LWV LWV - the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area

Transcripción

LWV
non-partisan election material
LWV
– Vot e YO U R C h o ice !
Voters Guide
L e a g u e o f Wo m e n Vo t e r s o f t h e H o u s t o n A r e a
General Election ★
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
What’s on the Ballot?
READ ABOUT:
On November 4, Harris County voters will cast votes to elect
President / Vice President
U.S. Senators
Representatives to U.S. Congress
State Railroad Commissioner
State & District Judges
State Legislators
Board of Education Trustees
County Officials
Probate Court Judges
Justices of the Peace / Constables
★ Polls Open 7am to 7 pm
✓ Candidates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
✓ VotING FACTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
✓ EARLY VOTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
✓ The Electoral College. . . . . . . . . . . . 3
✓ Voting MachineS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
INDEX TO VOTERS GUIDE
CANDIDATES:
Constable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
County Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
County Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
County Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
County School Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
County Tax Assessor-Collector . . . . . 27
Court of Appeals Justice . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Court of Criminal Appeals Justice . . . . 8 District Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
District Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
District Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Justice of the Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Probate Court Judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Railroad Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Special Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
State Board of Education Trustee . . . . . 10
State Senator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
State Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
State Supreme Court Justice . . . . . . . . 6
U.S. President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
U.S. Senator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
U.S. Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
VOTER INFORMATION:
Early Voting Locations
and Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The Electoral College System– or
Who Elects the President? . . . . . . . 3
Telephone Numbers/Web Sites . . 30
Voter Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Voting Machine Diagram . . . . . . . . 29
ABOUT THIS VOTERS GUIDE
The League of Women Voters of the Houston area published this
information to help voters cast an informed vote. Inside you will find
candidates’ qualifications, answers to our questions and photographs.
Our state organization, League of Women Voters of Texas, provided the
information on the state-wide and national races.
Races and candidates are listed in ballot order. Candidate replies are pub-
lished without editing or verification. Replies exceeding word limit requirements are indicated by (///).
No portion of this Voters Guide may be reproduced for use in political
campaigns or advertising. Other proposed reproduction uses of the Voters
Guide must have permission of the League of Women Voters - Houston Area
Education Fund.
The League of Women Voters is non-partisan. It DOES NOT support or oppose any political party or candidate.
We thank and acknowledge contributors who fund the Voters Guide. See back page for a list of contributors.
League of Women Voters of the Houston Area • www.lwvhouston.org • 713.784.2923
view your SPECIFIC ballot!
WRITE-IN ELECTION PROCESS
New precinct-specific information now on the Web! View your voting location and
specific ballot. Enter your name or precinct number.
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Go to www.harrisvotes.com
Click on English, Spanish or Vietnamese
Click on Election Info on left
Click on 2008 Election box on right
On drop down window click on Precinct Specific Voting Information
On screen behind the drop down window scroll down
Enter your name or your precinct – your information comes up!
Anyone meeting the position and filing requirements and either paying a fee
or petitioning with voter signatures, may run as a write-in candidate. The names of
all certified write-in candidates will be posted in the voting booths. For each race in
which certified write-in candidates are running, there will be a space on the ballot in
which the voter may “write in” a candidate’s name. Using the eSlate this is done by
turning the wheel and selecting the letters necessary to spell the candidate’s name.
Voter Information
Facts about Voting
You can vote if:
• You are a U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years of age, and a resident of Harris County.
• You are not on parole, probation, or in prison for a felony.
• You have not been declared mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court.
• You are registered to vote in Harris County. (October 6, 2008 was the last day to register for
the November General Election.)
How do I register to vote?
Each county has a Voter Registrar. In Harris County the Voter Registrar is the County Tax
Assessor-Collector. You may register in person at 1001 Preston Avenue – 2nd Floor; any of 15 Tax
Office substations throughout the County; any Texas Department of Public Safety Office; each
Public Library, including any branch or service outlet; several other state agency offices or you can
mail in your application. Applications are available at those sites, on line at www.hcvoter.net or by
calling 713.368.8683 to request one via mail. During voter registration drives you can register with
a deputized volunteer voter registrar. After you register, you should receive your Voters Registration
Certificate (VRC) within 30 days. Every 2 years, you will be mailed a replacement VRC. To maintain your registered status you must notify the Voter Registrar of any address or name change.
Where do I vote?
During the Early Voting Period, October 20 to October 31, 2008, you may vote at any of the
designated Early Voting Locations. Go to page 31 for a list of these locations. They are posted on
line at www.harrisvotes.com or you can call 713.755.6965.
On Election Day, you must vote in the polling location designated for your precinct of residence.
Polling locations for each precinct are listed in the newspaper the day of the election. Also, they
are on line at www.harrisvotes.com or you can call 713.755.6965.
Where do I find my Precinct Number?
Your Precinct Number (Pct. No.) shows in the middle of the left side of your Voter Registration
Certificate (VRC). Many Harris County precincts merged year-end 2005 and lines were redrawn.
Check the precinct number on your VRC before going to the polling location.
Or, you can contact the Harris County Clerk’s Office, 713.755.6965 / www.harrisvotes.com
or the Voter Registrar, 713.368.8683 / www.hcvoter.net.
What do I take to the Polls?
Take your Voter Registration Certificate (VRC). This is all that is needed unless this is your
first time to vote in this county for a federal office and your original application was mailed to
the Voter Registrar without proper identification. Other identification, such as a Texas Drivers
License, is accepted but it’s much faster to sign in with your VRC, which has helpful information
on it. Keep it in a safe place.
You can take this Voters Guide or other written material into the Voting Booth. However, voters are not allowed to display or share any campaign material in the polling place.
What if my name is not on the list of registered voters and the Voter Registrar
has no record of my registration but I think I have registered?
If your name is not on the list and you think you have registered, the Precinct Judge will
contact the Voter Registrar. If the Voter Registrar cannot affirm your registration, you may vote a
“provisional ballot”. First, you must complete an affidavit stating that you are a registered voter
in the precinct in which you are attempting to vote and that you are eligible to vote in this election
and you must present valid identification. Your ballot will be counted only if state or local officials
determine you are eligible under State law. You will receive a letter after the election notifying you
whether your provisional ballot was accepted or rejected.
What is “provisional voting”?
See answer to previous question.
To find out which U. S. Representative, State Senate and Representative Districts, County
Commissioner Precinct, and Justice of the Peace Precinct you are in, look on the right half of your
Voter Registration Certificate. Those designations, as well as other district/precinct designations
are also available from the Voter Registrar, 713.368.8683 or the County Clerk’s Voter Information
Line, 713.755.6965.
The County Clerk’s Office will have your specific ballot on line at www.harrisvotes.com no
later than October 20, 2008. You may view which races and candidates will be on your specific
ballot. See instructions at the top of this page. To obtain this information via telephone, call
713.755.6965, the County Clerk’s Voter Information Line, during regular hours.
When can I vote?
You may vote:
• On Election day - at your assigned precinct’s polling place
• Early - at designated times and locations from Oct.6 to Oct 31, 2008 – see schedule on pg. 31.
• By ballot-by-mail if you are at least age 65, disabled, confined in jail, or if absence from
county will prevent you from voting. For this election your application to get a ballot by
mail must be received by Sept. 5 - Oct. 28, 2008 (received, not Postmarked), and you must
follow the requirements for voting by mail.
Contact the County Clerk’s Office, 713.755.6405 for information or visit
www.harrisvotes.com to print an application for a ballot-by-mail.
How does a student who is a registered voter and attends school
outside the county vote?
• A student can return home to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period.
• A student can vote absentee by using a ballot-by-mail. For ballot-by-mail instructions, see
the answer to the previous question.
What do I do if I change my address and still live in Harris County?
Promptly notify the Harris County Voter Registrar of your address change. You can change
your address on line at www.hcvoter.net or in writing by completing a voter registration change
form or by correcting the information on your current voter registration certificate and returning
it to the Voter Registrar. Voter registration change forms are available from the Harris County
Voter Registrar, 713.368.8683, on line at www.hcvoter.net or the Texas Secretary of State’s office,
1.800.252.8683, or on line at http://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/sos/SOSACManager.
You will be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after your notice has been received by the
Voter Registrar. Meanwhile, you may vote a full ballot in your former precinct if your registration
has not become effective in your new precinct. What do I do if I change my address and move to another county?
You must re-register. Complete an application and mail it or take it in person to the voter registrar of your new county. You will be registered 30 days after your application is submitted.
You may be eligible to vote a limited ballot in your new county of residence after moving if you
were qualified to vote in your former county at the time you moved, and if your registration in the
new county is not yet effective. You must apply for a limited ballot and vote by personal appearance
with the early voting clerk conducting the election in your new county during the early voting period
– not on Election Day.
What does the term “suspense” mean on a voter’s record?
What can I vote on in this election?
You may vote for candidates running for U. S. President, U. S. Senator, U. S. House of
Representative for your district, Railroad Commissioner, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice and
Justices, Presiding Judge and Judges – Criminal Court, Appellate Court Judge for your district,
State Senator and House Representative for your district, State Board of Education Trustee,
District Judges, Harris County offices – including District Attorney, County Judge, County
Attorney, District Clerk, County Sheriff, County Tax Assessor-Collector, County School Trustee, County Commissioner for your precinct, Justice of the Peace for your precinct, Constable for your
precinct. There will be a special election for State Senator District 17, unexpired term. On line at
www.harrisvotes.com you can view which races and candidates will be on your specific ballot.
Follow the directions at the top of this page.
The term “suspense” is used to designate those voters for whom the Harris County Voter
Registrar does not have a current address. A voter in “suspense” status on the rolls will be
allowed to vote after completing a change of residence form. Once the address is corrected,
the “suspense” designation will be removed from the voter’s record. On November 30 of evennumbered years, the Voter Registrar cancels registrations of suspense list voters if two general
elections have occurred since the voter was first listed as a suspense voter if the voter has not
submitted an address correction.
League of Women Voters Houston • General Election 2008 Voters Guide
S P E C IA L E L E C TIO N
State Senator
Member of the Senate must be at least 26 years old, registered voter for at least five years, and resident
of the district for at least one year. The Senate confirms gubernatorial appointments to administrative and
judicial posts. It participates in the initiation of proposals for constitutional amendments. It canvasses the
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe your education, your
occupation, and the training and
experience that qualify you for this
position? (50 word limit)
returns in elections for governor and lieutenant governor. The Senate tries officials impeached by the
House. Senate members also serve as advocate for citizens in the members home district. State Senators
are elected for a term of four years.
Companies are showing that energy
conservation is cost effective and saves
energy. What legislation would you
support to increase energy conservation
in Texas? (60 word limit)
Austen Furse
In spite of tremendous growth, technological
breakthroughs helped keep oil consumption
stable for over a decade after the 1970s oil criHusband, father, Houston businessman. sis. We must remove barriers to innovation,
B.A., Yale. White House Director of Policy small business creation and entrepreneurship,
Planning under Pres. George H.W. Bush. Led starting with the stifling new business tax. a series of grassroots efforts to protect taxpay- Funding research at Texas universities will
ers with a tax revenue cap, promote a taxpayer also prime the innovation pump. The solupledge for legislators, require the fulfillment tion lies in encouraging innovation instead of
costly mandates.
of a promised transit vote, and more.
Republican
Is current state tax policy sufficient to
finance state government needs, such as
public education, public safety, and bridge
and road maintenance? If not, what
measures would you support to increase
state revenues? (60 word limit)
Public schools, once again, are in severe
financial straits. What additional
legislation would you recommend
to address this problem?
(60 word limit)
For the last thirty years, state revenues grew
over twice the rate of population increase
plus inflation! We need to rein in this tax
explosion. In Houston, I pioneered an idea
that has caught fire statewide: a Taxpayer
Bill of Rights Revenue Cap. This proven
solution succeeds in part because taxpayers
receive back the excess revenues, encouraging
a watchdog citizenry.
More revenue should bypass the bureaucrats
and go straight to classrooms and teachers.
We should also pay teachers based on performance – in business that’s just common sense. Reducing red tape will allow teachers to spend
more time teaching and less time filling out
paperwork. We must institute these proven
solutions quickly in order to match ever-faster
technological and global change.
No. We do not need more artificial means, such
as increased taxes, to enable more revenue and
more spending. In fact, the people need some
tax relief, which is why the business margins
tax needs to be repealed. Further, property
values need to be frozen for 5-7 years to slow
down the growth of spending and to give the
property/// Funding for public education as increased
dramatically in the last 10 years, much more
so than the rate of enrollment. Therefore,
more money is not necessarily the solution.
There should be more accountability and
transparency as to where the money is spent
and for what.
No. The state surplus should be used for
basic needs such as schools and transportation
infrastructure. If this is not sufficient, then I
support finding additional revenues to pay for
public schools and other needs, as well as a
property tax cut for homeowners.
We must stop the endless cycle of crisis
funding by putting our public schools on
sustainable financial footing. We need to
explore increasing the state’s share of education spending (and decreasing the burden on
homeowners) with a broad-based business
profits tax.
ken sherman, Republican – no response received
stephanie e. simmons, Democrat – no response received
grant harpold
DISTRICT 17
Republican
BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M, 1985;
JD from South Texas College of Law, 1988.
Practicing lawyer for 20 years; Board Certified
in Civil Trial Law since 1997; Partner, Hargis
& Harpold, LLP, 1997-Present. I deal with
people/business issues each and every day. A
history of listening and responding ///
Tax exemptions or relief for those companies
or individuals who invest in or use alternative energy to power their business or home.
Alternatives such as wind, solar and bio-fuel.
Also, an effort should be directed to entities
and individuals to install alternative ways of collecting and using water so as ease the strain
on underground supplies and reservoirs.
Joan Huffman, Republican – no response received
chris bell
Democrat
I earned my B.A. from UT and my law degree
from the South Texas College of Law. I represented this area on the Houston City Council
as an at-large member for five years and in
Congress for two years. By profession, I am
an attorney.
Gané mi B.A. de UT y mi Doctorado de Ley
de la Universidad del Sur de Tejas de Leyes.
He representado esta área en el Consejo de
Houston como miembro, y por cinco años
y en el congreso nacional por dos años. De
profesión, soy abogado.
I would favor requiring electric power utilities
to meet 100% of the anticipated growth in
energy demands through energy efficiency
and demand management within the next 5 to
10 years. Incentivizing or requiring the use
of energy efficient appliances and buildings,
“weatherization” of existing homes and buildings, and programmable thermostats should
also be done.
Favorecería requerir que las utilidades de la
energía eléctrica resolver 100% del crecimiento anticipado en demandas energéticas a
través de rendimiento energético y de la gerencia de demanda en el plazo entre los 5 a 10
años próximos. Estimulando o requiriendo el
uso de aplicaciones y de edificios económicos
de energía, el “weatherization” de hogares y
de edificios existentes, y los termóstatos programables deben también ser hechos.
No. El exceso del estado se debe utilizar para
las necesidades básicas, tales como escuelas
e infraestructura del transporte. Si esto no
es suficiente, entonces apoyo buscar fondos
adicionales para fondar las escuelas públicas
y otras necesidades, además una rebaja en
los impuestos para los propetarios de sus
viviendas.
Debemos parar el ciclo interminable del crisis
de financiamiento en poner nuestras escuelas
públicas en una situción financiera sostenible.
Necesitamos explorar aumentar la contribución del estado al gasto a la educación (y la
disminución de la carga en propetarios de
viviendas) con un impuesto de beneficios de
negocio ampliamente distribuido
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM – or Who Elects the President?
What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College is a group of 538 selected citizens who meet after a presidential election to actually “elect” the president and vice-president. Each state and the District of Columbia have a designated
number of electors. To be elected to the presidency, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of the
electoral votes (270). If there were more than two candidates for president and none received a majority,
the House of Representatives would pick the winner with each state casting one vote.
Why do we have an Electoral College system?
Over two centuries ago when the United States’ form of representative democracy was designed into
the Constitution, the choice of the president was to be made by “a small number of persons, selected by
their fellow citizens from the general mass.” These persons “will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to such complicated investigations.” (Both quotes from Alexander
Hamilton, The Federalist Papers, No. 68.) It was a way to monitor a possibly uneducated and uninformed
electorate and, in the beginning, it had considerable power to make a choice which did not reflect the
popular vote.
At that time there were no political parties or national campaigns. Today the sole function of the
Electoral College is to confirm the decision made by the voters.
How does the Electoral College system work?
The number of electors chosen in each state is equal to the combined number of that state’s U.S. senators and representatives. Each political party and independent and write-in presidential candidate selects
the allowed number of electors in each state. When voters choose a slate of president and vice-president,
they are actually voting for electors pledged to that slate.
Under this electoral system, voters do not directly elect a president and vice-president on a “one-person, one-vote” basis. In 48 of the 50 states, whichever candidate gets the most popular votes wins all of
that state’s electors. Only Maine and Nebraska do not use this “winner-take-all” system but award electors based on who wins in each congressional district plus two votes for the winner of the popular vote.
While states cannot opt out of the Electoral College system, they do have the authority to determine how
they allocate their electoral votes.
In Texas we have a “winner-take-all” system for our 34 electoral votes, the second largest number of
electoral votes in the nation. California is first with 55.
On a designated day in December after the November election at a designated location in each state, the
electors who were selected by the winning slate (or slates in the case of Maine and Nebraska) for president
and vice-president in that state will cast their electoral ballots. While the electors are not legally bound to
vote for the slate to whom they are pledged, it is highly unusual for them not to fulfill that pledge.
Observations on the Electoral College system.
