They have unions here, organizations of judges in the same state who send out speakers, etc.
http://aja.ncsc.dni.us/
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/judicial/
https://www.federaljudgesassoc.org/
etc.
A judge may have ruled against a certain organization and the defending attorney for such a group, may ask for a different judge. But that is ruled on by another judge. My experience, is that the ruling by a judge in this case is on a narrow issue, not the whole organization. The WTS is also able to ask for the ruling to be appealed to a appeal court (usually 3 judges with considerable judicial experience). So can the defense cherry pick the judge. Perhaps, but in the end if appealed it will be 3 separate appeal judges, selected in this way.
https://www.uscourts.gov/faqs-federal-judges
Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, as stated in the Constitution. ... Article III of the Constitution states that these judicial officers areappointed for a life term.