Well, folks, it turns out even a last name with political clout couldn’t secure a win in the rough-and-tumble world of bar association politics.
The brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Brad Bondi, suffered a resounding defeat in his bid to lead the D.C. Bar Association, as announced by the organization on Monday. As reported by The Hill, this election saw record turnout, with Bondi garnering a mere 3,490 votes—or 9.1%—against employment lawyer Diane Seltzer’s staggering 34,982 votes, or 90.9%.
Bondi, global co-chair of investigations and white-collar defense at Paul Hastings, surely hoped his legal pedigree would carry the day. But the numbers don’t lie, and this wasn’t even close. It’s almost as if the D.C. Bar’s 121,000 members sent a memo: “Thanks, but no thanks.”
The D.C. Bar, the largest unified bar in the nation, witnessed an unprecedented 38,646 votes cast—43.26% of eligible voters—compared to a 50-year average of just 7,444. D.C. Bar CEO Robert Spagnoletti called this engagement “extraordinary” on a press call, stressing the apolitical nature of the organization. One might wonder if this turnout was less about enthusiasm and more about a defensive stand against perceived partisanship.
Bondi didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room—his family ties and past clients like Elon Musk, Tesla, and Trump Media & Technology Group. Critics of the current administration sounded alarms, fearing a takeover by allies of the White House amid escalating tensions with the legal profession. It’s hard not to smirk at the irony: a bar association election turned into a proxy battle over national politics.
Despite the loss, Bondi vowed during the campaign to keep the D.C. Bar nonpartisan, a promise that now rings hollow given the outcome. Perhaps the membership saw through the pledge, or maybe they just preferred Seltzer, who was backed by nearly two dozen former bar presidents. Either way, Seltzer starts as president-elect next month and assumes the presidency on July 1, 2026.
In a statement after the results, Bondi expressed disappointment, saying he had “hoped this race would be a contest of ideas.” He suggested initiatives like a robust ethics hotline and expanded pro bono programs to unite lawyers across the spectrum. Admirable goals, sure, but it’s tough to rally support when the narrative has already been hijacked by partisan mudslinging.
Bondi didn’t hold back on his frustration, claiming, “rabid partisans lurched this election into the political gutter.” He decried tactics like “smearing” over family ties and “peddling conspiracies” about his motives. While his anger is palpable, one wonders if playing the victim card in a losing battle really helps the cause.
He went further, calling these attacks “an assault on my integrity” and warning that the D.C. Bar may “never recover from this politicization.” Strong words, but perhaps a touch dramatic—after all, the bar has survived 50 years of elections without crumbling. Still, the concern over injecting politics into a professional body isn’t entirely baseless.
The election wasn’t just a referendum on Bondi; Alicia Long, a deputy to interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, also fell short in her bid for treasurer. Long secured only 8,854 votes, or 25.1%, while cybersecurity lawyer Amanda Molina clinched the win with 26,380 votes or 74.9%. Another landslide—perhaps a pattern?
Spagnoletti noted that dozens of qualified candidates stepped up for leadership roles this year, a silver lining in an otherwise contentious race. The high engagement might signal a membership eager to protect the bar’s mission from external influence. Or, more cynically, it could just be fear of a conservative sweep.
Looking at Bondi’s past representations—high-profile clients like Musk and a group tied to YouTuber MrBeast in a TikTok bid—it’s not hard to see why some members raised eyebrows. Yet, painting him as a political operative seems a stretch when the D.C. Bar doesn’t even handle attorney discipline. Guilt by association is a cheap shot, even if it apparently worked.
Seltzer’s victory, backed by a legion of past presidents, suggests the membership values continuity over change—or at least, change tied to controversial figures. Her employment law firm and established reputation likely offered a safe harbor in a storm of political suspicion. Sometimes, steady beats flashy.
For Bondi, the loss stings, no doubt, especially with his stated “heart full of gratitude” clashing against a “mind heavy with concern” for the bar’s future. It’s a gracious note, but the undercurrent of bitterness is hard to miss. Losing by 81 percentage points will do that to a person.
What’s the takeaway from this electoral drubbing? The D.C. Bar’s record turnout shows lawyers care deeply about their institution, even if the fight got ugly. And if politics can infiltrate even a bar association race, perhaps no corner of professional life is safe from the culture wars—depressing, but not surprising.
