# David Ross *legal · Superior Court Judge, Office 131 · attorney* — November 3, 2026 General Election (2026-11-03), Los Angeles County, California Research pack generated 2026-10-30T23:52:30+00:00 by ballotscope. Summaries are LLM-generated from the linked originals and may contain errors; check the originals before relying on anything. Sources span 2022-09-15 to 2026-10-20. ## Overview (as of 2026-10-29, from 22 sources) David Ross is a Los Angeles County deputy alternate public defender (since 2000), formerly a Riverside County deputy public defender and, before law school, a TV reporter and congressional aide [About David Ross (campaign site); LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election]. He faces Deputy Public Defender Donna Tryfman in the Office 131 runoff; the LA County Bar Association rated both, and both eliminated primary candidates, "Qualified" [LAist guide to the 2026 primary L.A. Superior Court Judge races; Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131; Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges: Who's running in the Nov. 3 election and why it matters; LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election]. Knock LA's progressive guide calls him "the most qualified candidate" [Knock LA Voter Guide, June 2026: Judges], and his endorsers include about 90 judges, labor unions, La Defensa, Working Families Party and Democratic clubs [David Ross for Judge 2026 (campaign site); Blue Voter Guide: David Ross]. The Daily News and MetNews editorial boards endorsed Tryfman instead: the Daily News called Ross competent and level-headed but faulted his touting of La Defensa [Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131], while MetNews perceived "a lack of a commitment to fairness and accuracy" [MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131]. In his own words he stresses that litigants should leave court knowing "the judge listened" [About David Ross (campaign site)]. Former DA Steve Cooley and ADA SoCal endorse both candidates [Americans for Democratic Action Southern California: judicial endorsements; Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131]. ### Record highlights - Riverside County deputy public defender from 1995 (27 jury trials), then LA County Alternate Public Defender from 2000 (86 jury trials); assigned to Torrance since 2018. [About David Ross (campaign site); LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election] - Claims about 10,000 indigent clients, 113 jury trials and 2,000+ preliminary hearings, figures the LA Times reports as his claim. [About David Ross (campaign site); The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge; LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election] - Judge pro tem for small claims and limited civil cases, 2003-2004; adjunct law professor at Western State, 2002-2006. [About David Ross (campaign site); Beverly High Alumnus David Ross Launches Campaign for Superior Court Judge] - Former APD Janice Fukai says he completed 77 jury trials under her tenure. [David Ross for Judge 2026 (campaign site)] - Before law, a legislative aide to Rep. Floyd Fithian and a TV reporter in Tennessee and Kansas. [About David Ross (campaign site); LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election] - State Bar license active since December 1994, with no discipline shown. [State Bar of California attorney profile: David Ross] ### Stated positions - Describes his philosophy as an approach, 'to be open, empathic, fair, unbiased,' and declines to preview rulings, citing the Canons (April 2026). [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] - Sentencing starts from the statutory framework and record; alternatives when eligible, proportionate custody when not. [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] - Opposes voluntary jury service and Zoom juries. [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] - Would disclose and, if required, recuse when a campaign supporter appears before him. [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] - Calls the idea that public defenders are biased toward defendants 'just a stereotype.' [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] - Named Justices Kagan, Sotomayor and Jackson as 'judicial heroes' for intellectual honesty, in a Daily News survey. [Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131] ### Where sources disagree - MetNews perceives a lack of commitment to fairness and accuracy; the Daily News sees 'little doubting' his competence or professionalism, and Knock LA calls him the most qualified. [MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131; Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131; Knock LA Voter Guide, June 2026: Judges] - Jury trials: 113 in his campaign total (27 Riverside + 86 LA), while former APD Janice Fukai