Tal K. Valbuena, a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge (Draper Seat) in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The nonpartisan seat covers cases across Los Angeles County, which includes Santa Monica. Superior Court judges hear criminal, civil, family and probate matters. Valbuena is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.
Candidate information
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Education: High school diploma, Adamjee Government Science College (1999); bachelor's degree, Indiana University (2005); J.D., George Washington University (2011)
- Residence context: Valbuena is a gay Muslim and refugee from Pakistan who immigrated to the United States at age 18, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Experience and public service
Valbuena has served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office since 2016, according to BallotReady. He previously worked as a deputy district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney's Office from 2015 to 2016.
He serves as a commissioner on the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission, according to the commission's official biography. He was nominated to the commission by the district attorney and appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Valbuena has also served as an adjunct professor at International American University since 2018, according to BallotReady.
On the issues
Mental health justice: Valbuena said he serves in Hollywood mental health court, where he seeks court intervention in conserving and rehabilitating the county's most violent mentally ill offenders. He described himself as passionate about victims and LGBTQ+ rights, according to his response on the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission website.
He considers the work his calling.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Valbuena is expected to be the first gay person of color elected to the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Endorsements
Valbuena has received endorsements from the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and the Los Angeles County Democrats, according to the endorsing organizations and BallotReady.
Candidate issue positions are drawn from Valbuena's response on the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission website. Voters can find more information through BallotReady and the endorsing organizations listed above.