• The system allows someone to be elected president without receiving more popular votes than any
other candidate.
• It fosters the two-party system because independent and third party candidates get few electoral votes.
• By voting for each state’s choice for the presidency, it reflects our federal system of government,
which reserves important political powers to the states.
• It discourages voter turnout if voters feel their choice will not win the popular vote in their state.
The source for some of the above information is League of Women Voters Education Fund. Choosing the President 2004: A
Citizen’s Guide to the Electoral Process. Guilford, CT: The Lyons Press, 2003.
president of the uNITED STATES
Salary: $400,000 per year. Term: Four years. Limit of two terms. Duties: The President is the head of state
of the United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander in Chief of all military
forces. The powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal law. Subject to Senate
approval, the President appoints the members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United
Nations, Supreme Court Justices and federal judges. The President, along with the Cabinet and its agencies,
is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress.
u.s.
Republican: john mccain / sarah palin Democrat: BARACK OBAMA / joe biden
Libertarian: Bob Barr / WAYNE A. ROOT Website: http://www.johnmccain.com/
Website: http://my.barackobama.com/
Website: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/
U.S. SENATOR
Six-year term. Must be at least 30 years old, a resident of the United States for at least nine years, and a
resident of Texas. One of 100 members of the U.S. Senate which has specific powers to advise and consent
to presidential appointments and treaties and to try impeachments. Powers the Senate shares with the U.S.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe the training and
experience that qualify you for
this office? (50 words)
JOHN CORNYN
Republican
u.s. senator
I’ve had the honor of serving Texas
in many capacities; as a District
Judge, a Texas Supreme Court
Justice, as Texas Attorney General
and now as your Senator. I believe in
limited government and low taxes,
the importance of families, opportunity for all, and maintaining a strong
national defense.
Richard J. (Rick)
Noriega
Democrat
From my time in the Texas Army
National Guard to the five terms I
spent in the Texas State Legislature,
I’ve worked hard for Texas. During
Operation Jump Start, I worked
to strengthen our borders as the
Commander of the Laredo Section
Checkpoint. After Hurricane
Katrina, I served as the ///
Yvonne Adams
Schick
Libertarian
I am a “citizen candidate”. I have
helped start and build a large, successful business demonstrating my
ability to lead and make deci¬sions.
I have all of the qualifications stated
in the Constitution.
House of Representatives include the power to levy taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce,
and declare war. Authorized annual salary: $165,200
Do you support changes to our
current immigration policy?
Please explain. (75 words)
What is your position on the
renewal of the federal “No Child
Left Behind” Act, and what
changes would you propose, if
any? (75 words)
What policies do you support to
ensure that the United States has
enough energy to supply its needs?
(75 words)
What actions do you support to
improve the delivery and financing of health care in the United
States? (75 words)
In 2005 I introduced one of the first
reform bills in the Senate. It specifies requirements for border security, interior enforcement, workplace
enforcement, a plan to deal with
future immigration and those already
here without documentation. Border
security must come first, including increased use of technology,
more border patrol agents, adding
requested barriers and fencing and
a verifiable system for employers to
identify legal workers. This overall
approach is required to resolve this
long-neglected issue.
I support NCLB reauthorization,
with changes. Education decisions
are best made by parents and teachers, not Washington bureaucrats. I
introduced legislation (Academic
Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act,
A-PLUS) that gives greater flexibility
to states, working in partnership with
local school officials, to use federal
education funds while maintaining
high accountability standards. It also
increases transparency of test results
by allowing states, and not the federal
government, to establish clear and
consistent achievement benchmarks.
My energy policy is simple: we need
“All of The Above.” More energy
from a wide variety of old and new
sources is the only real answer in a
world where fast-developing economies are competing for supplies that
have been artificially constricted.
We should pursue all viable solutions; nuclear, clean coal, wind,
and solar, in addition to increasing
domestic oil production in ANWR,
in western shale areas and the OCS
to ensure our energy independence.
The key to better, more affordable,
health care is giving people more
choices and more control. I support reforms that ensure patients
continue to pick their own doctor.
We should put the cost and quality
of health care online, so patients can
easily compare prices and services.
We must make insurance portable
and we should give individuals and
employees of small businesses
access to the same tax advantages
employees of bigger companies get.
Our immigration system is broken,
and we must take immediate action
to fix it. As the National Guard
Commander of the Laredo Sector
during Operation Jump Start, I’ve
worked to promote border security
and stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering our country. For
comprehensive immigration reform
to work, we must secure our borders,
crack down on employers who are
driving down wages by hiring illegal
immigrants, and create an earned
path to citizenship that ///
No Child Left Behind measures school
and student performance based only
on statewide test scores. It is a flawed
accountability system that emphasizes teaching to the test and diverts time
and attention from broader classroom
instruction. States should be given the
flexibility to design accountability
systems that incorporate statewide
assessments with other measures:
local assessments, teacher-designed
classroom assessments collected over
time, student portfolios, and other
measures of learning. And we need to
make sure schools ///
Ensuring that energy supplies are
abundant, reliable, and reasonably
priced will require extensive cooperation between the federal government
and the private sector. I have proposed
policies that will provide immediate
relief for Texas families, move the
United States towards energy selfsufficiency, and develop a sustainable energy and economic future for
Texas. By increasing investment in
alternative energy technologies and
improving the efficiency of our cars
and homes, we can begin to address
our nation’s energy ///
Everyone should be guaranteed
access to quality, affordable health
insurance and be expected to make
responsible choices in return. State
governments have been forced to
develop solutions to their health care
problems because Washington has
refused to address the serious issues.
I’ve called on the federal government
to expand access to the Children’s
Health Insurance Program and
Medicaid. I also propose providing
tax incentives for small businesses
that expand health insurance for
employees, closing the ///
I support securing our borders to halt
illegal immigration. People without
criminal backgrounds or intentions
to cause harm should be allowed
to immigrate legally without undue
burden. We need willing worker who
will add their productivity to our
economy. Their entry needs to be in
a controlled and legal manner.
All control of education needs to
be returned to the states and, better
yet, to the local communities and
families. The federal Department of
Education needs to be eliminated.
It has proven not to be effective at
improving the quality of education.
Tax dollars go to Washington only to
be returned to the states after administrative costs are subtracted and
with strings attached. This defies
common sense.
Remove federal regulations against
drilling and production. A free market in energy is the only workable
solution in the long term. No government subsidies for energy. Subsidies
disguise the actual cost of energy
and interfere with the natural order
of supply and demand. The rise in
prices as demand rises create a natural response of conservation and
innovation for new supply opportunities.
Deregulate the healthcare industry and
encourage a free market in healthcare.
Allow development of new healthcare delivery innovations. Allow
insur¬ance companies to devise new
products and sell across state boundaries so consumers have more choices.
Support Medical Savings Accounts.
Make all health¬care expenses 100%
tax deductible. Replace FDA with
a more responsive free market system to reduce cost of medications.
Replace Medicare with system that
give the users control over the cost
and process.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
DISt 2
Ted Poe, Republican – no response received
Craig Wolfe, Libertarian – no response received
DIST 7
John Culberson, Republican – no response received
Michael Skelly, Democrat – no response received
Drew Parks, Libertarian – no response received
DISt 9
Member of U. S. Congress. Serves in the House of Representatives. The House originates revenue bills and,
by tradition, appropriation bills. The House brings charges of impeachment for trial in the Senate. Both the
House and the Senate count electoral votes following a presidential election and, if no candidate receives
Al Green, Democrat – no response received
Brad Walters, Libertarian – no response received
a majority of electoral votes, the House chooses the President from among the top three candidates. The
member is elected for a two-year term. Rank-and-file member salary $169,300. Speaker of the House salary
$217,400; Majority and Minority Leaders salary $188,100
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
position. (50 word limit)
What is your position on a single payer
health insurance system for all Americans?
What should the government do to
promote the development and use of
alternative energy sources to reduce our
dependence on oil? (60 word limit)
Make the immigration process simpler and
allow more work visas for Latin Americans.
If we can provide a simple, more efficient way
for people to immigrate and work, we can
solve problems. Legal immigrants have auto
insurance. Legal immigrants don’t need to
steal Social Security numbers to pay taxes. If
more workers do it legally we can effectively
catch Terrorist.
That it will make the gap between the rich
and the middle class grow dramatically. The
problem with our healthcare system is government manipulation and bureaucracy, giving
Government more power will yield more
problems. Rich people will go to private hospitals and the middle class will wait in lines
for substandard care.
Create a large, nation-wide market for alternative fuels and renewable resources by
requiring government vehicles and agencies
to use more alternative fuels and renewable
resources in their everyday operations. The
U.S. Government is the biggest business in
America and the largest polluter, we as share
holders should vote/tell our government to
lead by example.
Make Homeland Security reinstate the Alien
Registration Act to track alien residents. Require non-citizens to identify themselves
as alien residents when they come in contact
with the judicial system. Enforce fines when
employers do not following existing employee
laws. Sue Mexico for health care provide to
Mexican citizens.
The federal government is not able to mange
a single payer HIS! Making each individual/
family responsible for making their health
care decision is a better system. Increasing
the Health Saving Account and a $5,000 tax
credit for each family is a beginning. The
Federal Government has no constitutional
authority to impose a national health insurance program.
We should reduce our dependence on
FOREIGN oil. We should develop all possible domestic energy sources. Many alternative sources are only economic viable with
a government subsidy or when competing
with high crude oil prices. The market will
continue to drive down crude prices when we
Drill Here, Drill Now will create job in TX 18
CD right now!
What are your recommendations to address
the problems of undocumented workers
currently in the United States and those
who wish to come to the United States
to work? (60 word limit)
(60 word limit)
DISTRICT 10
Michael T. McCaul, Republican – no response received
Larry Joe Doherty, Democrat – no response received
Matt Finkel
Libertarian
I am in my second term representing Travis
County on the Texas Libertarian Executive
Committee. I am a two-time delegate to the
Libertarian National Convention. I have lived
in the district for 11 years. I am comfortable and experienced in representing large
constituencies in large meeting with in-depth
parliamentary procedure.
John Faulk
DISTRICT 18
Republican
I am a graduate of Reagan High School (the
same school my father attended), University
of Houston BBA earned a Master of Business
Administration at U of H Clear Lake. I successfully completed the Rice University Para
Legal Program in 2007. I am a successful
career as a businessman/fund raiser.
Me gradué de la escuela secundaria Reagan
(la misma escuela a la que mi padre asistió),
la Universidad de Houston, BBA, obtuvo una
Maestría en Administración de Negocios de
la Universidad de Houston Clear Lake. Yo
completé con éxito el Programa de Paralegal
en 2007 de Rice University. Yo he tenido una
carrera exitosa como recaudador de fondos y
como empresario
Hacer que el Departamento de Seguridad de
la Patria reintegre la Ley de la Registración
para Extranjeros para rastrear a los residentes
extranjeros. Exigirle a los no-ciudadanos que
se identifiquen como residentes extranjeros
cuando ellos entren en contacto con el sistema
judicial. Hacer cumplir las multas cuando los
patrones no lo hacen siguiendo las leyes de
empleo existentes. Demandar al país de México
para que paguen por el cuidado de salud proporcionado a los ciudadanos mexicanos. ¡El gobierno federal no es capaz de administrar un sistema de salud de un solo pagador! Haciendo a cada individuo/familia responsable de las decisiones para cuidar su salud es un buen sistema. Aumentando la caja de
ahorros de Salud y un crédito al impuesto de
$5,000 para cada familia es un principio. El
Gobierno Federal no tiene la autoridad constitucional para imponer el programa de un
seguro de salud nacional. Nosotros debemos reducir nuestra dependencia del petróleo EXTRANJERO desarrollando
todas las posibles fuentes de energía domésticas. Muchas fuentes alternativas sólo son económicamente viables con un subsidio gubernamental o al competir con los precios de crudo altos. ¡El mercado continuará abaratando los precios
del crudo cuando nosotros Taladremos Aquí,
Taladremos Ahora,lo qué también creará ahora
mismo trabajos en el DC 18 de TX! Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat – no response received
Mike Taylor, Libertarian – no response received
Pete Olson
Republican
I served for almost 10-years in the U.S. Armed
Forces, as a Navy Pilot and then in the
Pentagon with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
Senate Liaison Office. On Sen. Gramm’s
staff, I was the point person for Texas projects,
and then Chief of Staff for Sen. Cornyn.
DISTRICT 22
Nick Lampson
Democrat
I am a five-term Representative and have
focused my work on improving civility in
Congress and bringing Republicans and
Democrats together to reach common-sense
solutions to our problems. I have fought for
legislation to protect kids from online predators, secure funding for NASA, and ensure
fiscal responsibility.
John Wieder
Libertarian
DIST 29
USAF Vietnam Vet 68-72,College of
Mainland 1976 AAS Computer Science, UH
1980 BBA Business Administration, Data
Base Administrator UTMB 73-80, Owner/
Broker (2) Century 21 Wieder Realty’s 80-84
Converted to Seguros y Bienes Raices 8505 Includes American National, American
General, Woodmen, Bankers, Royal
Neighbors. Not a career politician, ready to /// We must start by enforcing all our laws, ending “Sanctuary City” policies, and securing
our borders. The American people deserve
to see the federal government working to
STOP illegal immigration. I will also work to
expand efforts between local and federal law
enforcement to target criminal illegal aliens
for apprehension and deportation. Amnesty is
not an option.
We shouldn’t harm the 250 million people
with health insurance or America’s premier
delivery system. We must expand affordable and comprehensive coverage for small
business via tax deductibility and associated health plans, allow portability and implement lawsuit reform, as in Texas. I oppose
Universal health because it will put medical
decisions in the hands of government bureaucrats, not families.
Increased domestic oil production is the
starting point for energy independence. Simultaneously, we must build new nuclear
plants, develop solar, wind, biodiesel, geothermal and clean coal technologies and fund
research to discover and develop the next
energy technologies that will serve future generations. This staged approach will provide
America energy security and independence
in the future.
We cannot begin to address the issues of illegal immigration until we secure our borders. Undocumented workers must return to their
country and apply for visas like others who
go through the process legally. However,
our country is a nation of immigrants, and
our economy depends on the contributions of
skilled immigrants. We must strengthen our
legal immigration system.
Our health care system is broken and in need
of reform. I will support legislation that
increases health coverage for Americans in a
fiscally responsible manner and also ensures
that our health care system is efficient and not
overly bureaucratic. I support early buy-in
access to Medicare, and I oppose single-payer,
socialized medicine..
We need a comprehensive energy plan. I support domestic drilling in the Outer Continental
Shelf and in Alaska (ANWR). However, our
energy needs are greater than that. We must
also invest in and provide tax incentives for
other sources of energy, including wind, solar,
biodiesel, fuel cells, and much more. Energy
drives our economy, and we can’t forget that.
Undocumented workers are illegal aliens? A
plan that might work. If you are here illegally,
you must immediately register for a special
military draft. If you fail to register, deportation is automatic and businesses are guilty of
harboring a draft dodger. As long as we have
the IRS, add code for illegal aliens and drug
dealers to pay taxes.
First, I want to say that Medicaid for children
is abused by Dentists. Many children are
walking around with caps on all their baby
teeth. Health insurance should be defined and
divided as physical, optical, dental and mental
health. Offer a safety net to all Americans
only on any deficient coverage including automatic bridge coverage. Stop abuse in current
programs.
The United States spends $700 billion every
year on foreign oil. We are 4% of the world
population but use 25% of the world’s oil. We
are the Saudi Arabia of wind power. Natural
Gas is cheaper, cleaner, and 100% domestic. Adopt T Boone Picken’s energy plan by
replacing natural gas with wind power and use
natural gas for vehicles.
Eric Story, Republican – no response received
Gene Green, Democrat – no response received
Joel Grace, Libertarian – no response received
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
Six-year term (on a three-person commission). Must be a Texas resident and qualified voter, not less than
25 years old, and must have no inter¬est in any railroad. Among duties: regulation of the oil and gas industry, including drilling production and environmental protection; natural gas utility companies; natural gas
and hazardous liquids pipeline safety; surface mining of coal, uranium, and iron ore gravel, including land
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe the training and experience that qualify
you for this office? (50 words)
Michael L. Williams
Republican
rr commissioner
A Commissioner since 1999 and Chairman, I have dramatically reduced the number of abandoned wells, required operator
bonding, imposed stricter enforcement and heavier penalties,
instituted the nation’s first pipeline safety integrity assessment
and management program, required more frequent pipeline
inspections, quicker repairs and ordered the statewide removal
of unsafe pipe.
Un Comisario desde 1999 y Presidente, he reducido drásticamente el número de pozos abandonados, operador de unión
necesario, la Comisión impuso una aplicación más estricta y
penas más severas, instituido el primer gasoducto de seguridad
y la integridad de evaluación de programa de manejo, requiere
más frecuentes inspecciones de tuberías, ///
Mark Thompson
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Democrat
Mark Thompson is qualified to serve on the Railroad
Commission because he has forced the agency to protect
people instead of industry. For decades, faulty natu¬ral gas
couplings have caused home explosions. The Commission
failed to act until Mark Thompson worked to put a spotlight on
the Commission’s failures.
Mark Thompson tiene requisito a server el Commission de
Ferrocarriles porque ha fuerzado el agencia a protejer la gente
en vez de las intereses industriales. Por las ultimas decadas
hemos tenido pipas rotas a bajo de nuestras casas que han
causado explosiones. El Commision de Ferrocarriles fallo
de actuar hasta que Mark Thompson puso atencion a sus
fracasos.