cites 77 under her tenure; the figures may cover different periods. [About David Ross (campaign site); David Ross for Judge 2026 (campaign site)] ### Gaps - No official election results in the sources. - LACBA's own ratings page stored no text; the Qualified rating is confirmed through LAist, the Daily News, Colorado Boulevard and the LA Times. - The MetNews column on Ross that its endorsement cites is not among the sources. - No court filings, briefs or rulings by him, and no case-level record. - No debate, forum transcript or unscripted interview. - No campaign finance records beyond his own April figure of about $22,000 raised. - La Defensa's guide, the Daily Journal bar-ratings story and GoodParty's profile could not be fetched. ### Arguments for / praise - Excellent resume, commitment to people 'left behind by our system,' and thoughtfulness and temperament in interviews; 'the progressive choice and the most qualified candidate.' — *Knock LA* [Knock LA Voter Guide, June 2026: Judges] - Competent, professional, level-headed and restrained. — *Los Angeles Daily News editorial board* [Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131] - Judges and prosecutors who faced him praise his candor, preparation and 'ideal judicial temperament.' — *Ross campaign (testimonials from Judge Tammy Chung Ryu, Deputy DA Jodi Link and others)* [David Ross for Judge 2026 (campaign site)] - Could run court proceedings proficiently, with three decades of courtroom experience. — *Metropolitan News-Enterprise* [MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131] ### Arguments against / criticism - Perceived lack of commitment to fairness and accuracy; a 'smooth-talker.' — *Metropolitan News-Enterprise* [MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131] - His touting of support from the 'far-left' group La Defensa 'reflects on his judgment.' — *Los Angeles Daily News editorial board* [Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131] - A judge quoted in MetNews said he could 'come off a bit arrogant' (the Daily News did not see this). — *Los Angeles Daily News editorial board (citing MetNews)* [Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131] ## Analysis of their own words (as of 2026-10-29) Coverage: Five own-words samples, all from the 2026 campaign: one written Q&A interview (CityWatch, April 2026, S2), a lifestyle Q&A (ShoutoutLA, April 2026, S3), a campaign biography PDF (S1) and the campaign site's About and home pages (S4, S5). All are prepared text; there is no unscripted speech, debate, transcript, brief or court filing, and no sample before 2026. Nothing in his own words addresses a specific case he handled. Frames judging as an approach and a temperament rather than a doctrine: being open, fair and unbiased, and making sure litigants feel heard. He declines to say how he would rule on future issues, citing the Canons of Judicial Ethics. On sentencing he starts from the statutory framework and the record, then weighs risk, history, victim input and rehabilitation, with custody when alternatives are legally unavailable or have failed. He states no interpretive method and gives no view on precedent or deference. The evidence does not support a political label. Articulation: **adequate**. Prepared text only. His sentencing answer is the most specific in the record, walking through statute, probation report, risk assessment, history, victim input and alternatives in order (S2). He answers direct questions directly, including fundraising ("I have raised about $22,000; I hope to raise up to $75,000," S2) and Zoom juries. His philosophy answer is general, and the ShoutoutLA piece (S3) is mostly personal. Consistency: **adequate**. The 'heard even if you lose' theme recurs in S1, S2, S4 and S5, and his figures agree across samples (113 jury trials = 27 in Riverside + 86 in LA, S4; 75 judicial endorsements, S1-S3). One variance in wording: in S2 he says "I've been a Deputy Public Defender for 30 years," while S4 and S5 say he has been an LA County deputy alternate public defender since 2000. S5 addresses the difference. All samples are from 2026. - Judicial philosophy: An approach centered on openness, fairness and temperament; will not preview rulings. - "My judicial philosophy is more of an approach: to be open, empathic, fair, unbiased, and offer the kind of judicial temperament we’ve been longing for." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - "The Canons of Judicial Ethics do not allow me to say how I would rule on any future issue before the court, whether it’s a civil case or criminal." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - Sentencing: Individualized, framework-first sentencing; alternatives when eligible and supported, custody when not. - "my decision would be guided by the law, the evidence, and the purposes of sentencing, not a one-size-fits-all approach" [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - "I would impose a custodial sentence that is proportionate and supported by the record." