Judicial elections usually fly right under the radar. Most voters skip past them entirely, staring at a wall of unfamiliar names on their ballot and guessing blindly. But ignoring these races means handing over immense local power to people you know nothing about. Take the contest for the Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Office 87. It's a prime example of a race where two very different legal backgrounds collide, and your vote genuinely shapes how justice operates in Southern California.
If you're wondering who is actually on the ballot and what sets them apart, let's break down the matchup between Anthony "A.J." Bayne and David DeJute.
How the Office 87 Race Got Here
Back in the June 2 primary, three candidates threw their hats into the ring for this open seat. Anthony Bayne led the pack with 42 percent of the vote, followed by David DeJute with roughly 31 percent, and Sharee Sanders Gordon trailing in third. Because nobody crossed the 50 percent threshold outright, the top two contenders advanced to the November 3 general election.
Now, voters face a classic professional split: a career public defender versus a federal prosecutor turned civil litigator and law professor.
Meet the Candidates
Understanding a judicial candidate means looking past the campaign slogans and examining their actual courtroom mileage.
Anthony "A.J." Bayne brings decades of public defense work to the table. He has spent more than thirty years in the legal field, with a heavy emphasis on trial work and navigating the trenches of the local criminal justice system. The Los Angeles County Bar Association rated him "Well Qualified," making him the only candidate in this specific runoff to earn that top tier evaluation from the local bar. His supporters point to his deep familiarity with courtroom mechanics and his extensive trial record as key assets for a bench officer.
David DeJute counters with a diverse resume that spans federal prosecution, private civil practice, and academia. After clerking for a federal judge, DeJute spent over a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney and later worked in complex civil litigation. He also teaches at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, where he directs a disaster relief clinic. The bar association evaluated him as "Qualified," and he has picked up backing from various elected officials and the county Democratic Party.
Cutting Through the Noise
Judicial races are technically nonpartisan, meaning political party labels don't show up next to the candidates' names on your voting packet. Yet, endorsements and funding sources often tell a story about where each candidate's support base lies. DeJute has leaned into backing from Democratic Party organizations and prominent local politicians. Bayne has drawn support from various legal figures and community organizations that emphasize hands-on trial experience.
When you're staring down this section of your ballot, the core question isn't about catchy political talking points. It's about what kind of professional lens you want presiding over local disputes. Do you favor decades of defense-side trial grit, or do you prefer a blend of federal prosecution, civil practice, and legal instruction?
Take a close look at your voter guide, weigh their credentials, and make your choice before dropping your ballot in the mail or heading to a local vote center.
