LA Deputy DA leads in race against incumbent LA judge investigated by CJP and facing potential discipline

 

Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Tal Valbuena challenged incumbent LA Judge Robert Draper who was investigated and facing discipline from the California Commission on Judicial Performance. I checked the Los Angeles County election website.

Earlier this evening, I was contacted by a few attorneys I know in LA who said there are still many votes left to be counted. One of them more politically involved thinks, "Draper is going down."

6/10/26: Draper has 43.18%;  Valbuena 56.82%.

Draper lost the election.

Commission on Judicial Performance August 12 and 19, 2026 press releases: