Placer voters should reject outside influence in judicial race

Who should choose Placer County judges? The California Constitution is pretty clear – if a vacancy occurs before an election, the governor makes a temporary appointment until the next election. Temporary. Then, local voters get to choose the judge. Unfortunately, dozens of judges from around California and a Political Action Committee sponsored by the California Judges Association believe they know what's best for Placer County (who knew that supposedly impartial, non-political judges needed or had a Political Action Committee?). They don't. Collectively, these out-of-county judges have poured more than $100,000 into the campaign account of recently appointed Judge Leon Dixson, chosen by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Political Action Committee gave a whopping $45,000 in one contribution. You read that right – one contribution, $45,000. These out-of-county contributions represent more than 80 percent of the money in disclosed contributions to Dixson. When you see the judge's mailers, signs or electronic billboards, know that it's outsiders that are trying to sway your vote – not your neighbors or those invested in Placer County. Ironically, every judge takes an oath to "support and defend" the Constitution of the State of California – yet those same judges are trying to undermine the constitutional process for Placer voters to choose Placer County judges. The out-of-town judges believe they, not you, know better and that their voice should ring louder than voters. Why else would judges from Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco be systemically contributing to an appointed judge in Placer County? They fundamentally believe voters should not choose judges, despite what the California Constitution says. Circle the wagons to protect any appointed judge because a challenge to one judge could lead to challenges of others. The other candidate for Placer County judge is David Bass, a prosecutor currently serving the people of California as a deputy district attorney in Sacramento. A veteran, Bass has also served as a deputy state attorney general, a deputy district attorney in Placer County, and in a private law practice. Bass also is a well-known volunteer in his community with a history of serving as a youth sports coach, on the board of the Rocklin Police Activities League and elected twice to the Rocklin City Council. The council selected him to serve as mayor for 2026. Bass has drawn his financial support largely from Placer County and has the backing of virtually every leader in law enforcement: Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire, Sheriff Wayne Woo, the Placer Prosecutors Association, the Deputy Sheriffs' Association, the Roseville Police Officers Association, the Rocklin Police Officers Association and, importantly, the association representing court clerks and court reporters in the courthouse. Crime Victims United, the leading advocacy group for crime victims, Asian Americans for Good Governance, and all five Placer County Supervisors support Bass as well. Unlike judges from San Diego and Los Angeles and those running the California Judges Association's Political Action Committee, Bass' backers actually spend time in Placer County courtrooms and witness what is going right – and wrong. They have concluded that Deputy District Attorney David Bass is the best choice for Placer County judge. Voters, don't fall for the propaganda from people outside Placer County who want to send a simple message: NEVER challenge a sitting judge or, if you do, we'll overwhelm you with money. Vote for David Bass, the locally backed candidate who has earned the support of Placer County leaders and has a proven track record of serving our community. Trent Jewell is a retired Rocklin Police Department captain.