Countywide : Youngblood Takes Leave to Campaign for Sheriff

Bobby D. Youngblood said Friday that he has begun a leave of absence from his Municipal Court judgeship to run for Orange County sheriff-coroner in next year’s election.

Youngblood criticized Sheriff-Coroner Brad Gates for deaths that have occurred in the Orange County Jail in recent years and said that if elected he will have a “nationally recognized forensic pathologist” investigate the deaths.

The judge also said he supports splitting the job into separate offices of sheriff and coroner and having civilians replace sworn peace officers in the jail. The Orange County Board of Supervisors this year has studied both matters and rejected the proposal to split the duties.

Youngblood, who had been criticized for remaining on the bench while running for sheriff, said that his leave of absence began Friday and that he will not seek reelection as a judge next year.