Wednesday, June 10, 2026
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Draper Loses Post, Connolly in Neck-and-Neck Battle
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert S. Draper has lost his bid for reelection to his post and another challenged member of that court, Pat Connolly, appears to be in jeopardy of a similar fate.
According to the latest returns as of mid-afternoon yesterday, Draper, with 740,415 cast in his favor, had 43.18% of the vote while his challenger, Deputy District Attorney Tal K. Valbuena, with 974,217 votes, had 56.82%.
Connolly, who appeared on election night to have prevailed, maintained only a slight lead according to returns posted by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office on Tuesday. Connolly, with 832,278 votes, had fallen to a position of being ahead but with only 50.50% of the votes.
The judge had 832,278 votes and Deputy District Attorney Paul A. Thompson had 815,695 votes.
Draper is facing Commission on Judicial Performance disciplinary proceedings that could lead to his removal from office and Connolly has received three admonishments from that body.
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