The Southern California News Group has compiled a questionnaire to select candidates for the June 2026 primary election. The questionnaire includes questions about the judicial philosophy of judges and their role in the law. Judge Paul Thompson believes judges are first and foremost public servants and should serve humbly, sacrifice for the public, strive to be fair, just, equal and even-tempered. He also believes that judges should be empathetic, offended by inequality, injustice, suffering and pain. Thompson's role is to implement laws passed by people's elected representatives, not to ignore personal beliefs. He has previously investigated the Los Angeles Harvey Weinstein sexual assault case and filed sexual assault charges against Harvey Weinstein.