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WESTSIDE - With a unique and diverse background in the law, public service, media and journalism, David Ross finds himself in a very competitive campaign after a strong second place finish in the June 2nd Primary against fellow public defender Donna Tryfman.
Ross, who previously worked as a congressional staffer to former Congressman Floyd Fithian (D) of Indiana, also was a television news reporter who interviewed former US Senator and Vice-President Al Gore (D) as well as extensively covering the 1988 presidential campaign of Kansas Senator Bob Dole (R), who would lose that nomination fight to Vice-President George HW Bush.
But primaries narrow the field, and runoffs select the eventual winner, and this is not halftime, but a whole new contest for both candidates.
With the race more refined with just two hopefuls, Ross was looking forward to the fall campaign.
"I'm doing something every day," noted Ross, who stressed that he wants to know what's on the mind of the voter in this non-partisan and peculiar political process of directly electing judges here in Los Angeles.
"I want to know what's important to them. I'm always engaging."
According to Transparency USA, Ross has campaign expenditures of $36,183, raised $29,978 and has $41,208.18 in cash on hand.
The Long Beach resident is married, and he and his wife Lisa Gold have an adult son who is an accomplished jazz pianist and high school teacher. A graduate of Beverly Hills High School, Ross earned a BA from the University of California-Davis and his JD from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law where he graduated at the top of his class.
Rated "Qualified" by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Ross has previously served as an adjunct professor and has the endorsement of 84 judges as well as former Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.
We spoke on the phone earlier this week and here is the full context of our Q&A:
So, this is probably one of the more competitive judicial races on the ballot come November. What is your message to voters moving forward?
I believe the race started over anew the day after the Primary. Each of the top two candidates received one-third of the vote, so people need to learn what distinguishes me from Ms. Tryfman. I'm running to be an independent judge who people trust to have the work ethic, honesty and proven judicial temperament we need during these divisive times. I first thought about being a judge in November 2016 when I was a volunteer for the Hillary Clinton campaign, on the ground in Las Vegas going door-to-door. I woke up after the election with the sober reality that Donald Trump, the new president, would appoint activist judges. I was correct then, and that trajectory has not changed. I'm a former TV news journalist and documentary producer so I have the training to ask the right questions, listen to all sides, and come to an objective and independent conclusion. I've been a deputy public defender for 31 years, done 113 jury trials to verdict, and represented more than 10,000 indigent people. These are the kind of people who are three to five times more likely to be arrested, thrown in jail, and charged with a crime. I often am the only person in their corner, ensuring their due process rights and fair representation. I offer the kind of combined legal and life experience that no one else in this race possesses. When people vote for me they will be electing a judge who listens, is fair and independent, and yet humble and honored to be a public servant.
Name three policy initiatives you would implement in your courtroom if you were successful?
It's important to stress that Superior Court judges do not set or create "policies." They manage public courtrooms where civil and criminal matters are heard by independent, non-partisan judges who vow to follow the law, not create new law. I've been a deputy public defender for the past 31 years in both Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, so I am intimately familiar with large court systems and heavy caseloads. I had a prior 10-year career as a TV news reporter and documentary producer before turning to the law. I covered Congress for PBS, learning how laws are made and how government effects people's lives. I've covered crime, business and agriculture in Tennessee, and chased tornadoes in Kansas. I learned how to listen to people, gather the facts, and be objective and unbiased. I will bring that combined legal-and-life experience to the Bench. Most importantly, I would expect and require all parties to be prepared and on-time. There's nothing more frustrating to litigants and the public than the image of people in court waiting around for something to happen. I will be prepared for my calendar, and I expect all parties to do the same. Second, both criminal and civil dockets are clogged with hundreds if not thousands of older cases. My experience has taught me the skill of moving cases along. I will prioritize the oldest cases, bring the parties together, cut through the red tape, and foster the closure that all parties seek. Typically, one party will prevail while the other litigant losses. But at least everyone will leave the courtroom knowing their voice was heard. Finally, I won't just be an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. judge. I will be out in the public -- speaking to civic groups, high schools and universities, bar associations and business organizations about the judicial system. I've been doing this everyday during my campaign, because I want to learn what's important to the Community. I will continue this outreach when I become a judge because it's important for people to be informed and trust the judicial system.
