Ryan Davis of Yolo County has announced his candidacy for Superior Court Judge, building on a career dedicated to public service. Photo courtesy of Ryan for Yolo

DAVIS, CA (MPG) - Court Commissioner Ryan Davis announced today that he is running for Yolo County Superior Court Judge, building on a career dedicated to public service. 

“I’m running for judge because I want to serve the community I’ve called home for more than 40 years. Throughout my career – as both a lawyer and a judicial officer – I’ve been dedicated to the fair administration of justice. I want to bring that commitment home and help ensure that Yolo County’s courts remain worthy of the public’s trust.” 

As a Court Commissioner for the Sacramento County Superior Court, Ryan presides over complex family law matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, and domestic violence. In that role, he regularly makes difficult, time-sensitive decisions with lasting consequences for individuals and families. Those decisions are guided by the law, the facts, and a commitment to fairness and respect for everyone who appears in the courtroom. 

Before joining the bench, Ryan devoted his career to public service. As a Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice, he worked on challenging, high-profile cases involving firearm laws, housing, and environmental regulations. He also spent a decade as a public defender at the county, state and federal levels, representing indigent individuals and ensuring their rights were protected under the law. Ryan’s broad experience, spanning civil, criminal, and family law, provides a strong foundation for serving the people of Yolo County through fair and efficient legal process. 

In addition to his legal and judicial service, Ryan has taught at UC Davis School of Law (King Hall) and at Berkeley Law, helping to train a new generation of service-minded lawyers. He also serves as an advisory member of the Judicial Council of California, the policymaking body of California’s judiciary. 

Beyond experience and legal knowledge, Ryan emphasizes the importance of judicial temperament: “My entire legal career has been shaped by the conviction that every person is entitled to a level of compassion and respect that is not earned and cannot be forfeited.” His campaign focuses on ensuring that access to justice is not limited by language, economic circumstance, or other barriers. 

Ryan’s connection to Yolo County runs deep. He and his wife both grew up here; his wife now teaches at the elementary school Ryan once attended, and together they are raising their family in the same community they have always considered home.

Ryan is proud to announce the endorsements of over two dozen current and former Yolo County elected officials, including Yolo County Supervisors Lucas Frerichs, Mary Sandy, Sheila Allen, and Angel Barajas, and city council members from Davis, Winters, Woodland and West Sacramento. To see a full list of his endorsements, visit RyanforYolo.com. 

Ryan has served the community as president of the Davis Schools Foundation, a City of Davis human relations commissioner, a member of the Davis Joint Unified School District Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight Committee, and a Community Panelist for the Yolo County Neighborhood Court. 

“I’m proud of my public service and the responsibility I’ve been entrusted with throughout my career,” Ryan said. “I’m running to serve Yolo County with fairness, integrity and respect for the people who rely on our courts.” 

Ryan looks forward to engaging with voters throughout Yolo County during the campaign. 

You can learn more about Ryan, his support and his experience by visiting RyanforYolo.com.