David Floyd, Libertarian –
recla¬mation; transportation and storage of liquified petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, and liquified
natural gas; railroad safety; and encourages the use of clean-burning propane and researches new technologies for its use. Annual authorized salary: $137,500
What are the most pressing issues that you will face as
Railroad Commissioner and how would you address them?
(75 words)
What measures should be taken to assure the safety of
people and the environment when granting permits for oil
and gas drilling in both urban and rural areas? (75 words)
Promoting pro-growth environmental solutions to secure more
affordable, cleaner and reliable electricity and transportation
by (1) enhancing oversight of oil and natural gas drilling; (2)
encouraging investment in innovative off-peak wind energy
storage and carbon capture and sequestra¬tion technologies;
(3) advocating increased American oil exploration and the
development of alternative fuel cars, trucks and school buses;
and (4) inspiring the next generation of Texas energy scientists,
technologists, engineers and mathematicians.
State law limits consideration of whether to issue a drilling
permit to conservation of waste and correlative rights. The
legislature can expand the review. Once per¬mitted, RRC
rules ensure the well is drilled in a manner that protects the
public and the environment, e.g. mandatory blowout prevention devices for safety; and cas¬ing, cementing and waste
handling requirements to protect ground water. Municipalities
can add setback requirements to distance the well from homes
and schools.
Promover el crecimiento en favor de soluciones ambientales
para garantizar más asequibles, más limpia y fiable de electricidad y de transporte (1) mejorar la supervisión de petróleo y gas
natural de perforación; (2) fomentar la inversión en innovación
fuera de las horas punta de almacenamiento de energía eólica
y la captación de carbono y de tecnologías de secuestro; (3) la
promoción de una mayor exploración de petróleo de América y
el desarrollo de combustibles alternatives automóviles, camiones y autobuses escolares, y (4) inspirar la próxima ///
La ley estatal limita la consideración de si la expedición de
un permiso de perforación conservación de los residuos y
correlativos derechos. El legislador puede ampliar la revisión.
Una vez permitido, RRC normas garantizar el bien se taladra
en una forma que protege al público y el medio ambiente, por
ejemplo, blowout obligatorios los dispositivos de prevención
para la seguridad y la cubierta, cementación y manejo de
residuos requisitos para proteger las aguas subterráneas. Los
municipios pueden añadir ///
The most pressing issues Mark Thompson will face as
Railroad Commissioner are protecting people as industry
drills for natural gas in the Barnett Shale, improving the
permit process for drilling to streamline bureaucracy and help
lower gasoline prices, and making sure natural gas prices are
not automatically raised, creating higher utility costs for all
Texans. Mark Thompson will address these issues through
close attention, hard work, and by always putting people and
the environment first.
The measures Mark Thompson will take to protect people and
the environment when it comes to oil and gas drilling include:
making sure rigs are far from schools, homes, green spaces,
and other critical infrastructure; securing responsible disposal
plans for oilfield waste; checking operators for histories of
dumping, safety, or other violations; and finally, assessing
appropriately severe fines and taking disciplinary action for
bad operators -- when drilling adversely affects people and
property in Texas.
Los emisiones mas importantes que encontrara Mark Thompson
como Commissionero de Ferrocarriles seria: de protejer la gente
contra los taladros industriales que usan para busar por gas
natural en Barnett Shale, A mejorar el proceso de permiso de
taladros para bajar el precio de gasolina y a estar seguro que los
precios de la gas natural no cuesta mas y causa que aumentan
los precios de utilidades por la gente de Texas. Mark Thompson
seguire de luchar por la gente de Texas y trabajara duro ///
Mark Thompson va a protejer La Gente Y El Ambiento contra
los intereses de las industrias de Petroleo. El va a luchar contra
los taladros a estar seguro que no son cercas a nuestras casas,
y otras lugars preciosos tambien los va a fuerzar a limpiar la
basura que dejado la industia petroleo y va a luchar para los
derechos humanos en vez de los intereses industriales.
no response received
CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
Six-year term. Must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Texas. Must have
been a practicing lawyer or a lawyer and a judge of a court of record for a total of 10 years or more. Serves
as a member of the court of highest appellate jurisdiction in civil matters in the state; has the power to issue
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe the training and experience
that qualify you for this office? (50 words)
What does the term “activist judge” mean
to you? Does this term affect the public’s
perception of the judiciary?
Please explain (75 words)
What method of selection of judges is most
likely to result in a qualified, diverse, and
independent judiciary? (75 words)
Should a judge or justice recuse himself
or herself from cases in which the
participating lawyers, their firms, or
parties to the suit have contributed
substantially to the judge’s or justices’
election? Please explain. (75 words)
Wallace B. Jefferson
An activist judge decides cases not according to the law and the facts, but to reach a
predetermined outcome. A judge must strictly
con¬strue the law rather than impose his or
her personal view of social policy. Activist
judges undermine the public’s perception of
an impartial judiciary.
The Legislature should consider an appointment system for the appellate courts, in which
a justice must subsequently go to the voters to
retain his or her seat on the bench.
We must either rely on honest judges to
enforce the law without regard to campaign
contributions or adopt a system in which the
public funds campaigns from the general
treasury. As the Legislature is not likely to
adopt a public-finance scheme, and because
campaign expenditures are essential to seek
and retain judicial office, I would not require
recusal on the basis of campaign contributions. Our ethics laws must be enforced if a
judge demonstrates bias.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Republican
writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, and others; presides over proceedings for involuntary retire¬ments or
removal of judges. Annual authorized salary: $152,500 (Chief Justice) $150,000 (Justice)
Justice on the Supreme Court (2001-2004);
Chief Justice since 2004. As a board-certified appellate lawyer, I won cases in the
U.S. Supreme Court, Texas Supreme Court,
Fifth Circuit, and many intermediate Texas
appellate courts. I implemented a webcasting
project so that our Supreme Court arguments
are accessible to all Texans.
Juez del Tribunal Supremo de Tejas ( 2001
– 2004). Principal justicia desde 2004
Certificado - Abogado de Apelación. Gané
casos en el Tribunal Supremo de los Estados
Unidos; Tribunal Supremo de Tejas; Quinto
Circuito y muchos Tribunales de Apelación
intermedios de Tejas. Estoy ejecutando un
proyecto que nuestras discusiones del Tribunal
Supremo sean accesibles
a todos los Tejanos.
Un juez del activista decidir casos no según
la ley y los datos, pero alcanza un resultado
predeterminado. Un juez debe interpretar terminantemente la ley algo que su opinión
personal de la política social. Los jueces del
activista minan la opinión del público de una
judicatura imparcial.
La legislatura debe considerar un sistema
de nombramiento para los Tribunales de
Apelación, en quienes una justicia debe ir a
los votantes para conservar
su asiento en el banco.
Debemos confiar en jueces honestos para hacer
cumplir la ley sin consideración algunas contribuciones a la campaña o adoptar un sistema en el
cual el público financia la campaña del tesoreria
general. Puesto que la legislatura no es probable adoptar un esquema de público financiar, y
porque los gastos de la campaña son esenciales
a buscar y conservar la oficina judicial, no
requeriría extraccion en base de contribuciones
a la campaña. Nuestras leyes de éticas deben ser
hechas cumplir si un juez demuestra al sesgo.
CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Jim Jordan
An “activist judge” is one who rule to achieve
a specific result without regard to the law or
the facts in order to advance his or her own
policy agenda. When judges legislate from
the bench it diminishes the publics trust in our
judicial system and injures the stability of the
rule of law.
We need a system that focuses on the individual candidate’s experience, qualifications, and
knowledge of the law. In addition, candidates
should be screened for their judicial demeanor
and ability to abide by the rule of law. Our
judges should be jurists – not politicians.
Imagine that your life, your family, or your
business was on the line in court, and you
found out the other side gave thousands of dollars to the judge’s campaign. Texans deserve
to have faith in their judiciary. The money
required to run cheapens judges, cheapens the
judiciary, and cheapens our democracy.
Democrat
I am a present and former civil district trial
judge in Dallas County. Since 1984, I have
been board certified by the Texas Board of
Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law. In
addition, I have been teaching the law to both
students and lawyers for approximately 20
years.
CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
He sido, y ahora soy, un juez civil de distrito en
el condado de Dallas. Desde 1984, estoy certificado en Derecho Procesal Civil por la Comisión
de Especialización Legal de Texas. Además, he
dado clases de derecho a estudiantes y maestros
por aproximadamente 20 anos.
Tom Oxford
Libertarian
I am the Managing Attorney for Waldman
Smallwood PC, a firm providing legal help
to Texans for over 50 years. My experience
includes successfully arguing before both the
Texas Supreme Court and the United States
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Soy el Abogado Gerente para Waldman
Smallwood, PC, una firma que provee ayuda
legal a Tejanos por mas de 50 años. Mi experiencia incluye con éxito la discusión ante
la Corte Suprema de Tejas como el Tribunal
de Apelación de los Estados Unidos para el
Quinto Recorrido.
Un “juez activista” es aquel que dicta sentencias para lograr un resultado especifico, sin
tomar en cuenta la ley o los hechos, con el
fin de lograr el avance de su agenda publica.
Cuando los jueces legislan desde su cargo,
demeritan la confianza publica en el sistema
judicial y perjudican la estabilidad de la regla
de la ley.
A Judge has an obligation to apply existing
law to the facts of the case. An “activist judge”
makes his own law. Law making is solely the
province of the Legislature constrained only
by our state and federal constitutions. Failing
to recognize this separation of powers undermines the public’s respect for the courts.
Un Juez tiene una obligación de aplicar la
ley existente a los hechos del caso. Un “juez
activista” hace su propia ley. La fabricación
de la ley es únicamente la provincia de la
Legislatura obligada sólo por nuestras constituciones estatales y federales. El defecto de
reconocer esta separación de poderes mina el
respeto del público para los tribunales.
Necesitamos un sistema que se enfoque a la
experiencia, aptitud, y conocimiento legal
de cada candidato. Además, los candidatos
deberían tener que pasar una revisión de su
comportamiento judicial y su habilidad para
seguir la regla de la ley. Nuestros jueces deben
ser juristas – no políticos.
Election of judges, while imperfect, is the only
method likely to result in a qualified, diverse,
and independent judiciary. When the state
appoints judges they reflect only the group
in power, generally coming from only the
wealthiest and most politically connected law
firms in the state. With direct elections there is
at least some chance our state’s great diversity
will be reflected in our judiciary. La elección de jueces, mientras imperfecto, es
el único método que probablemente cause una
judicatura calificada, diversa e independiente.
Cuando el estado designa a jueces, ellos reflejan sólo el grupo en poder, que generalmente
viene de sólo el grupo màs rico y bufetes de
abogados el más relacionados políticamente
en el estado. Con elecciones directas hay al
menos alguna posibilidad la gran diversidad
de nuestro estado será reflejada en nuestra
judicatura.
Imagina que tu vida, tu familia, o tu negocio
estuvieran en juego en la corte y te enteras
que el otro lado le dio miles de dólares a la
campana del juez. Los tejanos merecen tener
fe en la sistema judicial. El dinero requerido
para campanas rebaja a los jueces, al sistema
judicial y a nuestra democracia.
Any practicing lawyer knows that influence
with a judge is often purchased through campaign contributions. Even with our best judges
human nature is such that the knowledge of
who supported them in their last campaign
cannot help but influence their decisions.
Attorneys should be barred from contributing
to the judges they practice before. A Judge
should recuse himself if a party to a suit has
contributed to the judge.
Cualquier abogado de práctica sabe que la
influencia con un juez a menudo es comprada por contribuciones de campaña. Aún
con nuestros mejores jueces la naturaleza
human es tal que el conocimiento de quién los
apoyó en su última campaña no puede menos
que influir en sus decisiones. Los abogados
deberían ser prohibidos de contribuir a los
jueces a cual ellos practican ante de. Un Juez
debería apartarse si un partido a un pleito ha
contribuido a ese juez.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Dale Wainwright
place 7
Republican
I am the incumbent seeking reelection for
Texas Supreme Court, Place 7, and I have an
abiding faith in America=s values. I am the
experienced candidate having served over
five years on the high Court, almost four years
as a trial judge, and over a decade in private
practice before ///
Sam houston
Democrat
Practiced law in Texas since graduating
Baylor Law School in 1987. Tried dozens of
cases to verdict; handled appeals in Courts of
Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court. Board
certified, personal injury trial law and civil
trial advocacy. Member, American Board of
Trial Advocates. Consistently rated AV by
Martindale Hubbell.
A non-activist judicial philosophy applies the
original intent of constitutional provisions and
the expressed intent of the Legislature in
deciding cases. This principled application of
the law, as written, is consistent with the constitutional separation of powers doctrine and
promotes fairness and predictability in the law. On the other hand, an activist judge decides
cases in a manner that improperly changes the
written law to effect his own personal or political agenda. The public recognizes ///
The Texas Constitution requires the election
of judges. There are concerns with electing
judges: fundraising, insufficient information
among the electorate on judicial candidates
and perceived political pressure. We certainly
should improve how we select judges, including changing how judicial campaigns are
funded and better educating the public on the
experience and qualifications of candidates
for judicial office. Other methods of selecting
judges have pros and cons as well.
Judge must maintain integrity on the bench
and avoid the appearance of impropriety. Laws and ethical rules seek to enforce this
objective. If a contribution to a jurist impairs
his ability to be fair and impartial, he should
either not accept the contribution or recuse
himself from the contributor’s cases.
An activist judge is one who places his or her
own feelings about a case over what the law
dictates. When judges decide cases based
on their personal beliefs instead of by proper
application of the law, trust in the legal system
is eroded. This is particularly true when
we have partisan elections requiring large
amounts of money for elections.
In a perfect world, I believe a non-partisan
election would be preferable. However, if the
judicial elections remain partisan, they should
be held on a different date than the general
election. Under the current system, judges
maintain office primarily as a result of party
affiliations and the “up ballot” votes. This
needs to change. Judges should be elected
based on their background and philosophy.
The increased need for funding has resulted in
a loss of credibility among judges. There is a
perception, at least, that judges side with political donors as opposed to ruling according
to the law. Further, campaign contributions
and the need to campaign for re-election have
politicized the judicial process to the point that
it is perceived by many to be a biased system
PLACE 7 Candidates continued on next page
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE continued
QUESTIONS TO
perception of the judiciary? Please explain
Politicians use “activist judge” to accuse a
judge of ruling based on personal beliefs
instead of according to law or legal precedent. It could also be said that an “activist judge”
is one whose ruling you disagree with. The
“activist judge” has become a useful bogeyman for politicians to blame when their objectives are blocked by unfavorable rulings even
though this is the role of the judiciary in our
constitutional system of checks and balances.
Direct election of judges results in a judiciary
that is more independent than one with judges
appointed by the governor and confirmed by
the legislature. However, most voters have neither the time nor legal background to evaluate
judicial candidates, so instead rely on party
affiliation when casting their vote. I have
proposed an independent, nonpartisan candidate review panel, with both lawyers and nonlawyers, which would evaluate candidates and
identify those most qualified to serve.
No, they should not. Although the Texas
Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to
refrain from financial transactions with lawyers who are likely to appear in their court,
the Code makes an exception allowing judges
to solicit campaign funds from attorneys. Nevertheless, the fact that campaign contributions cloud the air of impartiality that the
Code seeks to maintain is certainly one of
the negative consequences of our system of
electing judges
An “activist judge” is one who bases decisions on what that judge wants the law to be,
Republican
instead of on legal precedent, legal reasoning,
1975 Texas Tech Law School honors graduate. valid legal principles and strict construction of
Private practice of law over 20 years; super- legislation. Public perception of the judiciary
vising attorney in medium-sized law firm. is hurt by charges that judges are “activist”,
Board certified in Civil Trial and Personal even when the charges are made just because
Injury Trial law. Texas Court of Appeals someone disagrees with the result of the
Justice and Chief Justice, 1999-2005. Texas judge’s decision.
Supreme Court Justice 4/2005 to present.
I am not aware of studies relating methods of
judicial selection to quality or diversity of the
judiciary. Nor am I aware of studies relating
judicial selection methods to independence
of the judiciary. My opinion is that judicial independence depends more on the length
of the term of office than on the method of
judicial selection. The Texas Legislature has by law limited the
amount and timing of judicial campaign contributions. Limits apply to all persons, including parties, lawyers and lawfirms. A judge
need not recuse from cases solely because
of a contribution which is made within limits. However, if the circumstances might
reasonably cause a judge’s impartiality to be
questioned, then the judge should recuse from
the case.
Linda Reyna YaÑez
If we are going to continue to elect our judges
then we should have single-member districts
for the two Supreme Courts. I favor a hybrid
system of appointment/election, which has a
non-partisan screening committee, including
members of the Bar and lay citizens. There
are many models in different states in which
appointed judges stand for retention elections,
reappointment procedures, Bar polls and other
permutations. Texans should consider these
alternatives to our current process.
The current rules regarding recusal and disqualification adequately address issues of
conflicts of interest regarding the judiciary. As long as the judiciary is elected, judicial
candidates must raise money. In order to
significantly eliminate the issue of contributions and the influence they may have on the
judiciary, Texans should have a better system
of judicial selection. I support eliminating the
election of our appellate bench. No system of
judicial selection is free of political influence.
