Maria Ghobadi, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, is running for Superior Court Judge Office 64 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces one opponent, Rhonda A. Haymon, in the nonpartisan race.

Ghobadi said her campaign centers on "Public Safety. Equal Justice." She said on her campaign website that she understands the balance between protecting the public and upholding the constitutional rights of the accused.

Candidate information

  • Office sought: 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
  • Personal background: Born in Iran. Ghobadi said she fled to the United States with her family after the Iranian Revolution and settled 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, including nearly 11 years as a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney with more than 6.5 years in the Gang Homicide Division. She has handled more than 85 jury trials, 21 of them involving homicide charges, according to the Metropolitan News-Enterprise.

Before joining the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Ghobadi said she worked as a prosecutor and in the 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, according to her campaign website.

Ghobadi said she has volunteered with the Waymakers Foundation, supporting outreach programs for at-risk populations, and with Project LEAD, teaching fifth-grade students about the law and education. She also said she serves as a board member of the Saddleback Community College Foundation, according to her campaign website.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Ghobadi said a vote for her is a vote to ensure the courtroom remains a place of fairness, respect and balanced justice, according to her campaign website. Her campaign did not provide detailed policy positions beyond her stated platform of public safety and equal justice.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Ghobadi's campaign website, except where noted:

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

The race is nonpartisan. Voters will decide the seat Nov. 3.