Judge Patrick Connolly seeks reelection to LA County bench

Patrick Connolly is running for reelection to his Los Angeles County Superior Court seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race appears on ballots across the county, including in Santa Monica.

Connolly, who has served on the Superior Court bench since 2008, according to Ballotpedia, said on his campaign website that he is registered as an independent because he believes a judge should represent everyone "fairly, impartially, and without bias."

Candidate information

Hometown: Raised in Cypress, California
Education: Bachelor of arts in sociology with a minor in business administration, University of San Diego (1988); juris doctor, University of San Diego School of Law (1991)
Bar admission: California, June 1992

Experience and public service

Before joining the bench, Connolly served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, according to Ballotpedia. He said on his campaign website that he worked as a homicide and gang prosecutor, trying what he described as only the most violent cases.

He joined the bench in 2008. Connolly said he has served as presiding judge of the Master Calendar and Community Collaborative Court at the Compton Courthouse.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Connolly described himself as "an independent and principled judge who applies the law fairly, runs a disciplined courtroom, and gives every case careful attention," according to his Ballotpedia questionnaire response. He said his career has been defined by accountability, public safety and respect for the law.

Judicial discipline record

The California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished Connolly on March 23, 2016, finding he engaged in conduct reflecting embroilment and abuse of authority involving a criminal defense attorney, according to the commission's published decision. The commission found improper ex parte communications and exclusion of the attorney from a hearing.

In 2010, Connolly received a private admonishment from the same commission for his use of profanity in a judicial profile interview and in chambers discussions with attorneys, according to the commission's 2016 document.

Endorsements

Connolly has received endorsements from law enforcement groups and a labor union, according to his Ballotpedia page and a CityWatch LA interview. The Los Angeles County Bar Association rated him "Well Qualified," according to CityWatch LA.