Primary Election: The Race for County Judge
A summary of the MendocinoCoast.News questionnaire
MendocinoCoast.news sent the same set of written questions to both campaigns to help Mendocino County voters get to know the two candidates vying to serve as Superior Court Judge. The questionnaire focuses on judicial experience, approach to the work of the court, and the responsibilities of the bench. Judge Patrick M. Pekin returned his answers by the initial deadline. Attorney Colby J. Friend requested a short extension while on vacation and submitted his responses soon after.
The outcome will shape Mendocino County court operations, access to justice, and judicial culture through 2032.
Please visit MendocinoCoast.news to read the responses in full and view a side-by-side comparison.
The Candidates
Judge Patrick M. Pekin (Incumbent)
Background: Age 51, lives in Mendocino, elected 2020, practicing law since 2003
Experience: Extensive criminal defense background, presided over criminal, civil, family law, Behavioral Health Court, and Adult Drug Court
Community ties: Volunteer firefighter, ocean rescue team member, Mock Trial coach, Save Our Coast Court advocate
Endorsements: Every sitting and retired Mendocino County judge from last 15 years, DA, Public Defender, 4 county supervisors, law enforcement
Campaign spending: ~$3,000
Attorney Colby J. Friend (Challenger)
Background: Age 52, lives in Willits, practicing law since 2004
Experience: Family law practice, no judicial experience, diverse work history (construction, restaurants, business owner)
Community ties: Youth sports coach, community garden founder, theater participant, radio host, pro bono work
Endorsements: Declines attorney/judge endorsements on ethical grounds; seeks community-based endorsements
Campaign spending: Under $1,000 spent, up to $10,000 anticipated
Key Issues in the Race
Juror Shortage Crisis
Pekin’s view: County holds many jury trials; need for judicial districts; low turnout reflects civic disengagement
Friend’s view: Compensation is inadequate; expand juror pool; create voluntary recall list of individuals willing to serve as jurors; improve experience
Coast Courthouse Access
Pekin’s position: Deep Coast ties; commuted to Ukiah for years; supports technology solutions (remote interpreters, court reporters)
Friend’s position: Supports satellite courts in every district; compares county size to Jamaica/Hawaii; funding is the core issue
“California Governmental Code Section 69640 permits the County of Los Angeles to create superior court districts, but does not extend that same authority to any other county. It would be helpful to have judicial districts in Mendocino County, but that is a question for the California Legislature.” — Patrick Pekin
Public Access to Court Records
Pekin’s stance: Must follow California Rules of Court requiring in-person access; encourages working with court clerks
Friend’s stance: Strongly supports transparency; criticizes charging for digital copies; wants user-friendly searchable portals
Judicial Philosophy Differences
Pekin emphasizes:
Following law and facts regardless of personal belief
Experience with difficult cases (gang homicides, prison crimes)
Patience combined with firmness
Speaking in plain language to aid understanding
Friend emphasizes:
Court prioritizes process over truth too often
Every case deserves care and attention
Broader life experience informs empathy
Commitment to ensuring people feel heard
Significant Contrasts
Endorsements
Pekin: Embraces establishment support from entire judicial community
Friend: Rejects attorney/judge endorsements as ethically problematic, questions their appropriateness
Experience
Pekin: 5 years as sitting judge, extensive criminal trial experience
Friend: No judicial experience, family law focus, diverse non-legal work background
Judicial Temperament
Pekin: Emphasizes empathy alongside fair an equal application of the law and communicating in plain language
Friend: Emphasizes empathy from varied life experiences (cancer survivor, single parent, multiple careers)
Court Culture
Pekin: Works within existing system, advocates for practical solutions
Friend: Challenges court dress codes as First Amendment violations, questions judicial traditions
Systemic Issues
Geographic challenges: County size (larger than Delaware, similar to Jamaica) creates access problems
Resource shortages: Statewide lack of court reporters and certified interpreters
Consolidation trend: Court operations centralizing in Ukiah, reducing Coast access
Technology gaps: Odyssey system has problems; remote appearance pilot program expiring June 2026
Election timing: June 2 election gives candidates only 4 months vs. November general election
Transparency limits: California keeps judicial evaluations confidential; limited public records
Notable Details
2016 race was razor-thin: Pekin lost to Faulder by just 154 votes (49.51% vs 50.13%)
If Friend wins: All 8 judges would live inland; no Coast-based judge
Judge salary: ~$240,000 first year
Pekin’s unique experience: Represented prisoners in Salinas Valley and Soledad State Prisons
Friend’s creative compensation: Accepted figs, fish, books, tacos, paddleboard lessons for legal work
Background checks: Friend has multiple minor traffic violations across states, he is currently a party in a family law case that is presided over by Judge FredRicco McCurry; Pekin’s records restricted