Los Angeles County · Statewide General Election
Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 65 — Los Angeles County
Draft candidate list — early preview until the state’s official list publishes on August 27, 2026.
On the ballot
- Justin Allen Clayton
- Anna Slotky Reitano
This person holds a countywide seat on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the state trial court (6-year term).
Headed to a November 3 runoff: Deputy Public Defender Justin Clayton (36.7%) vs. Deputy County Counsel Anna Slotky Reitano (29.9%). Unusually, both finalists come from the defense side of the courtroom.
The winner serves a six-year term on the county's trial bench, assigned anywhere from criminal and civil to family and probate court. Trial judges rule alone — their decisions are checked mainly on appeal — so the person matters more than in almost any other down-ballot office.
Justin Allen Clayton
Deputy Public Defender, rated Qualified like all four June candidates. Even guides that endorsed his rival called him strong. An unusually low-drama candidacy.
Anna Slotky Reitano
Deputy County Counsel in the Justice and Safety Division, with more than a decade as a public defender before that. She ran in 2022 on the La Defensa-backed 'Defenders of Justice' slate. Her judicial philosophy — reform-minded on bail and incarceration — is openly stated.
Strengths
Experience on both the defense and county-government sides of the courtroom.
Trade-offs
Slate-backed candidacies invite the same scrutiny as any coalition's picks — read the slate's agenda too.
Keep in mind
Her 2022 run tells you where she stands; vote accordingly, whichever way that cuts for you.
June 2 primary — how they advanced
Source review: Strong (88/100) · 6 cited sources
Official records anchor this contest, with several source types checked for context; advocacy or endorsement sources are treated as attributed perspective.
Review note: Knock LA may have more bias because it is an advocacy voter guide compared to other formal government and nonprofit journalism sources.
- results.lavote.gov (opens in a new tab)LA County RR/CC — Certified results, June 2, 2026 primary (certified 2026-06-26)
- content.lavote.gov (opens in a new tab)LA County RR/CC — Offices Scheduled for Election, November 3, 2026 (6/26/26)
- laist.com (opens in a new tab)LAist — LA County judicial races guide (LACBA ratings, ballot designations)
- lacba.org (opens in a new tab)LA County Bar Association — 2026 Judicial Candidate Evaluations
- knock-la.com (opens in a new tab)Knock LA — June 2026 judicial voter guide
- campaignfinance.lacounty.gov (opens in a new tab)LA County campaign-finance disclosure (Registrar-Recorder / NetFile)
Last updated August 7, 2026.