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 for the seat.

Asked in a Platinum Tribune questionnaire why he is seeking the bench, Ross said, "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, "So many people complain that on their day in court the judge didn't listen to them. My promise is 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

Family: "My wife is a social justice filmmaker and writer, and my son is a local jazz pianist, composer and teacher," Ross said in our questionnaire.

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

Experience and public service

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

Ross said that before entering law he worked as "a TV news reporter and documentary producer in Washington D.C., Tennessee and Kansas, gathering the facts and telling objective stories." He also said he served as "a Legislative Aide on Capitol Hill, learning how government works from the inside."

On the issues

Judicial philosophy and activism: Asked about his judicial philosophy in a Daily News questionnaire, Ross said he does not believe in having a judicial philosophy that implies an agenda, which he considers inappropriate for an independent judge. He said there is no place in the court system for activist judges who infuse their world views and personal beliefs into courtroom decisions, according to the Daily News, and that a judge's role is to follow the law as written by legislators and local government.

Court backlog and community outreach: Asked about the most significant challenges facing the court, Ross said in our questionnaire, "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 31 years of legal training to bring all sides together, move cases along, and bring resolution to litigants, victims, witnesses and the public." Ross also said he would "use my past journalism background to rewrite complicated legal forms than many pro per litigants don't understand" and "continue my efforts at reaching out to the community … to hear what is important to them."

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." He added, "My work has also taught me to examine evidence carefully, question assumptions, and recognize how profoundly court decisions affect people's lives."

What sets him apart: Ross said in our questionnaire, "I bring a unique blend of legal and life experience that no one else in this race offers." He said his journalism career taught him to gather facts and tell "independent and objective stories. It's the kind of independent and objective experience you want in a judge."

Endorsements: Ross's campaign website lists endorsements from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Tammy Chung Ryu, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eric C. Taylor, the Los Angeles Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47 and the L.A. Sentinel, among others.

Candidate responses were collected through a Platinum Tribune questionnaire. The election is Nov. 3, 2026.