(75 words)
PLACE 7 Candidates continued from previous page
David G. Smith
Libertarian
I graduated from Cornell Law School (J.D.,
1992) with a concentration in business law and
regulation and have been licensed to practice
law in Texas since 1993. I was a managing
editor of the inaugural issue of the Cornell
Journal of Law and Public Policy.
place 7
continued
CANDIDATES:
place 8
Phil Johnson
Democrat
Senior Justice on the 13th Court of Appeals,
appointed by Gov. Ann Richards in 1993,
authored 1000’s of appellate opinions, a former
Clinical Instructor and current faculty member
of the Trial Advocacy program at Harvard Law
School. I am a former farmworker, elementary
school teacher, and legal aid lawyer.
Drew Shirley, Libertarian –
Definition depends on whose ox is being
gored. Some consider that interpretations of
the law which consider the law as alive and
responsive to changing mores in the greater
society as “activists”. Others consider that
interpretations of the law which pretend to
“interpret” the “intent” of the original writers as “activists”. Result oriented analysis
should be of concern. We need a system that
promotes a judiciary of independent thinkers
committed to the rule of law.
JUdge, Court of Criminal Appeals
Six-year term. Must be at least 35 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Texas. Must
have been a practicing lawyer or a lawyer and a judge of a court of record for at total of 10 years or more.
Among duties shared with other judges: serves as a member of the court of highest appellate jurisdiction in
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Tom Price
place 3
Republican
I have been a criminal court judge in Texas
for over 33 years. I was a County and District
Judge for over 22 years in Dallas County . I
have served on this court for 11 years. I have
served Texas as a Judge for more than half of
my life.
He sido juez de tribunal criminal en Texas más
de 33 años. Yo fui Juez de Distrito y Condado
durante mas de 22 años en el Condado
de Dallas. He servido en este tribunal durante
11 años. He servido Texas como Juez mas de
la mitad de mi vida.
criminal matters in the state; has the power to issue writs of habeas corpus and others. Annual authorized
salary: $152,500 (Presiding Judge) $150,000 (Judge)
What does the term “activist judge”
mean to you? Does this term affect the
public’s perception of the judiciary?
Activist Judges are Judges that are more
concerned with their view of the law and go
beyond legitimate interpretation to change
the law which results in citizens distrust of
Judicial decisions at every level. I am not a
Activist Judge.
Judges should not be elected on party ballots. A judge should not be evaluated by his/her
Polital views but by his/hers Judicial philosophy and demeanor. Non-partisan retention
elections where a judge is first appointed and
then placed on a retention ballot would give
voters a more informative process to retain or
reject a judge. A voter would vote yes to keep
a judge or no to seek his/her removal.
The impact of judges raising money to run
for election is a loss of voter trust in the honesty and integrity of Judges. More often than
not Judges would receive contributions from
people who appear before their courts. The
public would then question the impartiality of
the decisions from that court.
Jueces Activistas son Jueces que están más
preocupados por su priopia vista de la ley y
van más allá de la interpretación legitima para
cambiar la ley que causa la desconfianza de
ciudadanos de decisiones Judiciales en cada
nivel. Yo no soy un Juez Activista.
Los jueces no deberían ser elejidos en
votaciónes de partido. Un juez no deberia ser
evaluado por sus vistas politicas, pero por su
filosofía Judicial y comportamiento. Las elecciones de retención independientes donde un
juez es primero designado y luego colocado
en una votación de retención darían a votantes
un proceso más informativo para rentener
or rechazar a un juez. Un votante votaria si
guardar al juez or buscar su retiro.
Register! Decide! Vote!
it counts!
El empacto de jueces que levantan el dinero
para correr a la elección es una pérdida de
la confianza del votante en la honestidad y
la integridad de Jueces. Mas a menudo que
no los Jueces recibirian contribuciones de las
gente que aparece ante de sus tribunales. El
püblico preguntaria entonces las lmparcialidad de las decisiones de aquel tribunal.
JUdge, Court of Criminal Appeals
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
True “activist judges” rule without regard to
sound Constitutional principles. However, the
term is often used to describe judges who invalidate government actions on Constitutional
grounds. Since the 1803 Supreme Court
decision in Marbury v. Madison, courts have
reviewed executive and legislative acts for
compliance with the Constitution. “Activist
judges” has become an epithet sometimes
used by those who disagree with their decisions. Like many epithets, it may play to
prejudices rather than reasoned debate.
I support a merit-selection, retention-election
system along the lines of that championed by
the late Supreme Court Chief Justice John
Hill. The key to the integrity of such a process
is the choice of members of the nomination
commission. I believe that, with leadership
and commitment, Texans can find a way to
provide for a broad-based, bipartisan commission whose nominees will be a credit to
the State judiciary.
Yes. But recusal is not the answer to the corrupting influence of money on the judicial
process. Texas limits ($5000/individual and
$30,000/law firm) attempt to set an amount
that is presumably too low to buy (much)
influence. But instead many lawyers contribute to avoid perceived retaliation. Either way
the contribution undermines judicial integrity. Expensive campaigns also discourage qualified applicants. Public financing, as recommended by the American Bar Association, is
the best solution.
(75 words)
Susan Strawn
Democrat
A native Houstonian, Susan Strawn prosecuted cases nationwide for twelve years with the
US Justice Department. She spent four years
as a senior federal law enforcement and judicial reform advisor in Kosovo and Africa. She
graduated from UT Law School with honors,
and teaches at UH Law Center.
place 3
continued
Susan Strawn, quien es oriunda de Houston,
trabajó como fiscal presentando casos en toda
la nación con el Departamento de Justicia
de los EE.UU. Trabajó cuatro años como
asesora senior de cumplimiento legal federal y reforma judicial en Kosovo y África.
Se graduó de la Escuela de Derecho de la
Universidad de Texas con honores y enseña
en el Centro ///
Matthew E. Eilers
Libertarian
I was licensed by the Supreme Court of
Texas in 1989, and was engaged in the private
practice, including criminal law, in Austin for
almost a decade.
Recibí mi licencia por El Tribunal Supremo de
Texas en 1989. Yo tenía mí propio bufete en
Austin, y defendí clients con asuntos penales.
Paul Womack
Republican
place 4
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Judge Paul Womack seeks reelection to the
Court of Criminal Appeals. He was elected
in 1996 and 2002. He was the First Assistant
District Attorney in Georgetown, where he
lives with his wife. Judge Womack has taught
law school for 24 years and is a board-certified specialist in criminal law.
El juez Paul Womack busca la reelección al
Tribunal de Atracciones Criminales. El fue
elegido en 1996 y 2002. El fue el Primer
Fiscal del distrito Ayudante en Georgetown,
donde él vive con su mujer. El juez Womack
ha enseñado facultad de derecho durante 24
años y es un especialista tabla-certificado en
el derecho penal.
Los verdaderos “jueces activistas” emiten sus
sentencias sin tomar en cuenta los principios
constitucionales establecidos. No obstante,
el término se usa con frecuencia para describir a los jueces que invalidan las acciones
del gobierno por razones Constitucionales.
Desde la decisión del Tribunal Supremo en
1803 en Marbury v. Madison, los tribunales
han revisado las leyes ejecutivas y judiciales para asegurarse de que cumplan con la
Constitución. “Juez activista” se ha convertido
en un epíteto que a veces utilizan las personas
que no están de acuerd ///
An activist judge is one who places his personal or political agenda above the administration of justice. It is my belief that, with
some notable exceptions, judicial activism
is really more an issue of perception than an
actual problem.
Un juez activísta pone su agenda personal o
política mas arriba de la administración de
justicia. Yo creo que activismo de los jueces
no es un problema verdadera, sino una question de percepción.
“Activist judge” may describe a judge who
uses a lawsuit to decide a broad issue of public
policy that could be left to the legislative and
executive branches of government. This has
not been a problem at the Court of Criminal
Appeals, where the issues are limited to applying the law and deciding when someone
should have a new trial because of an error
in his case.
El “juez de activista” puede describir a un juez
que utiliza un pleito para decidir un asunto
ancho de la política pública que podría ser
dejada a las ramas legislativas y ejecutivas de
gobierno. Esto no ha sido un problema en el
Tribunal de Atracciones Criminales, donde
los asuntos son limitados a aplicar la ley y
decidiendo cuando alguien debe tener un
nuevo ensayo a causa de un error en su caso.
Estoy a favor de un sistema de retención-elección basado en la selección por mérito como el
que promovió el Juez Presidente del Tribunal
Supremo John Hill, que en paz descanse. La
clave para la integridad de dicho proceso está
en los miembros a escoger de la comisión
de nominaciones. Creo que, con liderazgo y
compromiso, los tejanos pueden encontrar una
manera de proveer para una comisión de base
amplia y bipartita cuyos nominados serán
valiosos para la rama judicial del Estado.
The Texas Constitution has established that
judges are selected by public election rather
than by appointment, which, although not a
perfect system, best ensures that the judges
are independent from political pressures that
would arise from being appointed by a political figure or committee.
La Constitución de Texas establecio que los
jueces son seleccionados por las elecciónes
publicas, aunque no es un sistema perfecto,
cual es mejor que selección por figuras politicas. Asi son mas independientes y sienten
menos presión de la politica.
Electing judges on partisan ballots has worked
fairly well at the local level, where the voters
can have personal knowledge of the candidates. It is less satisfactory in statewide races,
where paid advertising is the main way of
reaching voters.
Elegir a jueces en votaciones partidistas han
trabajado bastante bien en el nivel local, donde
los votantes pueden tener el conocimiento
personal de los candidatos. Es menos satisfactorio en carreras a todo el estado, donde
pagó la publicidad es la principal manera de
alcanzar a votantes.
Sí. Pero el recusarse no es la solución para la
influencia del dinero que corrompe el proceso
judicial. Los límites de Texas ($5,000/por
individuo y $30,000 por bufete legal) intentan
establecer una cantidad que presuntamente
es demasiado baja para comprar (mucha)
influencia. Sin embargo, muchos abogados
contribuyen para evitar lo que perciben como
posibles represalias. De cualquier manera la
contribución socava la integridad judicial. El
alto costo de una campaña también desanima
a los candidatos calificados. La mejor solución, según lo ha recomendado el Colegio ///
Absolutely. A judge who has received contributions from participants in litigation can consciously or unconsciously shade his rulings in
favor of such participants, which certain has
a detrimental impact on those cases. More
serious is that the general failure of judges to
recuse themselves has a corrosive effect on the
public trust in the judiciary. I have vowed not
to hear any case affiliated with any contributor to my campaign, in the event I am ///
Definitivo. Dinero de los participantes del
corte del juez puede afectar el caso, sin querer or con querer, en una manera negativa. El
problema mas serio es que el publico pierde fe
en la sistema juridica. He prometido que yo no
voy a escuchar ningun caso cuando un participante ha contribuido a mi campaña.
The need to pay for advertising in statewide
judicial elections is the root of this problem.
Judges should not be obligated to those who
make large contributions, and there should not
be an appearance that a judge is=2 0obligated.
For this reason, I do not seek campaign contributions, and I do not accept contributions
from lawyers.
La necesidad de pagar por la publicidad en
elecciones judiciales a todo el estado es la
raíz de este problema. Los jueces no deben
ser obligados a los que hacen contribuciones
grandes, y no deben haber una apariencia
que un juez es obligado. Para esta razón, yo
no busco contribuciones de campa a, y yo no
acepto contribuciones de abogados.
INVESTIGUE DÓNDE VOTA SU PRECINTO EL DÍA DE LAS ELECCIONES:
Llame al 713.755.6965
ó al 713.368.2200
www.harrisvotes.com
or www.hcvoter.net
JUdge, Court of Criminal Appeals continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
An activist judge or judiciary group allows for
deviation from standing doctrines, practices
Democrat
and common sense. Recently the US Supreme
I received my BA and JD degrees, UT Austin. Court ruled that a ratified treaty binds the
I have 36 years of experience as a felony national government but not individual states. prosecutor and defense counsel and have been A Texas High Court closed the courthouse
Board Certified for 31 years. I have pros- to prevent the filing of an appeal. The same
ecuted and defended capital cases. I have tried court also disallowed an appeal because a
some 250 jury trials and I have filed some 75 team lawyer signed the papers rather than the
lead attorney. The public will not accept form
appeals.
over substance.
Recibí mi educacion en la Universidad de
Texas. Desde 1972 he sido fiscal de casos Un juez activo o un grupo de jueces permiten
penales y abogado defensor. Tambien he par- de divertir de doctrinas antiguas. La Corte
ticipado en casos con pena capital y en mas Suprema dirigió que un Tratado obliga el
de 250 juicios de jurado y como 75 casos de goberno federal pero no los estados del EU.
apelación y miles de casos con juicio de juez. Una Corte de Texas cerró la casa de corte para
no recibir una apelación de un preso y tambien
rehusó otra apelación por razon de firma de un
abogado pero no del lider del equipo de abogados. La gente no acepta estas manos sucias.
Electing judges in non partisan contests
would be a better method of selecting judges. Human experience teaches us that no matter
the method, political partisanship would play
a large part. Selection by commission and then
standing for election on a retention basis is
not the answer. Such an appointed or elected
commission would be political at its birth.
No. Supporters of any campaign are giving first amendment money. As long as we
have elections there will be contributors. Representatives to Congress and Senators and
presidential candidates receive huge contributions and they are lobbied directly by these
supporters. In Court the rules do not allow
such lobbying and all persuasive arguments
are presented in open court. The maximum
contribution to judges is small compared to the
aforementioned elected officials.
Dave Howard
One would like to think that a committee
which reviews the qualifications of judges
would best choose the most competent individuals. However, some of the best judges I
have practiced before were not necessarily the
greatest legal minds, but were possessed of
simple common wisdom. The voter can best
choose these judges.
A judge should recuse himself if the contribution has been made during the pendency of the
case. However, the only money judges usually
get is going to be from attorneys familiar with
them. Without these contributions, there is no
election fund. If a contribution can be made
anonymously, so much the better.
Judicial selection should be a non competitive,
merit based process that minimizes political
and financial influences. A non partisan
commission should name potential appointees
who would then be subject to selection by the
Governor and approval of the Legislature. Judges should serve a maximum 10 year term
but should be eligible for reappointment.
Judicial selection should be a non competitive,
merit based process that minimizes political
and financial influences. A non partisan
commission should name potential appointees
who would then be subject to selection by the
Governor and approval of the Legislature. Judges should serve a maximum 10 year term
but should be eligible for reappointment.
La selección de jueces debe ser un proceso sin
competición, con base de mérito que minimiza las influencias políticas y financieros.
Una comisión independiente debe nombrar los
candidatos potenciales, quienes estarían sujetos a la selección del gobernador y aprobación
de la legislatura. Los jueces deben servir un
mandato no más de 10 años, pero debe poder
reunir los requisitos para otro mandato.
Un jurista debe retirar de alguna causa donde
un donante a su campaña comparece como
un pleiteante o abogado ante ese jurista. Esta
ley estricta debe aplicar si la contribución sea
sustancioso o mínimo y también debe aplicar
a las personas quien da apoyo que no son monetario. Los tejanos merecen una judicatura
independiente e imparcial, sin las relaciones
especiales a abogados ciertos o sus clientes.
(75 words)
place 4
continued
J. R. Molina
Libertarian
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
I was licensed to practice law in 1993, having
received my JD from St. Mary’s University
School of Law. Since that time, I have practiced in various areas, including probate law,
family law, and for the last 8 years exclusively,
criminal law.
The term “activist judge” should mean someone who takes advantage of his or her position
to thwart the intentions of the Constitution
to advance a personal agenda. However, the
term has become virtually meaningless.
Conservatives accuse “liberal” judges when
they interpret a law as contrary to the intentions
of the Consitution. Liberals accuse conservatives of activism when they favor the economic
freedom of corporations over the needs of individuals. Neither case is necessarily activist.
Cathy Cochran, Republican –
William Bryan Strange, III
Libertarian
place 9
I served as a Naval Officer and am a combat
veteran of the Vietnam War. I hold the following degrees: BA in political science (SMU);
Juris Doctor (George Washington University)
and Science Masters (MIT). I have over 28
years experience as an attorney and business
manager.
Serví como un oficial naval y soy un veterano
de combate de la Guerra de Vietnam. Tengo
los títulos siguientes: soltero del grado en
ciencia política (SMU); juris doctor (George
Washington University); master ciencia
(MIT). Tengo más de 28 años de experiencia
como abogado y director de negocios.
De elegir jueces sin apoyo de ningun partido
politico se parece ser mas justo. Asi cada candidato se presenta con sus calificaciones sin
la sombra de un partido sucio o en la luz de
un partido luminoso. Pero en nuestra sistema,
la mano pesada del los caudillos siempre
manda y asi no hay esperanza de reformas. Un
comisión, eligido o designado, es un comisión
politico a su nacimiento.
No. Moneda como apoyo a campañas es un derecho basico constituciónal. Los Representantes
del Congresso, Senadors y candidatos de presidente reciben millones y estos donadores se
presentan directamente con los elegidos para
tomar apoyo a sus negocios. La etica de corte
no permite lo miso con jueces. Es requirido de
presentar las oraciones en la corte y en publico.
La contribución máxima por ley a jueces es
pequeña comparada a otros elegidos.
no response required
“Activist judges” go beyond deciding a case
and exert power to change the social order. Judicial activism can advance any agenda
or political philosophy. Jurists should only
pursue justice for the persons before the court. Activism undermines public faith in the judiciary, subverts the legislative and executive
processes and upsets the balance of power in
our democracy.
