David Ross, a Long Beach resident and longtime deputy public defender, is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 131. The nonpartisan seat is on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. Donna Tryfman is also running.
Asked why he is seeking the bench, Ross said in our candidate questionnaire: "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 … 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
Residence: Long Beach, California
Party affiliation: Democrat (the race is nonpartisan)
Education: Ross said: "Juris Doctorate, University of West Los Angeles School of Law. Bachelor's degree, Mass Communication, University of California, Davis."
Family: Ross said: "My wife is a social justice filmmaker and writer, and my son is a local jazz pianist, composer and teacher."
Experience and public service
Ross described his work history 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 … I 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. Previous to the law, I was a TV news reporter and documentary producer in Washington D.C., Tennessee and Kansas …"
His campaign website lists endorsements from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges Tammy Chung Ryu and Eric C. Taylor. Other listed endorsers include 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.
On the issues
Judicial philosophy: Ross said in a Daily News questionnaire that he does not believe in having a judicial philosophy that implies an agenda. He said a judge's role is to follow the law as written by legislators and local government, not to shape or set public policy.
Court challenges: Asked about the biggest 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. I will 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 …"
Fairness from the bench: Asked how his public defender experience would shape his approach, 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. Many people enter court frightened, unfamiliar with the process, or juggling work, childcare, and transportation challenges. Those experiences would shape how I explain proceedings, listen patiently, and avoid mistaking confusion or frustration for disrespect …"
What sets him apart: Ross said: "I bring a unique blend of legal and life experience that no one else in this race offers. Prior to my 31 years as a Public Defender, I was a television news reporter and documentary producer for PBS in Washington, D.C., CBS in Tennessee and NBC in Kansas. I interviewed real people, gathered the facts, and told independent and objective stories …"
Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been edited for grammar or style.
