Robert Mestman, a senior assistant district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney's Office, is running for Orange County Superior Court Judge, Office 13, on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. He faces Ann Cho in the nonpartisan race.

Mestman said he is motivated by a commitment to fairness in the courtroom. "We need to make sure constitutional rights and due process are followed, because there needs to be integrity in the system," Mestman said in a candidate questionnaire published by the Orange County Register.

Candidate information

  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, Northwestern University (1991); juris doctor, cum laude (per candidate response), Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (2000); master of business administration, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (2000)

Experience and public service

Mestman began his career as a legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate, working for Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alan Cranston from 1991 to 1995, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

He served as a deputy district attorney in Santa Clara County from 2001 to 2004 and in Santa Barbara County from 2004 to 2006 before joining the Orange County District Attorney's Office in 2006 as a senior assistant district attorney. Mestman said he also served as a special assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mestman said he has conducted nearly 80 jury trials to verdict, handling cases including homicides, gang crimes, sexual assaults, elder abuse and fraud. He said he served on the Orange County District Attorney's executive management team, overseeing six prosecution units covering felony trials, DNA/technology and professional responsibility.

Mestman said he formed and supervised Orange County's first Conviction Integrity Unit. The unit evaluates claims of wrongful conviction and factual innocence.

The California District Attorneys Association named Mestman its Instructor of the Year on July 9, 2015, at its summer conference in Napa, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Endorsements

Mestman has received endorsements from elected officials and a "Well Qualified" rating from the Orange County Bar Association, according to the Orange County Register and BallotReady:

  • Orange County Register Editorial Board
  • Kelly Seyarto, California State Senate
  • Mike Levin, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Lou Correa, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Orange County Bar Association (Well Qualified rating)
  • California - Orange County Democrats

Candidate statements in this profile are from questionnaire responses published by the Orange County Register and reflect Mestman's own claims about his record.