“Jueces activita” hacen más que decidir un
caso y se esfuerzan su autoridad a cambiar el orden social. Activismo judicial puede
avanzar alga agenda o filosofía política. Los
juristas deben seguir solo la justicia para las
personas ante del tribunal. Activismo socava
la fe pública en el poder judicial, subvierte los
procesos legislativos y ejecutivos y disgusta el
equilibrio de fuerzas en nuestra democracia.
trustee, state board of education
Four-year terms. Must be at least 26 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Texas for at
least 12 months, a district resident for at least 12 months, and a registered Texas voter. Composed of 15
members elected from roughly equally populous State Board of Education districts, the Board adopts rules
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
DISTRICT 6
Terri LeO, Republican –
10
and establishes policies that govern a wide range of educational programs and services provided by Texas
public schools. The Board establishes goals for the public school system and adopts and promotes four-year
plans for meeting those goals. Annual authorized salary: none
What are the most pressing public education issues facing the State Board of
Education, and how would you address
them? (75 word limit)
How can you, as a member of the State
Board of Education, help the increasingly
diverse student population of Texas achieve
success in education, in careers, and in civic
participation? (75 word limit)
When the State Board of Education considers revisions to the science curriculum
in Texas, what will be your position on
the current requirement that evolution be
taught as science? (75 word limit)
Unfortunately there’s not much I can do
directly, because the real answer lies in school
choice and the benefits of free-market-based
education. Possible the best thing I can do is
use the high profile of this office to advocate
for legislative reforms. The activities of the
SBOE are mostly like rearranging the deck
chairs on the Titanic.
It’s terrible that the State Board of Education
even has to consider this question. Unfortunately,
one-size-fits-all government school systems
always result in this kind of vicious battle. I
will vote that this question be left up to local
school districts to the greatest extent possible.
I will also advocate for legislative changes to
allow parents to education their children in
accordance with their beliefs and desires
Mary Ann Bryan
Libertarian
I have many years of experience watching
public schools fail our children. This experience has given me the determination to fight
for private education, not government schools.
I will not accept that the answer to failed public
schools is more money and more state control.
The most pressing issue is the terrible quality and
the absurdly high cost of government-run education. I would try to help reduce this problem by
returning as much power to local districts as possible. I would try to ease or eliminate curriculum
requirements, spending mandates, and testing
mandates. I understand that the real answer is
legislative reform to create school choice and
reduce the power of the public school industry.
trustee, state board of education continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
What are the most pressing public education issues facing the State Board of
Education, and how would you address
them? (75 word limit)
David Bradley, Republican –
Laura Ewing
DISTRICT 7
Democrat
Training: •Bachelor’s: Secondary Education
•Master’s: Educational Leadership •Extensive
additional training in how children learn,
educational politics and finances; Experience:
•24 years teacher •10 years specialist working
with teachers, librarians, character education
programs, textbook adoption, staff development •5 years on Friendswood City Council
How can you, as a member of the State
Board of Education, help the increasingly
diverse student population of Texas achieve
success in education, in careers, and in civic
participation? (75 word limit)
When the State Board of Education considers revisions to the science curriculum
in Texas, what will be your position on
the current requirement that evolution be
taught as science? (75 word limit)
By including a greater variety of courses for
graduation credit, the SBOE can better meet the
diverse needs of the student population. NonEnglish speaking students need opportunities
to learn English while studying the required
subjects. Students who are not college-bound
need additional class options with rigorous
standards that will prepare them for the work
world. Courses also need to include standards
that prepare students for civic responsibilities
through authentic learning experiences.
As a parent and a person of faith, I want public
schools to prepare our children to succeed in
the 21st century. That means public schools
should teach accurate, scientific accounts of
the theory of evolution. Schools should also
respect the freedom of families and congregations to educate their children about their own
religious beliefs regarding creation. Public
schools have no business deciding whose religious beliefs to teach in science classes.
SBOE needs to: •Address the increasing dropout rate •Prepare students for the 21st century
•Ensure responsible investment of the $25 billion Permanent School Fund for our children’s
educational future; I will: •Promote more
vocational courses for graduation •Consult
with experts and study relevant research before
making decisions •Ensure that all courses
have specific, rigorous, and relevant curriculum standards •Make reasonable decisions
that will respect and support the teachers’ ///
Richard R. Johnson, Libertarian –
State Senator
Member of the Senate must be at least 26 years old, registered voter for at least five years, and resident
of the district for at least one year. The Senate confirms gubernatorial appointments to administrative and
judicial posts. It participates in the initiation of proposals for constitutional amendments. It canvasses the
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
position? (50 word limit)
4
DISTRICT 6
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Republican
I have a B.A. in Political Science with a minor
in criminal Justice from TSU. I work in the
refrigeration. My political experience is that I
will make a different. /// Is current state tax policy sufficient to
finance state government needs, such
as public education, public safety, and
bridge and road maintenance? If not, what
Public schools, once again, are in
severe financial straits. What additional
legislation would you recommend to
address this problem?
(60 word limit)
running unopposed in District 4
I would support legislation that would raise
the fines and fees of those companies that are
not commit to becoming conservative and
cost effective by saving energy.
Yes! The current state tax policy is more than
sufficient to finance our state government
needs. We, the voters, have approve over
$5 billion for state bridges and road maintenance; and Harris county voters have approve
another $300 million for the same propose. HISD recently had to give away, over $14
million to the State’s Robin Hood program. HISD also /// The Texas Lotto contributes over $1billion
to public education and school districts continue to raise school property taxes and yet
public schools are in financial straits. Why? Because, of school districts financial mismanagement. I would recommend legislation that
would hold school broad members and superintendent accountable for mismanagement of
their school district.
In 2007 I supported legislation to provide
resources making wind energy cost effective. These incentives have resulted in a huge
private investment in wind energy, making
Texas the country’s leader in wind energy production. Energy conservation is a priority for
me and I will use this model – incentives over
punishment – in advocating for alternative
energy initiatives and additional conservation
programs.
Our state budget is $168 billion, more than
enough to address our needs if we eliminate
waste, direct education funds into the classroom, and identify efficiencies in health care.
In 2007, I voted against the budget because it
had become bloated with government waste.
I will continue to stand for fiscally conservative policies that assure taxpayer funds are
used wisely.
Currently, less than half of every education
dollar ends up in the classroom. We must
direct a much higher percentage of school
funding into the classroom and allow local
school district to make financial decisions that
will give them the freedom to innovate and
reward teachers with better pay.
I support any common-sense initiatives to
help us shift from fossil fuels to a full range
of clean alternative energy. Texas should be
the national leader in such initiatives, which is
why I also support the proposed plan to invest
in transmission lines to bring wind power
from West Texas to metropolitan areas like
Houston and Galveston.
Public schools, public health, public safety,
and public infrastructure systems all require
more investment, not less. But property taxes
are already too high, and a proposal in Austin
to raise the sales tax is exactly the wrong solution. I support eliminating taxpayer subsidies
to foreign corporations and other unnecessary
spending to free up resources for what matters most.
The state-to-local ratio of school funding is
38-62 — the lowest state portion since WWII. Let’s reverse this ratio to give local taxpayers
relief, then make public education the first
item approved in the state budget, not the last. If we get education right, everything else will
follow. If we get it wrong, not much else will
matter.
Mario V. Gallegos, Jr., Democrat – no response received
Susan DElgado, Libertarian – no response received
Mike Jackson
Republican
I’ve lived and worked in Senate District 11
more than 30 years and have 20 years as a
member of the State Legislature. My priorities
have been to help create jobs, improve education and preserve our environment as well as
fighting to cut spending in Austin and keep
taxes low.
DISTRICT 11
Tommy Williams, Republican –
Gilbert Pena
returns in elections for governor and lieutenant governor. The Senate tries officials impeached by the
House. Senate members also serve as advocate for citizens in the members home district. State Senators
are elected for a term of four years.
Joe Jaworski
Democrat
I earned my bachelor’s from North Carolina’s
Davidson College and my law degree from the
University of Texas at Austin. I served three
terms on the Galveston City Council, the last
as Mayor Pro-Tem, and practice mediation
and maritime law in state and federal courts
around the country.
Me educé en Davidson College en North
Carolina y recibí mi licencia en derechos de la
Universidad de Texas en Austin. Fui elegido
tres veces al Ayuntamiento de Galveston,
la última vez como Alcalde Provisional, Mi
profesión es la mediación y derecho marítimo
en tribunales estatales y federales.
Apoyo cualquier iniciativa racional para
ayudarnos cambiar de hidrocarburos a una
gama completa de energía alternativa y limpia. Texas puede ser el líder nacional en tales
iniciativas, y pore so también apoyo el plan
propuesto para invertir en líneas de transmisión para traer la energía del viento a áreas
metropolitanas como Houston y Galveston.
Las escuelas públicas y otros sistemas públicos de salud e infraestructura requieren más
inversión, no menos. Los impuestos sobre la
propiedad inmobiliaria ya están altos, y una
propuesta para aumentar impuestos sobre ventas no es la solución. Apoyo la eliminación de
subsidios a corporaciones extranjeras y otro
gastos innecesarios para poder usar nuestros
recursos en lo que de versa importa.
El estado paga 38 porciento de los gastos de
educación pública, y contribuyentes locales
pagan 62 porciento, la porción más alta desde
la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Las escuelas
públicas merecen ser el primer artículo aprobado en el presupuesto estatal, no el último.
Si logramos arreglar la educación pública,
todo lo demás seguirá bien. Si no, lo demás
no importará.
Cliff Messina, Libertarian – no response received
Your vote is your voice. Be Heard
11
State Representative
Member of the House of Representatives must be 21 years of age and a legal resident of the state for
at least two years and resident of the district from which they are elected at least one year. All bills for
revenue and appropriation of funds for operation of state government originate in the House. Members
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
this position. (50 word limit)
Patricia Harless
Republican
duties include initiation of proposals for constitutional amendments, serving as an advocate for citizens in
their home district and bringing any charges of impeachment for trial in the Senate. They are elected for a
two-year term.
I would support the creation of initiatives to
encourage energy conservation in the form
of tax rebates.
Yes, we are taxing plenty. The problem is the
money is not getting appropriated properly. Texas government continues to take money
that is taxed for a specific purpose and divert it
to other areas of government spending leaving
funding shortages in the intended areas. This
must be stopped.
Make the WADA formulas less difficult to
understand so the school districts can plan
accordingly. Quit passing unfunded mandates. If the state requires schools to provide
more services then we need to compensate
them appropriately.
I would support legislation to create sales tax
abatements on the purchase of energy efficient
appliances and vehicles; legislation that would
allow a one-year property tax abatement for
homes and buildings certified as “Green” by
the U.S. Green Building Council; and legislation to give homeowners one-time property
tax abatements for energy-efficient modifications such as through re-insulation, installing
solar panels, etc.
I would propose the state look toward less
regressive taxes to fund public needs, including considering a value added tax to compliment the current gross receipts tax (which
would require modification). I do not support
a personal income tax, and believe we must
reduce the tax burden on homeowners.
The new tax system passed in 2006 provided
no new funds for public education. I would
propose that the legislature examine the possibility of requiring sales price disclosure for
home sales to make property tax appraisals
more accurate (and to thus generate a better
standard of revenue), and “sunsetting” some
existing tax exemptions on businesses and
large corporations.
I would support property tax exemptions for
homeowners who invest in home weatherization and other energy conservation efforts. I
would also support increased enforcement
of environmental regulations and utilize the
revenue to fund such a program.
I believe we are failing to meet our infrastructural needs. I believe we must put an end
to Gov. Perry’s corporate slush fund, while
also studying new revenue streams, such as
legalized gambling. However, I would also
consider a review of tax exemptions in the
tax code and home sales price disclosure. Enforcing environmental regulations will also
increase revenue.
We must invest in our public schools to ensure
we have a prepared workforce in the future. We must increase the state’s current share of
school funding, while also reprioritizing funding formulas to ensure equity throughout the
state. We must also commit to seeking new
revenue streams to ensure property owners
are not overburdened at the local level.
None. There are already too many laws and
regulations.
Reduce the State programs to reduce taxes.
Get Government out of the education business
and stop compulsive education. Eliminate
publicly funded schools and education; leave
education to the private sector and parents.
DISTRICT 126
I’m a successful small businessperson. As a
business Owner I understand the importance
of profitability and accountability. I will bring
common business sense to government. My
BS in Business management and 26 years of
service to the community has proven me to be
a responsive public servant.
Chad Khan
Democrat
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree from
the University of Karachi, Attend San Jacinto
College for 2 years. Own two small businesses; I served more than 10 years as a President
for Home Owner Association, Serving as a
Board of Director for Harris County Municipal
Utility District, and serve ///
(60 word limit)
Oscar J. Palma, Jr., Libertarian – no response received
Joe A. Montemayor
Democrat
I served four years in the U.S. Navy before
embarking on a 26-year career as a Deportation
Officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. After retiring, I became a small business owner. I have made a career of serving
constituents and know I am qualified to serve.
Justo Perez
Libertarian
Informed Citizen @ Objectivist Philosophy.
WAYNE SMITH, Republican –
John E. Davis, Republican – no response received
Sherrie L. Matula
Democrat
Allen Fletcher, Republican – no response received
William B. Gray, jr., Libertarian – no response received
Alma A. Allen, Democrat –
Bill Callegari, Republican – no response received
Phil Kurtz, Libertarian – no response received
DISTRICT 133
130
Currently a science education consultant in public schools, served two terms on the Clear Creek
ISD school board and was a 25-year classroom
teacher. Lobbied the Legislature for 30 years on
behalf of education. President of the Middlebrook
Community Association and member of the
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
The cheapest, quickest and cleanest way to
meet our energy needs is to reduce our energy
demand through energy efficiency and conservation. One way would be to expand the
Lone Star Program, which lends money to
help state agencies, universities, municipalities and school districts implement projects
to reduce energy use and pay back the loan
through energy savings.
131
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132
DISTRICT 129
128
DISTRICT 127
Joe Crabb,Republican – no response received
12
Jim Murphy
Republican
I graduated from Strake Jesuit and UT Austin
and spent the last 20 years leading Westchase
District, adding over $1 billion in new development. I served on the HCC Board from
1997-2006. Served as State Representative
and Freshman Legislative Class President this
past session and passed more bills than any
other freshman.
The entire tax system needs to be restructured. Some of the problems with the current
structure are that the Legislature passed a new
tax on businesses that they are required to pay
even when they are losing money, Texas has
among the highest sales tax in the nation and
property taxes are too high in Harris County.
Schools must be adequately funded to provide
a quality education for all of our students. The
Legislature needs to halt unfunded mandates,
as well as update the funding formula for
transportation, which has not been changed
since 1984. Taxing authority should go back
to local school boards, since they are accountable to the public who elected them
I will promote conservation as part of plan to
achieve energy independence and to improve
our environment. While cost savings will
spur expanded private sector efforts, I will
introduce legislation to require that a conservation/energy savings analysis be in any
contract for goods or services to be purchased
by the State so the public can also benefit from
conservation efforts.
Our projected tax revenues for the next budget will produce a surplus of several billion
over our current budget so new taxes are not
needed nearly as much as priority decisions to
fund the most critical functions of State government. Stopping or reducing the diversions
of the gas tax could increase our highway
funding by more than two billion dollars.
Cutting the red tape of excess regulations and
testing for high-performing schools will free
up scarce resources and direct them to the
classroom where they will do the most good. Districts have been hit hard with increased
fuel, insurance, and utility costs so I will support increasing the State funding formula.
State Representative continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
134
133
continued
Kristi Thibaut
Democrat
As a native Texan and UT-Austin graduate
with 20 years of experience in the non-profit
and private sectors and in government, I am
well qualified to serve. My experience and
the values I was raised with are the basis of
my commitment to helping people through
public service.
I support improving energy efficiency standards for new construction, as well as “weatherization” of existing structures to improve
efficiency. Additionally, our utility providers
should be challenged to achieve some reduction in demand through increased efficiencies.
Improved vehicle mileage standards would
also help reduce our energy consumption.
(60 word limit)
State tax policy is a complex, difficult issue.
However, it is clear the current system is not
working. Too many of Texans’ basic needs
are not being met, and yet the current system
unfairly burdens homeowners, particularly in
the major urban areas where property valuations have skyrocketed. We do need more
revenue, and a fairer way of getting it.
We must achieve a long-term funding solution
for Texas public schools. The new business
tax offers no new resources for education,
unduly burdens small businesses and sticks
homeowners with most of the bill. I support the Hochberg Amendment, which would
raise homeowner exemptions while increasing funds for schools. Decreasing emphasis
on testing and empowering our teachers will
improve our schools.
I support maintaining low taxes for all Texans. I’d like to focus on efficiency of services
through automation where possible. I believe
we have the money we need to provide, and
even enhance, services in Texas. However,
if more state revenue is required, I favor
enabling new or increased business revenues
that result in higher revenue for Texas.
My district includes Cy Fair ISD, now the lowest funded school district in all of Houston. I
am currently working with CFISD leaders to
build ideas to solve this crisis as this is not an
easy challenge to fix and we must leverage
group genius to do so. This will be my number 1 priority in the 2009 legislative session.
Joe Agris, Republican – no response received
Ellen Cohen, Democrat – no response received
Mhair S. Dekmezian, Libertarian – no response received
Gary Elkins, Republican – no response received
DIST 135
Trey S. Fleming
Democrat
I have degree in political science and business and worked on staff for Governor Bush,
Senator Hutchison and a US Congressional
campaign before going into the private sector
10 years ago. I work for a global management
and IT consulting firm in the energy sector,
primarily focused on Utility companies.
