As it happens, most trial court judges in the US are elected. See here: http://www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/state_judicial_elections http://ww

As it happens, most trial court judges in the US are elected. See here: http://www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/state_judicial_elections http://www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/state_... Judge Alsup is a federal judge, so he's an appointee, not an elected official. But most judges do need campaign donors. It's a problem.