Maria Ghobadi, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 64, on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. The nonpartisan race also includes Rhonda A. Haymon.

Ghobadi said on her campaign website that her campaign centers on public safety and equal justice. She said she understands the balance between protecting the public and upholding the constitutional rights of the accused.

Candidate information

  • Name: Maria Ghobadi
  • Race: Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 64
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor of science in biology, according to her campaign website

Ghobadi was born in Iran and fled to the United States with her family after the Iranian Revolution, settling in Southern California, according to her campaign website.

Experience and public service

Ghobadi said she has more than 17 years of experience as a prosecutor. That includes nearly 11 years as a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, with more than 6.5 years in the Gang Homicide Division, according to her campaign biography.

The Metropolitan News-Enterprise reported that Ghobadi has handled more than 85 jury trials, 21 of them entailing homicide charges, during her nearly 11 years at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Before joining the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Ghobadi said she worked as a prosecutor and in a domestic violence unit at a Northern California district attorney's office. She also said she served as a deputy trial attorney at the State Bar of California.

Outside the courtroom, Ghobadi said she has served as a board member of the Saddleback Community College Foundation. She said she has supported outreach programs for at-risk populations through the Waymakers Foundation and volunteered in classrooms with Project LEAD, teaching fifth-grade students about the law and education.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Ghobadi said on her campaign website that she wants to ensure the courtroom remains a place of fairness, respect and balanced justice.

Ghobadi did not supply additional issue responses.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Ghobadi's campaign website unless otherwise noted:

  • Crime Survivors PAC
  • SEIU 721
  • Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 11
  • Long Beach Police Officers Association
  • ALADS (Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs)
  • National Women's Political Caucus
  • Stonewall Democratic Club
  • International Longshore and Warehouse Union – ILWU SCDC
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association, Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee — Well Qualified
  • Los Angeles Police Protective League
  • Metropolitan News-Enterprise (per the Metropolitan News-Enterprise)
  • Los Angeles County Democrats (per BallotReady)

Candidate responses are drawn from Ghobadi's campaign website and the Metropolitan News-Enterprise. Voters can learn more at mariaghobadi4judge.com.