I support corporate tax incentives for employees working remotely, for corporations operating in an energy and environmental friendly
way and for better city and statewide mass
transit (light and heavy rail). I’d also like to
see a more intelligent Utility grid that enables
collaboration between utility companies and
consumers for on/off peak time electricity
usage.
136
Alfred N. Montestruc, Libertarian – no response received
Beverly Woolley, Republican – no response received
Gerald W. “Jerry” LaFleur, Libertarian – no response received
Scott Hochberg
DISTRICT 137
Democrat
Recognized as one of Texas “Ten Best”
Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine;
Honored by Texas PTA for work improving public schools; Passed legislation closing
loopholes in environmental laws, preventing
overbilling by hospitals, lowering DWI limit,
and strengthening nuisance law enforcement
against crime havens. Owns and operates
software development business.
Reconocido como uno de los “Diez Mejores”
legisladores de Texas por la revista Texas
Monthly; Honorado por el Texas PTA por el
trabajo para mejorar las escuelas públicas;
Pasó legislación para cerrar las escapatorias
en las leyes ambientales, para evitar el sobre
cargo de los hospitales, para bajar el límite del
DWI, y para reforzar la ejecución de las leyes
del fastidio contra los refugios de crímenes.
Tiene y opera un negocio de desarrollo de
software.
Cutting demand saves money and provides
cleaner air by keeping the least efficient, most
expensive, generators turned off. We should
improve efficiency through energy efficient
building codes and replacement incentives
for older, less efficient industrial equipment.
With more advanced metering, consumers
should be informed when peak charges are in
effect so they can save by limiting energy use
during peaks.
Cortar demanda ahorra dinero y provee aire
más limpio cuando los generadores menos
eficientes (más caros) son apagados. Nosotros
deberíamos mejorar la eficiencia con códigos
de energía eficientes y incentivos para reemplazar el equipo industrial más viejo y menos
eficiente. Con medidores más avanzados, los
consumidores deben de ser informados cuando cargos máximos estén en efecto para que
así puedan limitar el uso de energía y ahorrar.
We have budget surpluses, but instead of
keeping college tuitions low, investing in our
highways, and improving schools, the surpluses are being used for tax breaks most Texans
never see. Meanwhile tuitions skyrocket and
our highways are leased to foreign investors.
We must put affordable college, safe transportation, and excellent neighborhood schools
ahead of tax breaks aimed at the wealthiest.
The tax plan passed to “fix” school finance
gives schools no new money, forcing schools
to again rely on property tax increases to keep
up with inflation. School funding should be
based on students, their educational needs,
and what’s necessary to hire, train and keep
the best teachers and principals. We must
also reinstate school performance reviews to
minimize waste.
Nosotros tenemos excesos en el presupuesto,
pero en vez de mantener las colegiaturas universitarias bajas, de invertir en nuestras carreteras, y de mejorar las escuelas, los excesos
están siendo usados para dar descansos en los
impuestos que muchos Tejanos nunca verán.
Mientras tanto las colegiaturas están subiendo
y nuestras carreteras están siendo arrendadas
a inversionistas extranjeros. Nosotros debemos poner universidades baratas, transportación segura, y escuelas sobresalientes antes
de dar descansos en los impuestos para los
más adinerados.
El plan de impuestos que fue pasado para
“arreglar” las finanzas de las escuelas no les
da dinero nuevo, esto fuerza a las escuelas otra
vez a tener que contar con los aumentos de los
impuestos de propiedad para poder continuar
con la inflación. La recaudación de fondos
para las escuelas deberían de ser basados en
los estudiantes, sus necesidades educacionales, y lo que es necesario para emplear,
entrenar y retener los mejores maestros y
directores. Nosotros debemos reintegrar la
valoración del desempeño de las escuelas para
reducir el malgasto.
We must be sure to spend taxpayer money
wisely. Taxpayers are the ones working hard
and financing state government. Our job is to
eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse while prioritizing state spending. Families across Texas
budget and prioritize, so must the legislature. Additionally, I believe in keeping taxes low
in order to encourage economic growth, job
creation, and prosperity.
We need to end Robin Hood. Both HISD and
SBISD, the two main districts I represent, are
sending local property tax money away to
other school districts. We need our local tax
revenue right here in our districts. The state
needs to spend a greater percentage of General
Revenue on education and bring teacher salaries up to the national average.
Alex Cresswell, Libertarian – no response received
DISTRICT 138
Dwayne Bohac
Republican
Small business owner; Founder, Save our
Neighborhoods/Northwest Coalition; Honors
graduate, Texas A&M University--B.B.A.
Marketing, B.S. Political Science; Elected
State Rep. November 2002; Born and raised
in Oak Forest; Reside in Spring Branch;
Member, White Oak Bayou Association;
Member, Trees for Houston; Husband and
father; Member, Second Baptist Church.
Co-founded the Legislative Air Quality
Caucus, which advances clean air solutions.
Co-authored HB 3693 which increased efficiency standards on state buildings and created a sales tax holiday on energy efficient
appliances. Joint-authored HB 2293 which
required 10 percent of new state vehicles to
get more than 30 mpg. Will re-file HB 1335
which would have provided rebates for hybrid
vehicles. District 138 Candidates continued on next page
13
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
I would propose a Carbon Action Plan similar
to those adopted by 35 other states and that
state agencies adopt mandatory recycling and
purchase of recycled materials. I would support tax incentives for the use of best available
technology in industry, and that a percentage
of grants from the Texas Enterprise Fund
be dedicated towards companies that further
these goals.
A re-evaluation of state priorities is needed.
The portion of revenue directed toward economic incentives for already thriving large
corporations should be first redirected toward
funding public schools and then infrastructure
needs. There has been a proliferation of new
taxing entities at the local level perhaps at the
expense of state revenues, where we rank 48th
(per capita) nationwide.
Reducing unfunded mandates by programs
like “No Child Left Behind” and increased
graduation requirements would help relieve
the financial burden. Reducing standardized
testing will lower expenses, and I oppose
de-funding public schools with vouchers. The state should increase funding for public
schools to reduce the burden on “Robin Hood”
in equalizing funding between rich and poor
school districts.
District 138 Candidates continued from previous page
continued
Virginia “Ginny”
stogner McDavid
Democrat
139-140
138
My degree in Accounting from Texas Tech and
experience as a CPA & small business owner
have prepared me to address the significant
budgetary issues facing our state. Through
my employment with a major airline I’ve held
several union leadership positions in which I’ve
become experienced in legislative advocacy.
Sylvester Turner, Democrat –
Armando Lucio Walle, Democrat –
Michael Bunch
Republican
(60 word limit)
Tax credits to save energy and invest in energy
conservation.
I would not increase taxes. I would reduce
expenditures and enforce the balanced budget
requirements.
Reduce overhead and paper work. Allow more
autonomy for the Principals.
The State Energy Conservation Office has
done a good job lowering the State’s energy
use. I support the investment of funds for
agencies to increase energy savings. There
are many incentives for private entities to use
energy saving equipment and make energy
saving improvements. The rising cost of energy should be an incentive to take advantage of
these programs.
The job of governing is balancing various
needs and not overburdening the taxpayers.
In the current economy this is not the time to
increase taxes. Education, public safety and
transportation are all funded at less than ideal
levels. The legislature is looking at a projected
surplus next session. Hopefully the legislature
will use the surplus to address these areas.
School Finance is much too complicated to
adequately address in 60 words. The basic and
transportation allotments should be regularly
adjusted to reflect increased costs. Otherwise,
our school finance system will end up back in
courts and we will fail our children.
Offer tax reduction to a company who offers
a viable, productive method of energy conservation.
Cut taxes that exist for a mediocre, ‘average’
public education program. Allow more toll
ways to produce more ‘acceptable roads,’
bridges. The tolls should have a sunset clause
on Jan. 1, 2012
Start charging for financially failing schools.
Close schools which show consistently low
test scores.
DISTRICT 141
Doctor of Education in Higher Education
Administration, 3 Master Degrees, Licensed
Architect, 30 years in business and living in
Texas for 30 years.
Senfronia Thompson
Democrat
I am an attorney and a former public school
teacher. I have a B.S. in Biology, a Masters in
Education, Law degree, and Masters of Law. I
am the longest -serving woman and AfricanAmerican in the Legislature. Authored and
passed over 200 bills.
Richard Brown
142
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AVAILABLE
Libertarian
B.A., Social Work, S.E. La. Univ. (Hammond, La.).
Teacher since 1985. Post grad work in Education at
Tulane Univ., & Univ. of New Orleans.
Harold V. Dutton Jr., Democrat –
Dorothy Olmos, Republican – no response received
Ana E. Hernandez, Democrat – no response received
Joe O. Marcom
143
Libertarian
B.S. Allied Health, UHCL; Retired, USAF;
Professional Military Education, plus 12 years
as Paramedic/firefighter with GPVFD.
DISTRICT 144
Ken Legler
14
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Republican
As President of Houston Wire Works I know
how to battle big government, run an international corporation, and care for my employees.
I serve as a Board Member at South Houston
Chamber, NFIB, TAB, and TCEQ and EPA
National Advisory Board. I was Commissioner
for youth baseball in Pasadena.
Joel C. RedmonD
Democrat
I earned a business degree from Baylor
University, joined my family in Southeast Harris
County and entered the mortgage business 14
years ago, helping over 2500 families purchase
their home. I also established a ministry with
the goal of equipping inmates to become responsible members of society upon their release.
I would have the state opt-out of Daylight
Savings Time, so our children wouldn’t be
sent to school in the dark. However, I regard
legislation to coerce energy conservation (or
most other actions) as an abuse of power.
Rather than increase revenue to meet the
desires of the state, I would reduce the size,
and limit the functions of the state to make it
live within it’s means – as the citizens must do.
Mismanagement and poor performance are
so extensive, that I believe the Public School
system has forfeited the right to exist. I would
scrap it and replace it with a system of private
schools, using vouchers, and with the state
exercising oversight authority to assure minimum standards.
One of the few government programs I support
is the state sponsored old vehicle and off-road
commercial voucher program. However, I do
not believe that the answer is more government. The answer is Texans having the power
to use the free market, of which, if it is cost
effective and saves energy, they will do it.
Current state tax policy is sufficient to support government needs. The revenue the taxes
create is enough, but the problem is the routing and mismanagement of the tax dollars.
I support making all government agencies
accountable for their use of taxpayer’s money
and making sure the money goes to its earmarked purpose.
We need to get more education for our dollar instead of just throwing more money at a
broken education system. We can take steps
to ensure that more of every tax dollar spent
makes it to the classroom where the students
are and the teaching is done. Finally, we
must expect standards to rise and hold public
schools accountable.
To help Texans save energy and money, I will
explore legislation that encourages the use of
alternative fuels, green building (LEED standards), home weatherization and smart traffic
engineering. I favor an approach that utilizes
incentives rather than one dependent on burdensome regulations and restrictions.
Our state tax policy is broken. It places an
undue tax burden on homeowners. But the
problem is not that we do not collect enough
revenue—after all the state is projected to
have budget surplus. The problem lies with
our budget priorities. We have to place a priority on the basics—education, public safety,
healthcare and infrastructure.
In 2006, Texas was faced with a court mandate to restructure the way we finance public
schools. The legislature instituted a “margins
tax” on businesses. That approach has failed. We have to start over with a school finance
plan that is fair to homeowners and small
businesses, continues to encourage economic
growth, while providing local school districts
with flexibility.
QUESTIONS TO
(60 word limit)
145
Patricia Rodriguez, Republican – no response received
Carol Alvarado, Democrat – no response received
146
CANDIDATES:
Al Edwards, Democrat –
Garnet F. Coleman
I support legislation to increase energy efficiency standards for appliances, homes and
businesses and to promote renewable energy
like wind and solar, both of which will help
fight global climate change. For example, last
session I authored and passed legislation to
promote solar energy technology for Texas
homeowners and businesses.
Rather than passing property tax cuts that
primarily benefit wealthy commercial landowners and deprive state government of revenue for important social services, I support
tripling the homestead exemption to drive
property tax cuts to middle income Texans. I
also support eliminating unnecessary exemptions from the state franchise tax.
I support an across the board teacher pay
raise to bring Texas to the national average
in teacher salaries to attract and keep the best
teachers to educate our children. I also support
a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1, increasing
the number of certified teachers in the classroom and increasing funding for the Student
Success Initiative.
Apoyo legislación para aumentar los
estándares del rendimiento energético para
aplicaciones, casas y negocios y para mejorar energía reanudable como viento y solar
que ayudará a luchar el cambio global del
clima. En la sesión legislativo pasada yo hice
legislación para promover la tecnología de la
energía solar para los que son dueños de casas
y negocios en Tejas.
En ves de pasar los cortes de la contribución
territorial que solo benefician terratenientes
comerciales ricos y cortan dineros para servicios sociales importantes, apoyo triplicar
la exención de la granja para conducir cortes
de la contribución territorial a la renta media.
También apoyo la eliminación de exenciones
innecesarias del impuesto de licencia del
estado.
Apoyo el aumento de paga del maestros para
elevar Tejas al promedio nacional en sueldos
del maestros para atraer y para guardar a los
maestros mejores. También apoyo un cociente
del estudiante-maestro de 22 a 1, aumentar
el número de profesores certificados en la
clase y aumentar el financiamiento para la
Iniciativa del Exito del Estudiante.
My first task will be to eliminate the new
business franchise tax and replace it with a
franchise tax that would
encourage businesses to locate or relocate in
Texas. Our state tax system should be a model
for all other states to follow. If more businesses relocated to Texas due to a low and fair
tax environment, then more revenue
would be available for the needs for the State
of Texas.
Part of the monies collected for public education should be set aside to assist the troubled
schools. Retired executives from corporations
should be encouraged to be advisory board
members to serve and help manage the troubled districts. I also believe that there should
be more community involvement and support
for our public schools which would defray
the need for raising property taxes or revenue
sharing between the wealthier districts and
the poorer districts. Some kind of an “Adopt
a School (///)
DISTRICT 147
Democrat
I’ve served in the Texas House since 1991
and chair the LSG, a House caucus dedicated
to sound public policy for Texas families.
Received a BA from the University of St.
Thomas, have completed continuing education at the Kennedy School and am president
of an affordable housing corporation.
He servido en la Casa de Representantes de Tejas
desde 1991, presido sobre el LSG, un caucus
oficial de la Casa de Representantes dedicado
al mejorar el orden público para las familias de
Tejas. Recibi un BA de la universidad de St.
Thomas, he continuado mis estudios en la escuela
de Kennedy en Harvard. Soy el presidente de
una corporación de viviendas comprables.
Joe Tirado, Libertarian – no response received
DISTRICT 148
Howard H. Gano Jr.
Republican
I graduated from the University of Texas at
Austin in 1974 with a BBA in Accounting. I
own an accounting practice that specializes
in taxes and have some successful efforts in
oil and gas exploration. I am voluntarily
active or have been active in the following
organizations either as an officer, director, or
advisory director: The Alley Theatre, Institute
of Energy Research, Free Enterprise Institute,
and the Rotary Club of the University Area.
If energy conservation is cost effective and
saves energy, then companies will employ
energy conserving alternatives in their businesses. The legislation that I would propose
would be to grant these companies that employ
energy conserving alternatives a Certificate of
Merit acknowledging their work.
Jessica Christina Farrar, Democrat – no response received
Greg Meyers
There are two critical things to help promote energy conservation: (1) Create a sales
tax holiday for “Energy Star” qualified
I’ve lived and served in West Houston products to encourage purchase of products
most of my life. I have a BBA from Texas that save money and help the environment;
A&M University and MBA from St. Mary’s (2) Install advanced (or “smart”) meters in
University. My wife and I own GSK Dental. every home and business to give consumers
a critical tool to help control their consumpI served as Chairman of the Houston West
Chamber of Commerce and currently serve tion of electricity.
as a HISD Trustee.
Yes, the challenge is to control those obligations. Since 1994, the state has netted
$36 billion in surplus revenues. The state
needs better focus on core priorities, like
education and transportation. For example,
the Legislature must stop the diversion of
gas tax revenue from needed road repair
and maintenance, and stop creating new
programs that drain resources from these
priorities.
The Texas Supreme Court has stated that
the Legislature should “choose a new path”
to fund public schools. The Legislature
should create a permanent select committee
to begin reforming public school finance
and fully fund public schools while
relieving the taxpayers of rising, unsupportable property taxes. I also support policies
that create efficiencies in how our tax dollars are spent.
Hubert Vo
First, I want to make sure we are getting the
most efficiency from the money the state now
receives. I believe our priorities need changing. Let’s look at everything in the budget
and use a zero-based budget process. Then
we will have a better idea of our true financial
situation. Public school finance is complex. We need to
address, among other things, funding sources
and equalization. We must look at a long
range plan and we have to make education the
priority. To be successful, this will require
the cooperation of the legislature, school districts and the parents
150
DISTRICT 149
Republican
Democrat
I have a degree in mechanical engineering
from the University of Houston. I am in
the real estate development business. I have
served for two terms in the Texas legislature.
I am interested in legislation to provide incentives to retro-fit existing buildings to obtain
more energy efficiency. I also want to encourage the development of other emerging technologies.
Debbie Riddle, Republican – no response received
Brad Neal, Democrat – no response received
Ken Petty, Libertarian – no response received
15
COURT OF APPEALS
Six-year term. Must be at least 35 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of Texas and the district
for which he or she is seeking office. Must have been a practicing lawyer or judge for at least 10 years.
