Justin Allen Clayton, a 14-year public defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 65. The nonpartisan race appears on the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election ballot.
Clayton faces one other candidate, Anna Slotky Reitano, also running as nonpartisan, according to BallotReady election data.
Candidate information
- Name: Justin Allen Clayton
- Race: Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 65
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
- Education: High school diploma, Palisades Charter High School; bachelor's degree, University of New Mexico (2006); juris doctor, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- Law license: Licensed to practice law in California since 2012, according to the Metropolitan News-Enterprise
- Endorsement: Los Angeles County Democrats
Experience and public service
Clayton has spent 14 years as a public defender with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, according to LA Progressive. He holds the title of Deputy in Charge, a supervisory role within the office.
Clayton grew up in South Central Los Angeles, according to his Ballotpedia candidate response. His mother had him bused to Pacific Palisades for high school because it offered better academic programs, more financial resources and a safer learning environment, Clayton said in his Ballotpedia candidate questionnaire.
On the issues
Clayton's specific policy positions, judicial philosophy and priorities for the bench were not available in the materials reviewed for this profile.
Candidate profile information was drawn from Ballotpedia candidate responses, BallotReady election data, the Metropolitan News-Enterprise and LA Progressive. Statements attributed to the candidate reflect his own responses and claims.