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - Jury service: Opposes a voluntary jury system and remote (Zoom) juries. - "Personally, I do not feel the jury system should be voluntary." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - "I do not support ZOOM juries; a juror needs to be in the courtroom to assess the evidence and the credibility of all witnesses." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - Conflicts with campaign supporters: Disclose on the record and recuse when the law requires; endorsers get no special treatment. - "If necessary, I would recuse myself when the law and the facts so require." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - "Just because someone, or an entity, endorsed or supported my campaign, does not mean they will receive any special treatment in my courtroom." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - Public defenders on the bench: Rejects the view that defenders are biased toward defendants; argues it is time for a public defender judge. - "It’s just a stereotype." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - "I feel it is the right time for a Public Defender to sit on the Bench." [The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge] (2026-04-02) - The justice system: Views the system as broadly functional but serving clients disproportionately caught up in it. - "which for the most part works" [Meet David Ross] (2026-04-02) Limitations: No unscripted speech, debate or court filings; nothing shows how he handles contested questions in real time or how he has argued specific cases. Campaign biographies are written in the third person and may not be his own drafting. Criticisms of him reported elsewhere (for example, on candor) cannot be assessed from his own words. ## Timeline (newest first) - **2026-10-20** — Published: LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election (Los Angeles Times) - **2026-10-09** — Published: 2026 General Election: Recommendations for L.A. County Superior Court Judges (Colorado Boulevard) - **2026-10-02** — Published: Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges: Who's running in the Nov. 3 election and why it matters (LAist) - **2026-05-28** — Published: Robyn Nordell judicial recommendations (May 28, 2026) (Robyn Nordell) - **2026-05-19** — Published: Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131 (Los Angeles Daily News (Southern California News Group)) - **2026-05-19** — Daily News editorial board endorses Tryfman over Ross (Los Angeles Daily News (Southern California News Group)) - **2026-05-11** — Published: LA County Superior Court judges recommendations 2026 (Colorado Boulevard) - **2026-05-09** — Published: Knock LA Voter Guide, June 2026: Judges (Knock LA) - **2026-05-09** — Knock LA publishes June primary judicial recommendations (Knock LA) - **2026-04-24** — Published: Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee Announces 2026 Ratings (Los Angeles County Bar Association) - **2026-04-20** — Published: LAist: LA County Bar Association ratings of 2026 Superior Court judicial candidates (LAist) - **2026-04-17** — Published: LAist guide to the 2026 primary L.A. Superior Court Judge races (LAist) - **2026-04-09** — Published: Beverly High Alumnus David Ross Launches Campaign for Superior Court Judge (Beverly Hills Standard) - **2026-04-02** — Published: Meet David Ross (Shoutout LA) - **2026-04-02** — Published: The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge (CityWatch LA) - **2026-04-02** — CityWatch publishes Ross interview (CityWatch LA) - **2026-04-02** — Published: David Ross biography (campaign PDF) (David Ross for Judge 2026) - **2026-04-01** — Published: MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131 (Metropolitan News-Enterprise) - **2026-04-01** — MetNews endorses Tryfman over Ross (Metropolitan News-Enterprise) - **2026-02-19** — Published: Ross Is Judge Candidate (Bits n Pieces) (Beachcomber) - **2026-02-19** — Beachcomber reports Ross's candidacy (Beachcomber) - **2022-09-15** — Published: Defenders of Justice Could Bring Big Changes to LA Courts (Random Lengths News) - **2018** — Ross assigned to Torrance office (Los Angeles Times) - **2002** — Begins adjunct teaching at Western State (David Ross for Judge 2026) - **2000** — Ross joins LA County Alternate Public Defender's Office (Beverly Hills Standard) - **2000** — Ross joins LA County Alternate Public Defender (Los Angeles Times) - **2000** — Joins LA County Alternate Public Defender (David Ross for Judge 2026) - **1995** — Ross joins Riverside County public defender (Los Angeles Times) - **1994-12-12** — Admitted to the State Bar of