L.A. Times electoral endorsements for 2024 March primary

Office No. 12: Lynn Diane Olson
Olson is an even-tempered judge who demonstrated that she knows how to manage a courtroom. The challenger has offered poor justification for challenging Olson for reelection.

Office No. 39: Steve Napolitano
Napolitano is a Manhattan Beach council member and an attorney who serves as an administrative law judge and represents prison inmates in their parole hearings. His breadth of experience would make him an asset to the Superior Court.

Office No. 48: Ericka J. Wiley
Wiley, a deputy public defender, is a standout. She has handled capital murder and other special circumstances cases, and served as a supervisor in the Bellflower courthouse. Her demeanor is calm but commands respect, and makes her well-suited to the bench.

Office No. 93: Victor Avila
Avila, a deputy district attorney, is running unopposed. He is a well-regarded prosecutor and is likely to be a good judge.

Office No. 97: Sharon Ransom
Judges and defense lawyers note Ransom’s unflappable manner in seeking resolution of cases in the District Attorney’s mental health unit, and previously in prosecuting elder abuse and child molestation.

Office No. 115: Christmas Brookens
Brookens, a deputy district attorney, is particularly impressive when discussing the role of victims in criminal cases, displaying a depth of thought and analysis that would likely make her excel on the bench.

Office No. 124: Kimberly Repecka
Repecka is a capable and well-regarded deputy public defender. She is challenging incumbent Judge Emily Theresa Spear, who was publicly admonished by the Commission on Judicial Performance in 2023.

Office No. 130: Leslie Gutierrez
She has a reputation as an ethical and hard-working deputy district attorney and is a skilled trial lawyer. She would make an outstanding judge.

Office No. 135: Steven Yee Mac
Mac is a deputy district attorney and also a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, serving as a legal advisor to the Army. He earns high praise for his work as a trial lawyer.

Office No. 137: Tracey M. Blount
Blount represents Los Angeles County in Dependency Court, where judges must decide whether to remove children from their homes because of abuse or neglect, and then work with all the parties involved to eventually reunify the families.

Office No. 12: Lynn Diane Olson
Olson is an even-tempered judge who demonstrated that she knows how to manage a courtroom. The challenger has offered poor justification for challenging Olson for reelection.

Office No. 39: Steve Napolitano
Napolitano is a Manhattan Beach council member and an attorney who serves as an administrative law judge and represents prison inmates in their parole hearings. His breadth of experience would make him an asset to the Superior Court.

Office No. 48: Ericka J. Wiley
Wiley, a deputy public defender, is a standout. She has handled capital murder and other special circumstances cases, and served as a supervisor in the Bellflower courthouse. Her demeanor is calm but commands respect, and makes her well-suited to the bench.

Office No. 93: Victor Avila
Avila, a deputy district attorney, is running unopposed. He is a well-regarded prosecutor and is likely to be a good judge.

Office No. 97: Sharon Ransom
Judges and defense lawyers note Ransom’s unflappable manner in seeking resolution of cases in the District Attorney’s mental health unit, and previously in prosecuting elder abuse and child molestation.

Office No. 115: Christmas Brookens
Brookens, a deputy district attorney, is particularly impressive when discussing the role of victims in criminal cases, displaying a depth of thought and analysis that would likely make her excel on the bench.

Office No. 124: Kimberly Repecka
Repecka is a capable and well-regarded deputy public defender. She is challenging incumbent Judge Emily Theresa Spear, who was publicly admonished by the Commission on Judicial Performance in 2023.

Office No. 130: Leslie Gutierrez
She has a reputation as an ethical and hard-working deputy district attorney and is a skilled trial lawyer. She would make an outstanding judge.

Office No. 135: Steven Yee Mac
Mac is a deputy district attorney and also a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, serving as a legal advisor to the Army. He earns high praise for his work as a trial lawyer.

Office No. 137: Tracey M. Blount
Blount represents Los Angeles County in Dependency Court, where judges must decide whether to remove children from their homes because of abuse or neglect, and then work with all the parties involved to eventually reunify the families.