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The Decarceral Bench: 17 Key Endorsements That Powered George A. Turner Jr.'s Historic LA Superior Court Victory

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The election of George A. Turner Jr. to the Los Angeles County Superior Court bench for Seat 39 marked a significant victory for the criminal justice reform movement in California. As of late December 2025, Judge Turner has been serving on the bench for nearly a year, having assumed office on January 6, 2025, following his successful campaign in the March 2024 primary. His transition from a career as a dedicated public defender to a Superior Court Judge was not just a personal achievement; it was a powerful statement about the shifting priorities of the LA County electorate, driven by a broad and unified coalition of progressive, labor, and community organizations whose endorsements proved instrumental in his success.

Turner’s campaign was a direct challenge to the traditional path to the bench, which historically favored candidates with a background as prosecutors. His victory, alongside other like-minded candidates, represented the rise of the "Decarceral Judges" movement, an effort to bring a deeper understanding of systemic inequities and a commitment to alternatives to incarceration into the judiciary. This article provides an in-depth look at the biography of Judge Turner and the diverse, powerful endorsements that fueled his historic run.

George A. Turner Jr. Biography and Judicial Career Overview

George A. Turner Jr. is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles County, born and raised in the city of Inglewood. His deep roots in the community have informed his professional career and judicial philosophy, positioning him as a judge intimately familiar with the diverse populations and complex issues facing LA County.

  • Full Name: George A. Turner Jr.
  • Hometown: Inglewood, California
  • Current Office: Judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Seat 39
  • Date Assumed Office: January 6, 2025
  • Prior Occupation: Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County (for 16 years)
  • Campaign Office Sought: Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office No. 39
  • Family: Proud husband and father.
  • Judicial Stance: Known for his commitment to criminal justice reform, equity, and a deep understanding of the failures of the criminal legal system.

Before his election, Turner spent 16 years as a trial attorney for the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. This extensive experience on the defense side of the courtroom gave him a unique perspective, providing him with a "deep understanding of the failures of our criminal legal system and how unfairly it treats people." His campaign centered on the promise to bring fairness, equity, and a commitment to reducing mass incarceration to the bench.

The Progressive Coalition: 17+ Key Endorsements That Secured the Bench

The success of George A. Turner Jr.'s campaign for Superior Court Judge was not accidental; it was the result of a coordinated effort by a broad spectrum of influential organizations. These endorsements provided crucial financial support, volunteer manpower, and voter education to a judicial race that often goes unnoticed by the general public. Below is a comprehensive list of the key endorsements and organizational support that propelled Turner to victory, demonstrating the depth of his topical authority in the justice reform space.

Major Labor and Service Organizations:

Labor union support is a powerful engine in LA County politics, and Turner secured the backing of one of the most influential:

  • SEIU 721: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, representing over 95,000 public service workers in Southern California, was a cornerstone of his campaign. This endorsement signals strong support from the organized labor community, providing resources and get-out-the-vote efforts.
  • Other Labor Support: Turner also garnered support from a broader coalition of labor interests, including many other local unions and federations aligned with progressive judicial reform.

Leading Justice Reform and Progressive Organizations:

These groups specifically focus on judicial accountability and systemic change, making their endorsements critical to his progressive platform:

  • Courage California: Listed in their Progressive Voters Guide, this endorsement is vital for informing progressive voters on down-ballot races.
  • Initiate Justice Action (IJAction): A key organization focused on ending mass incarceration and building power for people impacted by the criminal justice system. Their support highlights Turner's commitment to decarceral justice.
  • LA Forward: A prominent progressive organizing group in Los Angeles that provides comprehensive voter guides and mobilizes volunteers for reform-minded candidates.
  • Black Women for Wellness Action Project (BWWAP): Through their influential "Be Judgy Guide," BWWAP recommended Turner, signaling strong support from key community and equity-focused organizations.
  • Afro-Democratic Alliance of Southern California (ADA SoCal): This organization focuses on promoting Democratic principles and judicial equity within the African-American community, where Turner has deep roots.
  • Decarceral Judges Movement: While not a single organization, Turner was a leading candidate in a broader movement to elect public defenders and civil rights attorneys to the bench, framing his campaign as essential for systemic change.

Democratic Clubs and Political Entities:

A wide array of Democratic clubs provided the grassroots support necessary for a successful county-wide judicial campaign:

  • Stonewall Democratic Club: A major LGBTQ+ political organization in Los Angeles, their endorsement is a powerful signal of support for equitable justice.
  • Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club: One of many local Democratic clubs that endorsed Turner, demonstrating broad geographic support across LA County.
  • LA County Democratic Party: Turner received significant backing from the county party apparatus and a vast network of its affiliated local clubs, which provided invaluable voter information and campaign infrastructure.

Community and Professional Support:

Beyond the major organizations, Turner’s professional background and community ties generated a powerful wave of individual endorsements:

  • Dozens of LA County Public Defenders: His colleagues, who witnessed his dedication firsthand, provided a crucial base of internal professional support.
  • Prominent Inglewood Community Leaders: Given his Inglewood roots, Turner was supported by a host of local elected officials, pastors, and community activists who vouched for his character and commitment to the area.
  • Attorneys and Legal Professionals: Many private and civil rights attorneys, recognizing his experience and integrity, publicly backed his transition to the bench.
  • League of Women Voters: While non-partisan, his inclusion and strong showing in the League's voter guide further legitimized his candidacy to a wide base of informed voters.

Decarceral Justice: Turner's Judicial Philosophy and Impact

Judge Turner's campaign was defined by a clear and progressive judicial philosophy, standing in stark contrast to the "tough on crime" rhetoric often associated with judicial races. His platform was built on the premise that the criminal justice system has relied too heavily on incarceration, leading to devastating community impacts and failing to enhance public safety.

His core philosophy revolves around several key principles that resonate strongly with the organizations that endorsed him:

Prioritizing Alternatives to Incarceration

Turner’s 16 years as a public defender gave him a front-row seat to the cycle of incarceration and recidivism. His judicial approach emphasizes alternatives to traditional jail and prison sentences, particularly for non-violent offenses. This includes a greater reliance on mental health diversion programs, drug rehabilitation courts, and restorative justice initiatives. The goal is to address the root causes of crime rather than simply punishing the symptoms, a core tenet of the progressive justice movement.

Equity in Sentencing and Bail Reform

A major focus of his campaign was addressing the systemic racial and socioeconomic disparities embedded in the legal system. Turner advocates for equitable sentencing practices and a fair bail system that does not penalize poverty. His background ensures he scrutinizes the impact of judicial decisions on marginalized communities, a key reason he received the endorsement of equity-focused groups like the Black Women for Wellness Action Project.

A Public Defender's Perspective on the Bench

The election of a career Public Defender like George A. Turner Jr. is significant because it shifts the balance of professional experience on the bench. Historically, the vast majority of judges in Los Angeles County were former prosecutors. Turner brings an essential counter-perspective, one that is hyper-aware of due process rights, the pressures on indigent defense, and the human cost of the criminal legal system. This professional background is the ultimate source of his topical authority on criminal defense and reform.

The coalition of endorsements—from SEIU 721's powerful labor base to the focused activism of Initiate Justice Action—demonstrates a unified progressive front in Los Angeles County. This coalition successfully mobilized around the belief that a judge’s role is not just to enforce laws, but to ensure justice is administered fairly, equitably, and with a focus on true public safety. Judge Turner's victory is a testament to the power of these combined endorsements and a signal that the era of decarceral justice is taking hold in one of the nation’s largest court systems.

george a turner jr endorsements
george a turner jr endorsements

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