Brad Bondi's attempt to run for D.C. bar president faced immense challenges due to his familial ties with Pam Bondi, head of Trump's personal law firm. Even though his campaign focused on continuing legal education (CLE) rather than politics, the perception of cronyism proved insurmountable. The low turnout reflected voters' concerns about nepotism, particularly given the broader political climate of the time. Bondi's obligation to disassociate from his sister's reputation, especially amidst ongoing ethics complaints, added further difficulty, ultimately leading to a crushing defeat.
Bondi's campaign never really turned on politics. The bar association's disciplinary function exists outside the purview of its president and Bondi's platform concerned itself more with "CLE" than "MAGA."
In a political moment dominated by a noxious blend of nepotism and cronyism, handing the DC bar over to the Attorney General's brother was a non-starter.
Brad Bondi's best bet was to campaign on being his sister's most consistent and vociferous critic ever since he tore the head off her favorite Barbie.
His campaign asked voters to overlook the connection entirely - an implausible ask - which only succeeded in making him seem oblivious to overwhelmingly obvious optics.
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