Maria Ghobadi, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, is running for Superior Court Judge, Office 64, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The nonpartisan race also includes Rhonda A. Haymon.

Ghobadi says her campaign centers on "Public Safety. Equal Justice," according to her campaign website.

Candidate information

  • Name: Maria Ghobadi
  • Race: 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

Ghobadi was born in Iran and fled to the United States with her family after the Iranian Revolution, settling in Southern California, according to her campaign biography.

Experience and public service

Ghobadi says she has over 17 years of experience as a prosecutor. She says she spent nearly 11 years as a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney, with more than 6.5 years in the Gang Homicide Division. The Metropolitan News-Enterprise reported she handled more than 85 jury trials, 21 of them involving homicide charges, during her time at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Before joining the L.A. County office, Ghobadi says she worked as a prosecutor at a Northern California district attorney's office, including in its domestic violence unit. She also says she served as a deputy trial attorney at the State Bar of California, according to her campaign biography.

Outside the courtroom, Ghobadi says she has volunteered with the Waymakers Foundation, supporting outreach programs for at-risk populations. She says she has also volunteered in classrooms through Project LEAD, teaching fifth-grade students about the law and education. She says she serves as a board member of the Saddleback Community College Foundation.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Ghobadi says she understands the balance between protecting the public and upholding the constitutional rights of the accused. She says 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.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Ghobadi's campaign website unless otherwise noted:

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

Candidate information is drawn from Ghobadi's campaign website, her campaign biography page and Metropolitan News-Enterprise reporting. Positions reflect the candidate's own statements unless otherwise attributed.