The trend has been that judge positions don't seem to get as much attention or bring on as much campaigning as other seats in an election. Between that and the fact that the openings for the 58th District Court only recently were combined into one space on the ballot—creating a contested race, the judge candidates have had little time to get competitive.

What this means is that there are two seats available and voters are allowed to vote for two candidates. However, three names will appear on the ballot, forcing voters to pick their favorites.

And what exactly does the job entail? A District Court judge hears cases involving criminal misdemeanors, landlords and tenants, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims up to $3000, municipal ordinance violations, and even the preliminary stages of felony charges. And, on a more positive note, these judges have the added bonus of presiding over civil weddings.

The two bench seats that are open currently are filled by the incumbents. Judge Juanita Bocanegra is completing her six-year term and is running to be reelected. The other seat was held by Judge Bradley Knoll who retired earlier than expected. In the interim, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Anna White to fill his seat until the election.
‍

Meet the Candidates

Juanita F. Bocanegra
Incumbent Judge Juanita F. Bocanegra was raised in Texas and graduated from West Ottawa High School. She earned a BA in International Relations from Grand Valley State University and a Juris Doctor in Litigation from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2008. She progressed to working as an attorney at a law firm before landing an almost ten-year stint for Ottawa County as the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, leading the Domestic Violence Unit.

As the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Bocanegra handled both civil and criminal cases, varying from misdemeanors up to and including murder trials. In 2017, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Bocanegra to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.

Three years later, with 54% of the vote, Bocanegra beat out Magistrate Vern Helder to take over Judge Susan Jonas’s seat on the 58th District Court. She later was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Michigan Supreme Court Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Commission, which last year was renamed the Commission on Fairness and Public Trust.

Bocanegra has served her community with involvement in several local organizations including the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Lakeshore Leadership Council, Lakeshore Latinas, the Ottawa County Truancy Collaborative, Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Women Who Care, and Women of Color Give and as vice-chair of the Board of Directors of Movement West Michigan.

As for endorsements, Bocanegra is supported by many current and retired judges. At the County, she’s been endorsed by Water Commissioner Joe Bush, Retired Treasurer Amanda Price, County Prosecutor Sarah Matwiejczyk, former County Commissioners Greg DeJong, Al Dannenberg, and Matt Fenske, current County Commissioners Jacob Bonnema and Doug Zylstra, plus many attorneys, community leaders, and law enforcement officers.

Summarizing her qualifications, Bocanegra states: "My balanced experience as an attorney in civil litigation, business law, family law, and criminal prosecution allows me to bring the temperament and attributes necessary to serve the public from the 58th District Court bench. I am fair, forthright, honest and courteous with everyone I work with, from the public to the bar association and law enforcement officers, to the judges and supporting members. I will listen to all the facts in cases that may be presented in front of me and apply the law to render impartial and unbiased decisions for all concerned parties.”

Anna White
Incumbent Judge Anna White was chosen by Governor Gretchen Whitmer this past June to fill the vacant seat left by Judge Knoll. And now, considered an incumbent, White is running to hold onto her seat.

Having grown up in Grand Rapids, White graduated from City High School. She then earned a BS in Social Work from Hope College in 2005 and earned her Juris Doctorate in Litigation from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2011. After graduation, White worked as an associate attorney at a law firm gaining experience in indigent criminal defense cases, mediation, and trial work while also volunteering for nonprofit organizations. It was in 2018 that she joined the Ottawa County Office of the Public Defender as the Assistant Public Defender, earning the Social Justice award in 2023 from the City of Holland.

In addition to her role as the Assistant Public Defender, White mentored new attorneys and served on the board for (and was formerly the president of) the Ottawa County Bar Association. She also served on the Board of Directors for Compassionate Heart Ministries, Movement West Michigan. Ottawa County Community Corrections Advisory, and the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly. Additionally, she has been a volunteer mediator for LAUP and Midtown Counseling services and has served in church leadership.

White has the endorsements of several retired District and Circuit Court judges as well as Water Commissioner Joe Bush and County Commissioners Doug Zylstra, John Teeples, Josh Brugger, and Jordan Jorritsma.

As a judge, White states she brings “both expertise and empathy to every decision.” She explains that as both a social worker and long-time defense attorney, she has a balanced perspective and will promote “the dignity and humanity of every person involved in the court process.”

Paul A. Ledford
Attorney Paul Ledford grew up in Coopersville. He earned a BA in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University and a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995. After working as an associate attorney for law firms, he opened Ledford & Associates in 2002.

With 30 years of experience in civil and criminal law, Ledford practices in both the State and Federal courts and represents clients before the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. His areas of practice include estate planning and elder law, business and transactional law, mergers and acquisitions, civil litigation and appeals, real estate, trademark and copyright, CPL/CCW, and criminal defense law.

In 2020, Ledford was nominated and awarded the recognition of being a "Lawyer of Distinction" based upon his experience, work, and activity as an attorney in Michigan in the areas of civil litigation and criminal defense.

2020 also is when Ledford defended a client’s First Amendment right to express his opinion against issues surrounding Covid 19. Ledford posted: “The First Amendment is not about polite discourse. It covers the right of a person to speak out (in a non-violent manner), even in an angry, boisterous and loud way, against what he or she or they believe is right or wrong about their government and what is happening to or with the governing authorities. Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you find yourself, protecting a person's right to debate, criticize, and express your opinion openly MUST be zealously protected.”

Ledford is recognized as a leading authority on Michigan's Concealed Pistol Law and the use of deadly and non-deadly force in self-defense. Additionally, he is a referral attorney for self-defense insurance programs—including both the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCS) and the NRA—and a member of the USCCA’s Legal Critical Response Team attorney service.

Rather than endorsements, Ledford’s client testimonials compliment his experience, knowledge, effectiveness, and ability to offer hope in bleak circumstances. Ledford believes the court has a responsibility to protect both liberty and order, and that a free society depends on both respect for constitutional rights and personal responsibility under the law, saying a court should never forget either one. He also believes Ottawa County deserves a judge who will be prepared, respectful, steady, and accountable to the law.

Ledford’s campaign commits to:
• “Act justly—apply the law fairly, without favoritism, and take public safety seriously.
• Love mercy—remember that every person who comes before the court is a human being, and that mercy has a proper place when guided by truth, responsibility, and the law.
• Walk humbly—understand that the role of judge is not about ego, politics, or personal agenda. It is about service.”

Three candidates, two seats. Which two do you think would best serve the people of Ottawa County?

‍