Pam Bondi’s Brother Crushed in D.C. Bar Election Amid Anti-Trump Backlash, Accusations of ‘Political Retaliation’
Bradley “Brad” Bondi, a prominent defense attorney and brother to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, suffered a humiliating landslide defeat in his bid to lead the Washington, D.C., Bar Association — garnering just 9% of the vote in an election that exposed the deep political rift dividing the capital’s legal community.
The contest wasn’t even close. Diane Seltzer, an employment law attorney and longtime member of the D.C. Bar, swept the race with over 90% of the nearly 38,600 votes cast, dealing Bondi a politically charged blow that reflected less on his legal merits and more on his family name.
Bondi’s campaign called for a return to apolitical professionalism, promising expanded pro bono services and better training for young attorneys. But his conservative background — and his connection to Pam Bondi, a longtime Trump ally — made him a lightning rod in a city where partisanship often overshadows qualifications.
While both candidates shared similar platforms, the narrative pushed by Bondi’s opponents painted him as a Trojan horse for Trump-era retaliation, with activists warning that his election would invite “influence from the Trump administration” and compromise the bar’s independence.
Seltzer, 57, celebrated the overwhelming victory, declaring:
“Bar members deserve a leader who reflects their values and allows them to practice law without fear of political retribution.”
Bondi, meanwhile, issued a fiery post-defeat statement accusing his critics of launching personal attacks and conspiracy theories:
“Their tactics, which included smearing me over my family and peddling conspiracies about my intentions, were not just an assault on my integrity but on the D.C. Bar’s very mission.”
The D.C. Bar election wasn’t an isolated incident. Alicia Long, a former homicide prosecutor also linked to the Trump administration, lost her bid for treasurer, signaling a broader rejection of any perceived conservative influence within the bar’s leadership.
The verdict is clear: in today’s Washington, even the hint of association with Trump — or his allies — is enough to get you disbarred by popular vote.