California (State Bar of California) ## Sources ### LA Times: Your guide to the L.A. County Superior Court Judge Office 131 election - Los Angeles Times · voter guide · published 2026-10-20 · stance: neutral - LA Times guide to the Office 131 runoff: Ross and Tryfman both have extensive trial experience and LACBA 'Qualified' ratings. - Ross passed the bar in 1994, joined Riverside County's public defender in 1995, and became an LA County deputy alternate public defender in 2000; assigned to Torrance since 2018. - He 'claims' 113 jury trials, 2,000+ preliminary hearings and about 10,000 indigent clients. - Quotes him: 'I grew up wanting to be Peter Jennings, not Clarence Darrow.' ### 2026 General Election: Recommendations for L.A. County Superior Court Judges - Colorado Boulevard · endorsement · published 2026-10-09 · stance: neutral - Colorado Boulevard's general-election judicial recommendations repeat the LACBA ratings: Ross and Tryfman both Qualified for Office 131. - Office 131 runoff: David Ross (Deputy Alternate Public Defender) and Donna Tryfman (Deputy Public Defender), both rated Qualified by LACBA. - Reference: L.A. County Superior Court Judges Recommendations: 2026 Primary ### Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges: Who's running in the Nov. 3 election and why it matters - LAist · voter guide · published 2026-10-02 · stance: neutral - LAist's general-election judges guide lists both Office 131 runoff candidates with occupation, website and LACBA rating; both are rated Qualified. - Ross: deputy alternate public defender, County of Los Angeles; LACBA Qualified. - Tryfman: deputy public defender, County of Los Angeles; LACBA Qualified. - Endorsements are referred to the candidates' websites. - Reference: Ross State Bar profile - Reference: Tryfman State Bar profile - Reference: LACBA judicial elections evaluation ### Robyn Nordell judicial recommendations (May 28, 2026) - Robyn Nordell · third party analysis · published 2026-05-28 · stance: unknown - ### Endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Superior Court Office No. 131 - Los Angeles Daily News (Southern California News Group) · endorsement · published 2026-05-19 · stance: support - The Daily News editorial board endorses Tryfman over Ross, calling Ross competent and level-headed but faulting his touting of support from the 'far-left' group La Defensa. - Says alternate public defenders do 'the same work' as public defenders. - Quotes Ross's survey answer naming Justices Kagan, Sotomayor and Jackson as 'judicial heroes' because 'they are intellectually honest in their opinions.' - Notes a MetNews piece quoted a judge saying Ross could 'come off a bit arrogant,' which the board did not observe. - Concludes there is 'little doubting Ross' competence or professionalism.' - Reference: La Defensa 2026 primary voter guide ### LA County Superior Court judges recommendations 2026 - Colorado Boulevard · third party analysis · published 2026-05-11 · stance: neutral - Colorado Boulevard's primary-election judicial recommendations list the LACBA rating for each candidate; all four Office 131 candidates, including Ross, are listed as Qualified. - Office 131: Carlos Dammeier, David Ross, Troy W. Slaten and Donna Tryfman, each rated Qualified by the LACBA committee. - The board's recommendations were marked with check marks that did not survive text extraction. ### Knock LA Voter Guide, June 2026: Judges - Knock LA · third party analysis · published 2026-05-09 · stance: support - Knock LA's progressive June 2026 judicial guide recommends Ross for Seat 131. - Calls Ross 'both the progressive choice and the most qualified candidate,' citing his resume, commitment to 'the people left behind by our system,' and the thoughtfulness and temperament he showed in organization interviews. - Explains the Alternate Public Defender handles multi-defendant and conflict cases the Public Defender cannot take. ### Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee Announces 2026 Ratings - Los Angeles County Bar Association · bar evaluation · published 2026-04-24 · stance: not_applicable - ### LAist: LA County Bar Association ratings of 2026 Superior Court judicial candidates - LAist · bar evaluation · published 2026-04-20 · stance: neutral - LAist explainer on how the LA County Bar Association's Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee rates Superior Court candidates. It does not name or rate Ross or any Office 131 candidate. - Four tiers: Exceptionally Well Qualified (>75% of voting members), Well Qualified (>60%), Qualified (>50%), Not Qualified. - Candidates are rated individually, not against opponents; investigations are confidential and only the rating is public. - The 2026 committee has 40 members; candidates supply 50 to 75 references. - Reference: LAist 2026 general-election judges guide ### LAist guide to the 2026 primary L.A. Superior Court Judge races - LAist · voter guide · published 2026-04-17 · stance: neutral - LAist's primary-election judges guide lists all four Office 131 candidates; each is rated Qualified by the LACBA. - Office 131 (primary): Carlos Dammeier (ALJ, Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board), David Ross (deputy alternate public defender), Troy W. Slaten (ALJ, Department of Industrial Relations), Donna Tryfman (deputy public defender). - All four LACBA ratings: Qualified. - Reference: Ross State Bar profile ### Beverly High Alumnus David Ross Launches Campaign for Superior Court Judge - Beverly Hills Standard · news · published 2026-04-09 · stance: neutral - Beverly Hills Standard item on Ross's campaign launch, drawn from his campaign announcement. - Grade IV Deputy Alternate Public Defender; campaign claims 10,000+ indigent clients, 113 jury trials, 2,000+ preliminary hearings. - Quotes Ross: every person in court should leave 'knowing that the judge listened.' ### Meet David Ross - Shoutout LA · interview · published 2026-04-02 · stance: neutral - ShoutoutLA lifestyle Q&A with Ross in his own words, mostly personal, with one answer on his career and candidacy. - 'I'm a Public Defender, not a Politician.' - Says he left TV news because it 'evolved from news to "infotainment"' and became a public defender 'to help people with no voice.' - Says the criminal justice system 'for the most part works.' - Claims support from unions, Democratic clubs, 75 judges and more than 100 officials, prosecutors and defenders. - Reference: Ross campaign site ### The David Ross Interview for LA County Judge - CityWatch LA · interview · published 2026-04-02 · stance: neutral - CityWatch LA written Q&A in which Ross sets out his approach to judging, sentencing, impartiality and juries. - Describes his philosophy as 'more of an approach: to be open, empathic, fair, unbiased'; declines to say how he would rule, citing the Canons. - Walks through sentencing factors for a nonviolent repeat offender: statute, probation report, risk, history, victim input, then alternatives or custody 'proportionate and supported by the record.' - Opposes a voluntary jury system and Zoom juries. - Says he had raised about $22,000 and hoped to reach $75,000. ### David Ross biography (campaign PDF) - David Ross for Judge 2026 · position statement · published 2026-04-02 · stance: support - Ross campaign biography PDF; same text as the About page, plus headline figures and four labor/club endorsers. - 30 years courtroom experience, 75 judicial endorsements, 2,000+ preliminary hearings, 113 jury trials. - Endorsed by APWU Local 64, East Area Progressive Democrats, IBEW Local 47, IUOE Local 12. ### MetNews endorsement: Donna Tryfman for Office No. 131 - Metropolitan News-Enterprise · endorsement · published 2026-04-01 · stance: support - The Metropolitan News-Enterprise endorses Tryfman and is sharply critical of Ross, perceiving 'a lack of a commitment to fairness and accuracy on his part.' - Says Ross 'arguably has the aptitude for judicial service' and could run court proceedings proficiently. - Calls Ross a 'smooth-talker' and Tryfman a 'straight-talker.' - Refers to a separate MetNews column on Ross and a March 2 anonymous MetNews article by a Tryfman supporter denigrating Ross. ### Ross Is Judge Candidate (Bits n Pieces) - Beachcomber · news · published 2026-02-19 · stance: neutral - Beachcomber (Long Beach) news brief on Ross's candidacy, based on his announcement. - Long Beach resident for 30 years; Grade IV Deputy Alternate Public Defender. - Quotes Ross: 'Our courts must reflect patience, fairness and respect for the community they serve.' ### Defenders of Justice Could Bring Big Changes to LA Courts - Random Lengths News · news · published 2022-09-15 · stance: unknown - ### State Bar of California attorney profile: David Ross - State Bar of California · other · published undated · stance: not_applicable - State Bar of California license record for David Arthur Ross (#174591): active, admitted December 12, 1994, no discipline shown. - License status: Active. - Address: Alternate Public Defender's Office, Torrance. - Law school: University of West Los Angeles. ### From UWLA to the Courtroom: UWLA Alumnus David Ross (1994) Announces Judicial Candidacy - University of West Los Angeles · news · published undated · stance: neutral - University of West Los Angeles news item on alumnus Ross's candidacy, restating his campaign biography. - UWLA JD (1994), top 13% of class, Gitelson Award for legal writing, UWLA Law Review. - 113 jury trials, 2,000+ preliminary hearings, 10,000+ indigent clients; adjunct professor and judge pro tem. ### David Ross for Judge 2026 (campaign site) - David Ross for Judge 2026 · position statement · published undated · stance: support - Ross's