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Challenge to Garnett Is Official; Kaddo Is Not Opposed
By a MetNews Staff Writer
There is, as of Friday, officially an election challenge to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, with incumbent Sherilyn Peace Garnett filing her nominating papers, as her challenger, a cut-rate bankruptcy attorney did on Thursday—but another judge who faced the prospect of opposition, James Kaddo, will not have a rival in the June 7 primary, it has been learned.
Garnett’s opponent is Frank Amador, who lacks prominence in the legal community and whose mailing address is that of Mail Service Center in West Hollywood which rents post boxes. He also utilizes space at the Titan Offices-Penthouse in downtown Los Angeles which advertises that “you can rent by the hour, day, week, month, year or years.”
The judge does face a possible challenge from a monied and accomplished attorney, Timothy Reuben who took out nominating papers for her office, No. 3, as well as that of Kaddo, No. 141. Reuben declared yesterday that in light of Kaddo having filed his papers, he won’t be in the race for his office.
Garnett’s Circumstance
But Garnett is another matter. She has been nominated by President Joseph Biden for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and the prospect looms of her being confirmed before the primary, though it is unlikely the Senate would act with such speed.
Reuben has not decided whether to seek Office No. 3.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 16 held a hearing on the nomination, at which there was a lack of hard-ball questioning. The committee has not reported favorably or unfavorably on the nomination. Amador has been unavailable for comment other than to insist that Garnett will be confirmed. The judge has also been mum.
Three Other Judges
Three other judges face possible challenges.
Deputy Public Defender Lloyd E. Handler has taken out a nominating petition for Office No. 41, held by Judge David B. Gelfound, but has not filed it, as of press time Friday. Gelfound filed his papers on Friday.
Long Beach Assistant City Prosecutor Randy Fudge has taken out nominating petitions for two seats, one of them an open seat and the other, Office No. 152, occupied by Judge Gloria L. White-Brown.
“I have received numerous pledges of support from my colleagues,” the judge said Friday, adding:
“I have also received offers of support from numerous organizations.”
Former Carson Mayor Albert Robles is readying to do battle with Judge Carol Elswick. The challenger and incumbent has each picked up a nominating petition but not filed it.
In the races for open seats, several would-be candidates are waiting to see what offices are sought by others. Those who have filed nominating petitions, listed with their ballot designations and office numbers, are:
Thomas D. Allison, Attorney/Legal Professor, Office No. 151;
Leslie Gutierrez, Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, Office No. 90;
Melissa Hammond, Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, Office No. 118;
Georgia Huerta, Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, Office No. 118;
Naser (Nas) Khoury, Attorney at Law, Office No. 90.
Anna Slotky Reitano, Deputy Public Defender, County of Los Angeles, Office No. 60.
Copyright 2022, Metropolitan News Company