Mazel Tov to Ben Forer — Los Angeles Has a New Judge!

What an election night for Los Angeles! Amid one of the most closely watched primary seasons in California history, we have some very exciting local news to celebrate: Ben Forer appears to be headed to the bench — and the LA Jewish community couldn’t be more proud.

Ben is a 20-year Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, a USC professor of Cyber Law & Privacy, and a published author of legal textbooks on cybercrime and digital privacy. He is also an ordained rabbi and a proud member of our community. His election to the Los Angeles Superior Court is a genuine milestone — a reflection of years of dedicated public service and an unwavering commitment to justice.

The Bigger Picture: A Wild Election Night in LA

The June 2nd primary delivered plenty of drama beyond the courthouse. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass secured her spot on the November ballot, with Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt running in second place — a result that raised more than a few eyebrows across the city. The LA County District Attorney’s race is heading to a runoff, with incumbent Nathan Hochman and challenger Gil Cisneros advancing to November.

Up in Sacramento, the race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom is heading to a November showdown that nobody could have predicted. With more than half the votes counted, Republican Steve Hilton opened a surprising lead, with Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond fighting for the second spot on the general election ballot. The outcome remains fluid, but the early numbers have California political observers buzzing.

It’s going to be a long road to November, but for now, the LA Jewish community has every reason to celebrate. Congratulations again to Ben Forer. May he serve with wisdom, fairness, and integrity.