Among duties: appellate jurisdiction co-extensive with the limits of judges’ respective districts, which shall
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
extend to all cases of which the District Courts or County Courts have original or appellate jurisdiction.
Annual authorized salary $140,000 (Chief Justice) $137,500 (Justice)
(75 words)
1st court of appeals justice
Ed Hubbard
PLACE 3
Republican
I have practiced law for nearly 25 years with
large and small firms. I have represented
plaintiffs and defendants, handled complex
litigation throughout the country, provided
litigation management for corporate clients,
and managed my own law firm. I will bring
to the court the perspective gained from these
unique experiences.
Jim Sharp
Democrat
My preparation spans 3 decades: -Legislation
(Senate Education Committee staff;
Legislative/Admin. Director to two House
members)(70’s); -Case law (clerk to excellent
Houston firms; my own solo practice)(80’s),
and - Seventeen years of litigation in courthouses across Texas (since). UT-Austin (BA)
and South Texas College of Law (JD).
Laura Higley
PLACE 5
Republican
After graduating from law school with top
honors, I practiced law at Baker Botts where I
was selected Special Counsel. In the last year
of my first term on the Court, I have been recognized by P.O.L.I.C.E., Inc. as Judge of the
Year and by Rotary as a Paul Harris ///
Leslie C. Taylor
Democrat
I have been board certified in civil appellate
law since 1990. I co-wrote the first edition of
O’Connor’s Texas Causes of Action. I have
clerked at a Texas court of appeals and have
represented individuals (both rich and poor)
and businesses (plaintiffs and defendants) in
Texas for 24 years.
Activist judges change the law to match their
personal beliefs as to how a case should
be resolved. An activist uses one or more
of the following methods: 1. creating new
law; 2. constricting existing law; 3. confusing existing law; and 4. ignoring existing
law. Activism distorts precedents and injects
politics into the judicial process, thereby destabilizing the development of the law. This
instability weakens the public’s confidence in
the legal system.
The best way to select judges is through
a non-partisan system, which most states
have adopted in one form or another. This
approach could include non-partisan elections
held in odd-numbered years, or an appointment system with retention-elections (also
known as the “Missouri System”).
Most contributions to judicial campaigns are
made because the contributors either know
the candidate, or because they have a professional interest in the quality of the judicial
system. Given the volume of cases handled
by the courts, requiring recusal solely due to
the receipt of campaign contributions would
be unworkable. Current disclosure rules and
contribution limits protect against improper
influences on judicial decisions. The better
reform would be to change the system for
selecting judges.
No respect for jury verdicts; misconstruction
of precedent and statutes; activist judges legislating from the bench. Judges forgetting they
are no longer prosecutors but officers sworn to
uphold justice evenhandedly. Be intellectually
honest. No Judge should rule according to
party doctrine or defer to political patrons in
order to climb the judicial career ladder.
Non-partisan elections, preferably on an election day that is designated specifically and
exclusively for judicial races.
Jurists should have the moral fortitude for
complete impartiality no matter the circumstances. But all judges are not jurists. The
Canons of Judicial Ethics prohibit even an
appearance of impropriety and statutory contribution limits are further safeguards. Each
justice knows her/his soul and there may be
cases in which it best to recuse in order to
preserve the impartiality of the proceedings
and the peace of mind of all parties.
An activist judge bases decisions, not on the
laws promulgated by the legislative branch of
government, but on what the judge thinks the
result or outcome should be in the underlying
case. An activist judge “legislates from the
bench”. Voters expect their judges to make
decisions based on the judge’s understanding
of established statutory and common law. A
judge that does otherwise betrays the voters’
trust and besmirches the reputation of the
judiciary.
Some argue that a system of appointment
and retention would de-politicize the process. That has not been the result of the federal
system. Furthermore, eliminating judicial
elections might prevent some qualified, lessknown candidates from presenting themselves
to the voters. I suggest a third system - a
separate judicial ballot coincident with the
general elections. This specialized ballot
would retain freedom of choice for the voter,
reward incumbency and also encourage voters
to focus on candidate ///
Judges, when they take their oath of office,
pledge to preserve and protect the law. In
taking that pledge, elected judges commit to
put aside any personal bias. Campaign contributions have no place in judicial decision
making. In the courts of appeals, a judge must
issue detailed opinions firmly grounded in
the law and legal precedent. Those opinions
should reflect a judge’s impartiality and serve
to hold the judiciary accountable.
When someone uses the term “activist” to
describe a jurist, it tells me more about the
writer or speaker than the jurist. It usually
means the writer or the speaker is unhappy
with the way the law is developing and changing. The law is not stagnant; nor should it be.
However, change should come through the
legislature and high court holdings. It is not
the job of intermediate courts of appeals to
change the law.
No method is perfect. Politics will always
play a role. My preference is merit selection. A nominating commission should be composed of members from diverse backgrounds. Commission members should be appointed
by a variety of sources. The commission
should offer a “short list” of nominees to the
governor, who must appoint from the list. After two years on the bench, the judge should
face a “yes or no” retention election to earn a
6-year term.
As matters stand today, our courts would
grind to a halt if jurists recused themselves
based on contributions from lawyers and law
firms. A jurist who has accepted substantial
contributions from a party should not hear the
case. I have not accepted and will not accept
substantial contributions from lawyers or law
firms. My decision to self-finance the bulk of
my direct campaign expenditures is a personal
choice. It should not be required. Chief Justice, 14th court of appeals
PLACE 5
Adele Hedges
“Activist judges” are those who go beyond the
interpretation of the law and begin legislating
Republican
from the bench. As such, they misinterpret
I’ve been a licensed attorney since 1974, hav- the role of the judiciary and invade the proving graduated summa cum laude from UH ince of the legislative branch. Their actions
Law Center. I’ve been an appellate judge represent a perversion of the tripartite system
since 1992 and Chief of the Court since 2003. of government.
I’ve authored three Texas litigation and trial
practice guides and served as Chair of the
Texas Council of Chief Justices.
Each method of selection of judges has its
advantages and disadvantages. I prefer to
leave it to the voters and the legislators to
select the best method of judicial selections,
since it is their province to make that decision.
Judges are called upon to put aside their
personal biases and make decisions based
upon the law, not prejudice and favoritism. Judges have a variety of associations with a
great many lawyers who practice before them. Judges should not concern themselves with
whether they rule in favor of, or against, any
lawyer. Their only concern should be whether
a ruling is firmly grounded in the law and
legal precedent.
Joe E. Beverly
Judges like any other public official, must be
accountable to the citizens of Texas. Judges
protect our rights and liberties by being independent, honest and fair. Independent judges
that protect the rights of Texas citizens are
the bedrock of our democracy. Texas voters
provide the ultimate check on an out of control
judiciary and insure its independence.
A judge should not be influenced by political
contributions. However, it is unrealistic to
expect that all judges can completely disregard large contributions. A judge should
absolutely recuse himself or herself when a
party to a suit has made a substantial contribution to his or her campaign. However,
most contributions come from attorneys and
firms. Judges should weigh the significance
of those contributions against the appearance
of impropriety or bias and act accordingly.
Democrat
I have handled more than 50 trials and appeals
in courts all across Texas and have represented clients ranging from large corporations
to small business owners to individuals. I am
board certified in Civil Appellate Law and
served as briefing attorney for the Court of
Criminal Appeals. 16
Activist judges are those that pursue their own
personal political agendas from the bench
rather than enforcing and fairly interpreting
the law as applied to the facts. As we have
seen over the last 12 years with the cutting
back of individual rights and liberties and
the distrust of trial by jury, activist judges are
not confined to one ideology or one political
party.
COURT OF APPEALS continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
(75 words)
14th court of appeals justice
PLACE 4
Jeff Brown
Judges are activist when they allow their own
opinions of what the law should be override
Republican
their duty to interpret the law as it actually
I served six years as a highly rated district is. Judges and judicial candidates who want
judge before going to the court of appeals. to make law should run for the legislature
I am board certified in Civil Trial Law and instead. Judicial activism undermines judicial
write frequently for legal journals. After independence because it calls into question
graduating law school with high honors, I whether the judiciary should be independent. served as a briefing attorney at the Texas It builds a perception that judges regularly
abuse their power. Good judges understand
Supreme Court.
their role and practice restraint.
I believe we should adopt an appoint-andretain system. The voters would be able to
remove underperforming judges, but good
judges would not be swept from office by
straight-ticket votes. That does not mean our
current system has not produced a qualified,
diverse, and independent judiciary. The judges on the bench in Texas are well-qualified
and more diverse than ever. But they should
be independent of the vagaries of straightticket voting.
Campaign contributions have no place in judicial decision making. When they take their
oath of office, judges pledge to make decisions
based on the law, not prejudice and favoritism. On the court of appeals where I serve, judges
must demonstrate that their decisions comport
with the law and legal precedent by issuing
detailed written opinions. The soundness of
those opinions is evidence of the judges’ fairness and impartiality. They serve to hold the
judiciary accountable.
Bert Moser
Originally a phrase used by Democrats to
describe judges who overturned laws to
improve working conditions. Has become a
Republican code term to disparage opinions
they disagree with by judges who take an
expansive view of the Bill of Rights and the
individual’s use of the courts for legal redress.
Designed to convince the public that these
opinions are based not on law, but only on the
judge’s personal philosophy.
Judges should not be politicians or fund raisers, as they have become under the Texas
system. Elections put a premium on name
identification purchased by contributions and
discourage able lawyers from seeking judgeships. A better approach is appointment of
lawyers deemed by their colleagues to be
highly qualified. Appointments should be for
limited tenure. Life terms make judges too
distant from the real lives of litigants.
The ethics rules do not require recusal for the
sole reason that lawyers or parties appearing before the judge have contributed to his
campaign. That is because an elected judiciary requires that candidates raise money.
And much of that money inevitably comes
from lawyers who know the judge personally
or are familiar with the court. But a judge
should always recuse himself if any relationship to the lawyers raises the appearance of
impropriety.
The “activist” label is most likely to be
attached when there is a belief that a particular decision or ruling exceeds the boundaries
Before becoming an appellate justice in 2007, of a court’s authority. Especially in the cirI practiced appellate law for 18 years with cumstance of an intermediate appellate court,
Fulbright & Jaworski. I have been board there must be sensitivity regarding the limits
certified in Civil Appellate Law since 1994. of such a court’s authority. An intermediate
I argued more than 60 appeals in courts appellate court should apply the existing body
throughout Texas and across the country, of law to the specific facts and circumstances
of a particular case.
including the U.S. Supreme Court.
No selection method is perfect. Elections
have the advantage of giving citizens a direct
voice in the selection of judges who preside
over their cases and affect their lives. My
own example demonstrates that highly experienced and qualified attorneys will participate
in the election process. The features of a pure
appointment process must be balanced against
the delay and periodic gridlock that have
arisen at times in the process for appointing
federal judges.
Widespread recusal is not warranted and
would threaten to interfere with courts’ ability to function. Any erroneous perception
of judges and the judiciary among members
of the public can be countered by the hard
work and conscientious service of judges
who pledge to be fair and impartial, and then
demonstrate their commitment to that pledge
in the way they perform their work and fulfill
their duties on the bench.
“Activist judges,” whether liberal or conservative, go beyond their appropriate powers
and engage in making law and not merely
interpreting it. Judges should exercise judicial restraint, applying laws as written and
leaving changes to the legislature. The public
expects legislatures to make laws and courts
to apply those laws as written. When judges
exceed this role, public confidence in judges
is diminished; when judges stay within the
boundaries of their authority, public confidence is strengthened.
The federal system, with lifetime appointments, is lauded as achieving these goals.
Judicial selection, however, is a complex and
multi-faceted issue. Each system has advantages and disadvantages. Texans feel strongly
about electing their judges; when given opportunities to change our current system, Texans
have chosen not to do so. Preserving the
independence of the judiciary and promoting
public confidence in the impartiality and competence of our judges should be the hallmarks
of any selection system. Judicial campaign funding is an unavoidable part a system with an elected judiciary.
Though laws limit amounts and require disclosure of campaign contributions, this aspect
of our system is criticized because giving/
accepting campaign contributions can give
rise to negative perceptions of judges. A judge
must recuse in those rare situations when the
particular facts and circumstances warrant
recusal; a judge is duty-bound to hear and
decide matters when they do not. “Activist” is a pejorative directed at judges
claimed to elevate personal preferences over
the law. Because all sides now use the term
to describe all sorts of decisions, it is losing much of its meaning, though it probably
does lower the public’s perception of judges.
Decisions must always be based on the law,
not personal views. But while fairly criticizing
judges, we should strive to avoid politicizing
the legal process and compromising judicial
independence.
Judicial elections have some strengths. They
promote public accessibility to judges and
candidates during the campaign season and
are an easier way to remove judges who
have committed misconduct. But, on balance,
I believe a system of nonpartisan, publicly
financed or retention elections – or an apolitical, merit-based appointment system – would
most effectively convince the public that our
courts are free of improper influence and yield
qualified, diverse and independent judges.
Given how many lawyers contribute, a blanket
rule is probably infeasible and would make
it harder to assemble panels of judges able
to hear cases. Recusal should be considered
more strongly as to parties, since non-lawyers
contribute to judicial races less frequently.
Above all, judges must act with integrity and
not to please supports. I will strongly consider
recusal where my relationship with the contributors and others might raise any reasonable doubt about my impartiality.
Democrat
Honor graduate Rice, UT Law, Certified
Specialist: Civil Appellate Law 1991-date;
Criminal Law 1978-1993; Appellate counsel100 cases in every legal area, 40 published
opinions; Wide ranging trial and arbitration experience; Highest peer review rating;
Teacher, author; Writing that is understandable and not boring.
(unexpired term)
Bill Boyce
PLACE 6
Republican
Mary M. Markantonis, Democrat –
Kem Thompson Frost
Republican
PLACE 7
In 9+ years on the bench, I’ve ruled on 1000+
cases and authored hundreds of published
opinions. I’ve been certified in Appellate
Jurisprudence (TCJS) and elected to the
American Law Institute. Before becoming
a judge, I practiced for 15 years with two
major firms, earning the highest possible
peer-review rating.
Martin J. Siegel
Democrat
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Harvard Law School, cum laude; federal
appellate law clerk; associate at a national
law firm; Assistant United States Attorney;
staffer, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee;
extensive appellate experience in state and
federal courts in Texas and elsewhere as a
government lawyer and in private practice;
frequently published legal author.
To find out where your precinct votes on Election Day:
Call 713.755.6965
or 713.368.2200
www.harrisvotes.com
or www.hcvoter.net
17
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGEs
District Courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction. Twenty-two criminal courts have jurisdiction over felonies punishable by death or by incarceration in state prison or death, and over misdemeanors involving official conduct. An additional 3 courts deal exclusively with juveniles accused of crimes. Twenty-five civil courts have jurisdiction over civil actions, which include disputes over personal or real property, civil rights,
contractual matters or other business dealings, and personal injuries. In addition there are 9 specialized civil courts dedicated solely to family matters such as divorce and child custody. 4-year term.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
When should a judge recuse
himself/herself from a case?
(60 word limit)
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
When should a judge recuse
himself/herself from a case?
(60 word limit)
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 11th judicial district
11th
Mark Davidson
Judge should recuse themselves when
their impartiality could fairly be quesRepublican
tioned due to factors outside the merits
Twenty years service as Judge, and of a case. It is as important that judges
acknowledgement as a leader in admin- promote confidence in their integrity as
istration of justice. UT 1971; UH Law; it is that they make the correct legal rulEleven years as a general practice lawyer. ings in the cases before them.
Presided over 450 Jury trials. Served on
committees to improve jury duty and
protect consumers from wrongful home
foreclosures.
Mike Miller
Democrat
I graduated from Southwestern
University and UT Law School. I have
tried over 150 jury trials in 28 years as a
lawyer. I am board certified in personal
injury trial law and highly rated by other
lawyers for competency and ethics. I
have been both a plaintiff and defense
lawyer.
TRCP 18b establishes the grounds for
recusal. Generally, recusal is appropriate if her impartiality might reasonably
be questioned, she has a personal bias
or personal knowledge of disputed facts,
she has been a material witness or lawyer
in the case, she has a financial interest,
or a family member is or was involved or
could be affected by the outcome.
Jeff Shadwick
55th
Republican
Currently Judge of the 55th District
Court; appointed by Governor Perry;
1981 law degree from Baylor; 27 years
of commercial litigation practice making
partner in two different firms; AV rated
(highest rating available); twice elected
member of HISD School Board. www.
jeffshadwick.com
Rule 18b clearly sets out when; a judge
should remember why. Recusal strengthens the public’s confidence in the judicial
system. Without it, impartiality may
come into question. The courthouse is
full of qualified, alternate judges, so
there is no need to refuse recusal when
appropriate. Dion Ramos
Rule 18b outlines the conditions upon
which a judge has to disqualify himself. Democrat
These grounds generally involve a perI have spent 23 years of my life trying sonal interest in the case or a relationship
civil cases in District Courts in Houston to one of the litigants. When his imparand Southeast Texas. I am certified by tiality might be reasonably questioned
the Texas Board of Legal Specialization or he has a personal bias concerning the
in Personal Injury and Civil Trial Law. subject matter or a party, a judge should
An experienced trial attorney makes an recuse himself.
efficient and fair judge.
