Judge Patrick Connolly is running to retain his seat on the Los Angeles County Superior Court in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The race is nonpartisan.

Connolly, who describes himself as a registered independent on his campaign website, said 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
  • Party registration: Independent (nonpartisan), according to the candidate

Experience and public service

Connolly has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2008, according to Ballotpedia. He has also 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 only the most violent cases.

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 involving a criminal defense attorney, including improper ex parte communications and excluding the attorney from a hearing. In 2010, Connolly received a private admonishment from the same commission for his use of profanity in a judicial profile interview and in chambers discussions with attorneys, according to the 2016 public admonishment document.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Connolly described himself as "an independent and principled judge who applies the law fairly, runs a disciplined courtroom, and gives every case careful attention," according to his Ballotpedia questionnaire response. He said his career has been defined by accountability, public safety and respect for the law.

Endorsements

Connolly has received endorsements from law enforcement organizations, a labor union, a legal publication and a bar association rating. The race is nonpartisan. The following endorsements were reported by CityWatch LA and Ballotpedia:

  • Long Beach Police Benefit Association
  • Los Angeles Police Protective League
  • International Longshore and Warehouse Union
  • Metropolitan News-Enterprise (editorial board endorsement)
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association (rated "Well Qualified")

Candidate information is drawn from Connolly's campaign website, his Ballotpedia questionnaire response, CityWatch LA and the California Commission on Judicial Performance. Statements attributed to the candidate reflect his own claims and have not been independently verified by the Platinum Tribune.