Judge Patrick Connolly is running for reelection to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on the Nov. 3 ballot. Pasadena voters will see the nonpartisan race on their ballots. Connolly has held the seat since 2008, according to Ballotpedia.

Connolly describes himself as an independent, saying on his campaign website that he believes a judge should represent everyone fairly, impartially and without bias.

Candidate information

  • Raised in: Cypress, California
  • Education: Bachelor of arts in sociology with a minor in business administration, University of San Diego (1988); Juris Doctor, University of San Diego School of Law (1991)
  • Bar admission: California, June 1992

Experience and public service

Connolly has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2008, according to Ballotpedia. He has served as presiding judge of the master calendar and community collaborative court at the Compton Courthouse, according to his campaign website.

Before joining the bench, Connolly worked as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. He said on his campaign website that he served as a homicide and gang prosecutor, trying what he described as only the most violent cases.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Connolly said in his Ballotpedia questionnaire response that he brings decades of experience as both a prosecutor and a judge. He described himself as "an independent and principled judge who applies the law fairly, runs a disciplined courtroom, and gives every case careful attention."

He said his career has been defined by accountability, public safety and respect for the law, according to the same questionnaire.

Judicial discipline record

The California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished Connolly on March 23, 2016. The commission found he engaged in conduct reflecting embroilment and abuse of authority with a criminal defense attorney, including improper ex parte communications and excluding the attorney from a hearing.

Connolly also received a private admonishment from the commission in 2010 for use of profanity in a judicial profile interview and in chambers discussions with attorneys, according to the same commission document.

Endorsements

Connolly has received endorsements from law enforcement organizations, a labor union and a legal publication, according to his Ballotpedia page and a CityWatch LA interview:

  • Los Angeles Police Protective League
  • Long Beach Police Benefit Association
  • International Longshore and Warehouse Union
  • Metropolitan News-Enterprise (editorial board)

The Los Angeles County Bar Association rated Connolly "Well Qualified," according to CityWatch LA.

Candidate information is drawn from Connolly's campaign website, his Ballotpedia questionnaire response, Ballotpedia's research and a published document from the California Commission on Judicial Performance.