Well, folks, the D.C. Bar Association election just delivered a knockout punch that even the toughest legal eagle couldn’t dodge.

As reported by the Washington Examiner, the story centers on Brad Bondi, brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who suffered a staggering loss in his bid to lead the D.C. Bar Association. 

Voting kicked off on April 15, with ballots accepted until early June, and the results, announced on Monday, showed Bondi earning a mere 3,490 votes, or 9.1%, against Diane Seltzer’s commanding 34,982.

Historic Turnout in a Contentious Race

This wasn’t your typical sleepy bar association vote—turnout was described as “extraordinary” by D.C. Bar CEO Robert Spagnoletti, with roughly 38,600 ballots cast compared to just 7,500 in the prior election. The national spotlight, fueled by Bondi’s White House connections, turned a local race into a political lightning rod.

Democrats pounced, accusing Bondi of planning to weaponize the position against opponents of the Trump administration. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton chimed in, claiming Trump aims to “seat the bar with his allies,” as if the legal system is just a chessboard for political games.

Sharpton’s warning that Bondi’s run signals an intent to “burn the legal system” to the ground sounds dramatic enough for a Hollywood script. But let’s be real—hyperbole like this risks drowning out legitimate debate with theatrical fearmongering.

Bondi’s Frustration Over Partisan Attacks

Bondi, a partner at the criminal defense firm Paul Hastings, didn’t hold back in expressing his dismay over the campaign’s tone. He told Bloomberg Law he was “disgusted” by how partisans dragged the election into the “political gutter” with baseless attacks and identity politics.

“Never before has a DC Bar election been leveraged along partisan lines in this way,” Bondi lamented, decrying the explicit push for votes based on political affiliation rather than merit. And honestly, when a professional race turns into a mudslinging contest, it’s hard not to wonder if we’ve lost the plot.

Throughout the campaign, Bondi emphasized his credentials, highlighting 26 years as an active D.C. Bar member, two terms on a steering committee, and over two decades of pro bono work. He insisted his run was about strengthening the profession, not playing political games.

Seltzer’s Victory and Vision Forward

On the flip side, Diane Seltzer, an employment attorney, celebrated her decisive win with a promise to be “fierce” for members and attentive to their concerns. Her victory speech radiated confidence in the electorate’s choice for leadership grounded in respect and relevance.

Seltzer didn’t shy away from jabs during the campaign, accusing Bondi’s sister, Pam, of using her attorney general role to instill fear in the legal community for simply doing their jobs. It’s a pointed critique, though one might argue it’s a bit rich to paint an entire family with the same partisan brush.

Spagnoletti, the D.C. Bar CEO, stressed during a Monday press call that the association remains “apolitical,” a reminder that seems almost quaint given the storm this election stirred. Still, his nod to the qualifications of all candidates suggests a desire to refocus on substance over spectacle.

Lessons From a Polarized Campaign

The numbers don’t lie—Seltzer’s near 91% of the vote is a clear mandate, and Bondi’s 9.1% is the kind of result that stings long after the ballots are counted. For a race meant to be about legal leadership, the intrusion of national politics feels like a detour into irrelevance.

What’s the takeaway here? When even a bar association election becomes a proxy war for broader ideological battles, it’s a sign that the culture of division has seeped into every corner of public life—a trend conservatives have long warned against as the progressive agenda prioritizes politics over professionalism.

Yet, there’s room for empathy toward Bondi, who campaigned on experience and service only to face accusations more suited to a congressional hearing than a bar association vote. Perhaps it’s time to dial back the partisan fervor and remember that not every contest needs to be a referendum on the state of the republic.