Donna Tryfman advances to November after topping Los Angeles Superior Court judge primary

Donna Tryfman, a veteran Los Angeles County deputy public defender, finished first in the primary for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Seat 131, with 37% of the vote and moves on to the November general election. Her campaign is backed by labor groups, prosecutors, elected officials, Democratic clubs, community organizations and multiple editorial boards.

Why it matters: - Tryfman’s first-place finish puts a longtime public defender in position to compete for a Los Angeles Superior Court bench seat in November. - The result highlights voter support for a candidate running on courtroom experience, judicial temperament and public-service credentials. - The campaign’s broad endorsement list signals unusual cross-constituency backing in a judicial race.

What happened: - Donna Tryfman finished first in the primary election for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Seat 131, with 37% of the vote in a four-candidate race. - Tryfman advances to the November general election. - Tryfman has spent more than 30 years as a Los Angeles County deputy public defender.

The details: - Tryfman currently handles special-circumstance homicide matters in the Major Cases Unit. - Her legal career includes more than 100 trials. - Tryfman has served as a Temporary Judge. - Tryfman led the Public Defenders Association as president. - Tryfman supervised juvenile court attorneys. - Tryfman served as a proctor in Teen Court. - Tryfman also served as a Beverly Hills Rent Stabilization Commissioner. - Tryfman said the campaign has brought together people and organizations with different backgrounds and perspectives. - Tryfman said judges should be selected based on experience, fairness, temperament and a commitment to public service. - Tryfman said she is running to be “everyone’s judge.” - Supporters point to Tryfman’s experience, leadership, community service and life experience. - Tryfman is a widow, single mother and daughter of immigrants.

Between the lines: - The endorsement list spans labor, law enforcement-adjacent prosecutors, Democratic clubs, legal groups, community advocates and editorial boards, suggesting the campaign is trying to appeal beyond one political lane. - Endorsement support from Troy Slaten, who ran against Tryfman and now serves as an administrative law judge for the State of California, adds an intra-race seal of approval. - The campaign is framing the contest as a qualifications test, not a partisan fight.

What's next: - Tryfman will continue campaigning toward the November general election. - Her message will stay centered on qualifications, fairness, integrity and independence. - Voters will decide whether Tryfman’s experience and coalition of support translate into a general-election win.

The bottom line: - Donna Tryfman enters November as the primary front-runner, backed by a wide coalition and a résumé built on decades in criminal defense and courtroom leadership.