What is your take on the entire jury selection process? Would you favor a permanent, volunteer list of willing residents to serve in a county of 10 million people?
Our jury system, even with its flaws, is the best in the world. We are the envy of scores of countries where there are no juries at all, and in some repressive nations where people don't enjoy the presumption of innocence. I've picked juries for 113 cases, from murders to petty theft, so I understand the tremendous sacrifice jurors make to serve. I will be sensitive to their needs, and yet still ensure that all parties try their cases before a jury of their peers. However, I do not favor a permanent volunteer list of willing residents. We do not need professional jurors. We are better off when there is a constant stream of new potential jurors who are properly vetted by the court and the attorneys to ensure a fair and unbiased panel. We can always do better in educating the public about the incredible value of serving on a panel, civil or ciminal, where the parties litigate the facts, and the jury applies the law to come to their verdict.
Would you support an increase in compensation of $15 per day for jury service?
Yes, in theory it may help entice people to be more open about serving, and not ignore the summons. Our incredible system will grind to a halt if people do not heed the call to serve. It seems like this $15 amount is from a bygone era. But that decision is a one of policy or legislation, and not for any individual judge to decide.
You did receive the endorsement of primary rival Carlos Dammeir. How will you leverage that support and speak to any significant endorsements you have, and what is your approach to voter contact?
Yes, I have already reached out to Carlos' supporters and plan to engage them in my campaign. I love pounding the pavement on weekends, going to any event or gathering where I can meet all types of voters and ask what is important to them. My campaign does indeed have a targeted plan of outreach which will be layed out in the coming months. It will involve numerous personal appearances, and targeted voter outreach through social media and advertising. Further, I have hundreds of supporters who constantly reach out to their personal, professional and social networks to spread the word about my campaign. You will see a lot of me on the campaign trail this Fall.
What are three things you want voters to know about you and why they should vote for you?
That I will be the judge who Listens to all parties, so that even when one side loses they will walk out of court knowing the judge heard them out. That I possess the work ethic, honesty and proven judicial temperament to sit on the Bench. I am currently endorsed by 84 judges from San Diego County to Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County; more than 20 Democratic Clubs including the East Area Progressive Democrats, the West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club, and the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats; more than 20 local unions including electrical workers, postal workers, dock workers, engineers, and Hollywood trades; and more than 100 local elected officials, public defenders and prosecutors. Why? Because they know I am true to my word, they've seen me in court, and they trust I will be the kind of judge they want to appear in front of. And, that I am humble enough to change my mind when convinced, admit my mistakes, and always learn to be a better person, attorney and judge.
Is justice being fairly adjudicated in Los Angeles? What can you do to ensure greater confidence in the judicial system?
This is a very subjective question, which depends as much upon who asks the question as who answers it. Los Angeles is served by many dedicated and conscientious judges who work hard under challenging circumstances. At the same time, public confidence in the justice system must continually be earned through fairness, impartiality, and transparency. During my more than 31 years as a deputy public defender, I have seen the justice system at its best and have also seen how important it is for every person to feel that they have been heard and treated with dignity and respect. If elected, I would do my part to strengthen confidence in our courts by listening carefully, treating every litigant with courtesy and patience, applying the law faithfully, and explaining my decisions clearly. Regardless of the outcome of a case, people should leave the courtroom knowing they were treated fairly and that the decision was based on the law and the facts.
Do you have a preference in assignment of cases (civil or criminal), and courthouse location?
Of course I do. But the Presiding Judge makes the assignments. I expect, with my 31 years of criminal defense background, I will start in a criminal assignment. But many of my judicial friends and mentors know of my desire to always learn and grow, so I've made it known that I would be interested in Family Law, Civil, Probate, and Dependency assignments, just to name a few. Long Beach is home, however I have worked in Bellflower, Norwalk, Pomona, Compton, Torrance and Downtown Los Angeles.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of the Westside and a regular contributor to City Watch LA. He is currently covering the numerous judicial races on the general ellection runoff ballot. Have a take or a tip? Contact him online at [email protected].)
