be addressed. Justice delayed is justice denied." He said he would "use my past journalism background to rewrite complicated legal forms than many pro per litigants don't understand" and continue "reaching out to the community … to hear what is important to them."

Judicial activism: Ross told the Daily News he opposes judicial activism, saying there is no place for activist judges who bring their world views and personal beliefs into courtroom decisions. He said a judge's role is to follow the law as written by legislators and local government, not to shape or set public policy.

Best advice: "To listen to all sides and keep an open mind before offering your opinion or advice. To be tolerant of others. And to be humble enough to admit you made a mistake and learn from your errors," Ross said.

Candidate responses were collected through a Pasadena Ledger questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words. The Ledger does not endorse candidates.