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Judge White-Brown Has No Election Challenger
Judge Garnett Gains a Second Opponent
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gloria White-Brown has been spared an election challenge, with Long Beach Assistant City Attorney Randall Fudge, who had taken out nominating papers for her office, choosing yesterday to run, instead, for an open seat.
White-Brown said she has no comment. Fudge had contemplated the challenge in light of White-Brown’s announcement that she will be retiring this year.
Fudge is now pitted against Deputy Public Defender Holly L. Hancock and Deputy District Attorney Renee Yolande Chang in the race for Office No. 70. However, and attorneys Eric Alfonso Torices and Matthew Vodnoy have also taken out nominating petitions for that seat and have until Friday to return them.
Reuben Enters Race
Also yesterday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett gained a second opponent: attorney Tim Reuben, managing partner of the West Los Angeles firm of Reuben Raucher & Blum. Also in the race is bankruptcy attorney Frank Amador whose practice does not appear to be extensive.
It is unlikely that Garnett, if elected, would commence a new term in January. She has been nominated to a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
A hearing on the nomination was held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 16 and questioning of Garnett was not intensive, presaging a favorable recommendation.
Also yesterday, two candidates turned in their petitions for Office No. 151, an open seat. They are Deputy Public Defender Patrick Hare and Deputy District Attorney Richard Quiñones.
Already in that race are Deputy District Attorney Karen A. Brako and Thomas D. Allison, whose ballot designation is, “Attorney/Legal Professor.”
Other Challenged Judges
Two judges, in addition to Garnett, are being challenged. They are Carol Elswick, targeted by former Carson Mayor Albert Robles, and David Gelfound, whose rival is Deputy Public Defender Lloyd Handler.
Robles said on Friday that he would not go through with the challenge, but on Monday filed his papers. Elswick told the METNEWS:
“I am disappointed Mr. Robles changed his mind. I am grateful to have the support of court leadership, my colleagues and friends. I fully expect to successfully defend my seat.”
As of press time yesterday, the only judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court who took out nominating papers but has neither filed them nor indicated an intention of doing so by Friday is Debra Archuleta. If she does not file the petition, there will be a five-day extension during which others—but not she—may file for the seat she occupies, Office No. 153.
Ballot Designations
In turning in his papers yesterday, Quiñones chose the ballot designation of “Deputy District Attorney IV, County of Los Angeles.” The question is raised for the first time as to whether Election Code §13107 which governs designations—and was amended effective Jan. 1, 2019 as it pertains to judicial elections—contemplates a deputy district attorney including his or her “grade.”
It provides that “[f]or a candidate for judicial office who is an active member of the State Bar employed by a…county…, the designation shall appear as one of the following: [¶] (A) Words designating the actual job title, as defined by statute, charter, or other governing instrument.”
The statute also says:
“If the candidate is an official or employee of a county, the name of the county shall appear preceded by the words “County of.”
Two candidates—Hare and Deputy District Attorney Fernanda Maria Barreto used “County of LA” rather than “County of Los Angeles” raising the question of whether the name of the county may be abbreviated.
Copyright 2022, Metropolitan News Company