campaign home page: statement, testimonials and long lists of judicial, legal, labor, political and organizational endorsements. - Statement: 30 years as a Riverside County deputy public defender and LA County deputy alternate public defender; 'Despite the different title, Deputy Alternate Public Defenders perform the same work.' - 'I will be a fair, independent and unbiased judge who listens to all sides.' - Endorsers include about 90 judges and commissioners (among them former presiding judge Eric Taylor, Judge Richard Goul and defeated rival Carlos Dammeier), Steve Cooley, Bill Lockyer, Betty Yee, the ADDA, ILWU and other unions, La Defensa, Knock LA, Working Families Party and many Democratic clubs. - Testimonials from judges and prosecutors praise his candor and temperament; former APD Janice Fukai says he completed 77 jury trials under her tenure. - Reference: Ross biography PDF - Reference: CityWatch interview ### Blue Voter Guide: David Ross - Blue Voter Guide · voter guide · published undated · stance: neutral - Blue Voter Guide, a progressive endorsement aggregator, lists Ross's LACBA 'Qualified' rating and his endorsements, noting La Defensa's recommendation. - General-election endorsers listed include ADA SoCal, California Working Families Party, CA NOW PAC, ILWU SoCal District Council, Knock LA, La Defensa, Los Angeles Sentinel, Unite Here Local 11 and many Democratic clubs. - Reference: LACBA 2026 ratings announcement - Reference: La Defensa 2026 primary voter guide ### Americans for Democratic Action Southern California: judicial endorsements - Americans for Democratic Action - Southern California · endorsement · published undated · stance: support - Americans for Democratic Action Southern California's judicial endorsement page endorses both Ross and Tryfman for Seat 131, reprinting each campaign's biography. - ADA SoCal endorses David Ross for Seat 131. - ADA SoCal also endorses Donna Tryfman for Seat 131. - Reference: Ross campaign site - Reference: Tryfman campaign site ### The Ballot Brief: David Ross - The Ballot Brief · voter guide · published undated · stance: neutral - The Ballot Brief's AI-written profile of Ross summarizes his campaign site. - Priorities per campaign site: judicial accessibility and respect for all parties; temperament from courtroom experience; representing those who cannot afford counsel. - Also lists solo civil practice, adjunct teaching and judge pro tem service. - Reference: Ross campaign site ### Two public defenders are running for judge; only one has demonstrated the temperament for the bench - CityWatch LA · third party analysis · published undated · stance: unknown - ### GoodParty: David Ross - GoodParty.org · other · published undated · stance: unknown - ### About David Ross (campaign site) - David Ross for Judge 2026 · position statement · published undated · stance: support - Ross campaign 'About' page: his biography in the campaign's voice. - Riverside County deputy public defender (27 jury trials), then LA County Alternate Public Defender from 2000 (86 jury trials). - Adjunct law professor at Western State 2002-2006; judge pro tem 2003-2004 (small claims, limited civil). - Earlier a TV reporter in Chattanooga and Wichita and a legislative aide to Rep. Floyd Fithian. - Goal: that people 'leave the courtroom knowing that the judge listened.' ### California College Republicans voter guide: Los Angeles - California College Republicans · third party analysis · published undated · stance: unknown - ### LA County Superior Court Judge, Office No. 131 - The Ballot Brief · voter guide · published undated · stance: neutral - The Ballot Brief's AI-written race page lists Tryfman and Ross as the Office 131 runoff candidates, with priorities and bios drawn from their campaign sites. - Tryfman priorities per her site: fairness and due process, judicial experience, ethical leadership; Major Cases Unit, homicide and capital litigation; past Public Defenders Association president. - Ross priorities per his site: judicial accessibility and respect, temperament, representing those who cannot afford counsel; 30 years as a Riverside County deputy public defender and LA County deputy alternate public defender; former TV reporter, legislative aide, adjunct professor, judge pro tem. - Reference: Tryfman campaign site - Reference: Ross campaign site ### La Defensa 2026 primary voter guide - La Defensa · third party analysis · published undated · stance: unknown - ### County bar groups issue mixed ratings on judicial candidates - Daily Journal · news · published undated · stance: neutral - ## Suggested use Ask me neutral questions about this subject using the material above. Distinguish what the sources say from your own background knowledge, cite the source titles you rely on, and say when information may be out of date given the dates shown.