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 61st judicial district
John Donovan
61st
Republican
South Texas College of Law cum laude
1984; Judge 61st District Court since
1996; Board Certified Texas Board Legal
Specialization since 1992; Chairman
Special Dockets committee 2002/2008;
Chairman Rules Committee Board Civil
Judges; Member College of State Bar;
Life Fellow Houston and Texas Bar
Foundation; www.JudgeJohnDonovan.
com
The facts and law vary from case to case. Recusal is an issue to be determined by
a judge in considering the facts, circumstances and law. The law provides certain situations in which the judge must
recuse himself/herself and I do believe
the law must be followed.
Alfred H. "al"
Bennett, Democrat
BS, UH, 1988. JD, UT Law School, 1991.
Associate, Fulbright & Jaworski. Senior
Associate, Solar & Fernandes. Solo
Practitioner. Adjunct Law Professor.
Certified Mediator. Rated AV (very high
to preeminent legal ability) MartindaleHubbell. Past President, Houston
Lawyers Association. Member, District
Grievance Committee. Thurgood
Marshall Legal Society Award for
Distinguished Service
The due process clauses of both the
Texas and the United States Constitutions
guarantee a party an impartial and disinterested tribunal in civil cases. The
inquiry the court must make is whether a
reasonable member of the public, knowing all the facts in the public domain,
would have a reasonable doubt that a
judge is actually impartial.
Lynn Bradshaw-Hull
80th
Republican
18
During 14 years as a trial judge, I have
presided fairly in the disposition of
60,000+ cases, including 500+ jury trials; maintained favorable bar association
evaluations; received specialist certification in Civil Jurisprudence (2005) and
General Jurisdiction (2008); and twice
received State Bar of Texas Presidential
Commendations for Judicial Leadership.
www.judgebradshawhull.com
Durante 14 años como juez de casos
judiciales, he presidido justamente en
el dispositivo de sobre 60,000 casos,
incluyendo 500 juicios por jurado; he
mantenido evaluaciones favorables de
la asociación de la Barra De Dirección
Judicial del Estado de Tejas; recibí certificación de especialista en Jurisprudencia
Civil (2005) y en Jurisdicción General
(2008); y recibí en dos ocasiones
Reconocimientos Presidenciales en
Dirección Judicial por de la Barra De
Dirección Judicial del Estado de Tejas. www.judgebradshawhull.com
Recusal is appropriate if a material witness, a party or related to a party, previously acted as a party’s attorney, related
to a party’s attorney, prepared any legal
instrument which is in issue, when
personally or financially interested in
the outcome, or determines cannot act
impartially. Recusal is inappropriate to
avoid public clamor, fear or criticism or
political attack.
El recuso es apropiado si ha sido un
testigo material, se es un partido, o
he estado relacionado con un partido;
ha actuado previamente como abogado
de un partido, está relacionado con el
abogado de un partido, ha preparado
cualquier instrumento jurídico del cual
está en cuestión, se tiene interés personal
o financiero en el resultado, o se determina que no puede actuar imparcialmente. El recuso es inapropiado para
evitar clamor público, temor o crítica o
ataque político.
Larry Weiman
Democrat
Returning 2006 Democratic Candidate.
Attorney/Mediator; 17 years experience representing clients in state/federal civil trial and appellate courts. Law
Degree-South Texas College of Law,
1991 w/Dean’s List Honors; Bachelor
of Science-Business-Boston University,
1981 w/Dean’s List Honors. Mediation
Certificate-A.A. White Dispute
Resolution Institute, University of
Houston. www.larry4judge.com
Candidato Demócrata regresando en el
2006. Abogado/Mediador; 17 años representando clientes en Tribunales de
Proceso Civil estatales/federales y de
apelación. Doctorado en Jurisprudencia
del “South Texas College of Law”
(1991) con honores en lista del Decano;
Bachillerato de Ciencia-ComercioUniversidad de Boston (1981) con
honores en lista del Decano. Asistió a
Universidad de Texas. Certificado de
Mediación del Instituto Para Resolución
de Conflictos A.A.White, Universidad
de Houston. www.larry4judge.com
Under Texas law, a judge must recuse
himself/herself in any proceeding in
which his/her impartiality might reasonably be questioned. There must be no
doubts or suspicions as to the fairness
or integrity of the court. The judiciary
must strive not only to give all parties a
fair trial but also to maintain a high level
of public trust and confidence.
Según la ley de Texas, un juez debe retirarse de un caso donde su imparcialidad
puede razonablemente ponerse en duda.
Nunca debe haber ninguna duda ni sospecha tocante a la imparcialidad o integridad de la corte. Los Jueces deben de
procurar, a no solamente darle un juicio
justo a todas las partes, sino también a
mantener la confianza del público. CIVIL AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGEs continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe your education, your occupation, and the training
and experience that qualify you for this position. (50 word limit)
When should a judge recuse himself/herself from a case?
(60 word limit)
125th
John Coselli, Republican
Over 30 combined years of experience as attorney and State District Court Judge. Twice
elected by Harris County voters as Judge. Voted by attorneys “qualified” and “well qualified” in
Houston Bar Polls since 1999. Twice elected by Texas Judges to serve as President of the Texas
Association of District Judges.
I follow the laws in Texas without regard to my personal views. A judge should recuse himself
or herself from a case when the law requires recusal. Generally, the law requires recusal when
the judge’s impartiality might be questioned. The law proscribes rules and procedures for the
evaluation of the need or appropriateness of recusal.
Kyle Carter, Democrat
Judges should recuse themselves when there is the appearance of bias or impropriety involved
by virtue of that particular judge’s involvement in a case. Texas law recognizes several situations in which a judge should recuse themselves, however, beyond that, judges should openly
strive to do everything in their power to avoid the appearance of impropriety and maintain
public confidence.
I am a graduate of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, The University of Texas, and South Texas
College of Law. I have vast trial and appellate experience, and served as General Counsel to
two state Legislative Committees. I believe that judges should follow the law, be honest, fair,
and reasonable.
Soy un graduado de Strake Jesuit College Preparatoria, de la Universidad de Texas, y South
Texas College of Law. Tengo gran juicio y apelación experiencia, y se desempeñó como Asesor
General del Estado a dos Comisiones Legislativas. Creo que los jueces deben seguir la ley, ser
honesto, justo y razonable.
Los jueces deben recusarse a sí mismos cuando se produce la apariencia de parcialidad o incorrección que participan en virtud de ese particular, la participación del juez en un caso. Las
leyes de Texas reconoce varias situaciones en las que un juez debe recusarse a sí mismos, sin
embargo, más allá de eso, los jueces deben esforzarse abiertamente a hacer todo lo que esté a su
alcance para evitar la apariencia de incorrección y mantener la confianza del público.
127th
Sharolyn Wood, Republican
Judge, 127th District, 1985 to present: trying complex cases, 33,000+ cases; 500+ trials; eliminated trial back-log; introduced mediation. Teaching: law students, judges, court reporters, paralegals, and attorneys. Handled complex civil litigation for individual and corporate clients. Rice
University: Economics, 1970. UT Law School 1973. Licensed attorney, 1973. Judge, 1985.
Judges recuse in cases involving family members and other situations which personally involve
the judge. Judges should avoid business affairs which would cause undue recusals. New judges
recuse in cases involving former law firms and former clients for several years. A judge should
not recuse because a case is difficult or the parties are contentious.
Juez, Distrito 127, 1985 al presente: casos de juicio complicados, 33,000+ casos; 500+ juicios;
eliminado juicios retrasados; introduje mediación. Enseñanza: estudiantes de leyes, jueces,
reporteros judiciales, ayudantes de abogados, y abogados. Manejo de litigación civil compleja
de individuales y clientes empresarios. Rice University: Economía, 1970. Ut Law School 1973.
Abogado licensiado, 1973. Juez, 1985.
Jueces pueden recusarse en casos en que interfieren miembros de familia y otras situaciones
que envuelven personalmente al juez. Jueces deben evitar asuntos de negocio que pueden
causar inmerecidos recuses. Jueces nuevos en casos que envuelven firmas de leyes anteriores
y clientes anteriores por varios anos. Un juez no debe recusarse solo porque un caso es difícil
o los partidos son contenciosos.
R. K. Sandill, Democrat
A UH Law graduate, R.K. served as a briefing attorney for the Texas First Court of Appeals
before gaining a broad spectrum of courtroom experience in private practice. Nearly 70% rated
him qualified in the Houston Bar Association’s Qualifications Poll. (The Qualifications Poll is
not an endorsement by the HBA.) A judge should recuse himself when his impartiality can be questioned. This includes any
situation in which the judge has a financial interest or any other pecuniary interest in the litigation before the Court. Furthermore, a judge must recuse himself when he has a personal bias
regarding the case or a party to the case.
Un graduado de la ley de UH, R.K. sirvió como abogado para el primer tribunal de apelación de
Tejas antes de ganar un espectro amplio de la experiencia de la sala de tribunal en ejercicio privado. El casi 70% lo clasificaron calificaron en la encuesta de las calificaciones de la Asociación de
Abogados de Houston. (La encuesta de las calificaciones no es un endoso por el HBA.)
Un juez debe recuse cuando su imparcialidad puede ser preguntada. Esto incluye cualquier
situación en la cual el juez tenga un interés financiero o cualquier otro interés pecuniario en el
pleito antes de la corte. Además, un juez debe recuse cuando él tiene un diagonal personal con
respecto al caso o un partido al caso.
129th
Grant Dorfman, Republican – no response received
Michael Gomez, Democrat
As a practicing attorney with over 8 years of experience, a lifelong resident of Houston, and
a graduate of Rice University and the UH Law Center, Michael Gomez cares about our community and its people. Michael pledges to treat everyone in his court with dignity, courtesy
and respect.
A judge should recuse himself when his impartiality in a particular matter may reasonably be
questioned or as required to under the rules and laws of the state of Texas.
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 133rd judicial district
133rd
Lamar McCorkle, Republican
Elected judge in 1986. Former civil attorney. Attorney for Appeals Court Chief Justice.
Certified: Civil Jurisprudence. Past Chairman, Texas Center for Legal Ethics & Professionalism.
Dean, Texas College for Judicial Studies. Appointed by Texas Supreme Court to address court
efficiency; ethics; technology. Recipient of numerous honors for improving courts. www.judgelamarmccorkle.com
Our legal system is founded on the premise that fair, independent and competent judges will
interpret and apply the laws that govern us. Judges should recuse themselves in any proceeding
in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned or under circumstances creating
even the appearance of impropriety undermining the rule of law and the public’s confidence in
our judicial system.
Elegido Juez en 1986. Anteriormente era abogado civil. Abogado para el tribunal de apelación
juez principal. Certificado: Jurisprudencia civil. Presidente anterior de Centro de Texas para
ética legal y profesionalidad. Decano de la escuela de Texas de Estudios Judiciales. Nombrado
por la corte suprema de Texas para mejorar la eficiencia de las cortes, ética y tecnología.
Galardonado numerosos honores por el mejorando las cortes. www.judgelamarmccorkle.com
Nuestro sistema legal está fundado en el principio de que juezes justos, independentes y competentes interpreterán y applicarán las leyes que nos gobiernan. Juezes deben abstenerse de
participar en cualquier procedimiento que les pondrá en una situación sospechosa o en circunstancias que tengan la aparencia de impropreidead que causen cuestionaniemto a la imparcialidad y objetividad de la ley y la confianza del público en la sistema legal.
133rd Judicial District Candidates continued on next page
19
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGEs continued
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
(60 word limit)
133rd continued
133rd Judicial District Candidates continued from previous page
Jaclanel moore McFarland, Democrat
I received my undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University. I did graduate work at the
University of Oxford. For 31 years I have been an accomplished litigator, a successful mediator, and have taught law courses on the collegiate level in Harris County. I am a former Baylor
University Regent.
Recibí mi no graduado y las licenciaturas de derecho de la Universidad de Baylor. Yo me gradué
el trabajo en la Universidad de Oxford. Durante 31 años yo he sido un abogado consumado, un
mediador exitoso, y he enseñado la ley los cursos en el nivel colegiado en el Condado de Harris.
Soy un Regente anterior de la Universidad de Baylor.
She should recuse herself in any proceeding in which her impartiality might reasonably be questioned by the public or when there is a possible bias or prejudice concerning the subject matter or
a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary fact concerning the proceeding.
Ella debe recuse ella misma en cualquier acto en el que su imparcialidad quizás sea preguntada
razonablemente por el público o cuando hay una tendencia o el prejuicio posibles con respecto
al tema o un partido, o con respecto al conocimiento personal del hecho evidenciario disputado
con respecto al acto.
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 151st judicial district
151td
Caroline E. Baker, Republican
11 ½ years as trial judge. Graduate of Princeton and UT Law. Previously, partner in respected
civil litigation firm. Board Certified. Serves on three State Bar Committees: Ethics, Jury
Service, Pattern Jury Charge. President of TACTAS. “Trial Judge of the Year” by HPOU. See
www.votejudgecarolinebaker.com
Independent, disinterested, fair, and competent judges are the very cornerstone of American
government. Constitutional Law, statutes and rules impose a duty on judges to recuse themselves in any proceeding in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned or in which
they have a personal bias, prejudice, or personal knowledge concerning the case.
11 1/2 anos jueza de prueba. graduada de Princeton y UT Law. Antes, socio en bufete litigio
civiles. Certificada por el Colegio de Abogados. Sirve en tres Colegios del Estado, Eticas,
Sirvicio del Jurado. Presidenta de TACTAS. “Jueza de Prueba del Ano” por HPOU. Mirar
www.votejudgecarolinebaker.com
Independiente, disinteresada, justo y competente juezes son la piedra sustantivo del gobierno
Americano. La ley constitucional, estatutos y reglas imponen una obligacion en juezes a recusar en
cualquier procedimiento judicial donde sus imparcialidad puede razonablemente poner algo en duda
o donde tienen una tendencia predisposicion, prejuicio o conocimiento personal acerca del caso.
Mike Engelhart, Democrat
Mike holds a BA from Michigan and a JD from UH Law Center where he was an editor of the
Law Review. A 12 year partner in Engelhart & Greenwood, Mike has tried dozens of cases and
successfully represented more than 1000 Texans in both state and federal courts.
Mike recibio un BA de la Universidad de Michigan y un JD de la Universidad de Houston donde
el fue un redactor del Reviso de Leyes. Como companero de 12 años del bufet de abogados
Engelhart & Greenwood, Mike ha peleado docenas de casos y ha tenido exito al haber representado mas de mil Tejanos en las cortes federales y estatales.
A judge should recuse him or herself whenever there is even the appearance of a conflict of
interest over the subject matter, parties, or attorneys involved. Further, if the judge does not
feel 100% capable of impartially presiding over a case, the judge should recuse him or herself
whether asked to or not.
Un juez debe apartarse siempre que haya incluso el aspecto de un conflicto de intereses sobre el
tema, los partidos, o los abogados implicados. Además, si el juez no se siente el 100% capaz de
presidir en una manera imparcial sobre el tema, el juez debera apartarse asi sea pedido o no.
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 152nd judicial district
Ken Wise, Republican
152nd
I have been Judge of the 152nd District Court over 6 years. I am Civil Administrative Judge for
2008. I chaired the completion of the new Civil Courthouse, designed technologically advanced
courtrooms, and pioneered a paperless filing and docketing system. I graduated from Texas
A&M and the University of Houston.
Judicial canons, statutory law and an individual Judge’s discretion are all involved when a
motion to recuse is filed. Unfortunately, sometimes parties will use such motions as a delay
tactic. A Judge should always recuse when appropriate but should not countenance the tactical
use of a motion to recuse to cause delay or for an otherwise improper purpose.
Robert K. Schaffer, Democrat
Sole Practitioner, Certified Mediator; South Texas College of Law, 1984; University of Arizona,
1974; licensed in Texas, 1984; President, Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Houston Trial
Lawyers Foundation and South Texas College of Law Alumni Association; Chair, State Bar
Grievance Committee; Member, SW Regional Board of Anti-Defamation League; AV rating.
A judge must recuse himself/herself in any case in which his/her impartiality might be questioned. Examples include having a bias or prejudice concerning the case, personal knowledge
of disputed facts in the case, being a witness in the case, having a financial interest in the subject
matter of the case or being a party or a lawyer in the case.
Unico Practicador, Mediador De Certificado; Universidado del Sur de Tejas de la Ley, 1984;
Universidad de Arizona, 1974; Licenciado in Tejas, 1984; Presidente, Houston Trial Lawyers
Association, Houston Trial Lawyers Foundation and Universidado del Sur de Tejas de la Ley
Alumin Asociacion; del Agravio Committee de la Barra; miembro contra del Grado Del
Sistema de Pesos de Difamacion.
Un juez debe retirarse de cualquier caso en el que su imparcialidad este en cuestionada. Por
ejemplo, si el juez tiene algun prejuicio con respecto a el caso, conocimiento personal de hechos
que estan siendo disputados, es testigo en el caso, si tiene algun interés económico o financiero
en la materia de el caso o si es el abogado en el caso.
Martha Hill Jamison, Republican
164th
Incumbent Judge, 164th Judicial District Court, since 1999. Board Certified, Civil Trial
Law. Member, Harris County Juvenile Board. Civil Administrative Judge. Founding Fellow,
International Academy of Mediators. Board, American Judicature Society. Graduate, University
of Texas School of Law. Active member, St. Luke’s Methodist Church. American Leadership
Forum, Class XXV.
Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Democrat
After graduating with honors from The University of St. Thomas, I joined South Texas College
of Law’s nationally ranked advocacy team. With three national moot court titles, I was inducted
in the Order of the Barristers. I have spent my career in the Courtroom, representing varied
clients in varied cases. 20
A judge should recuse when statutorily required. A judge may offer to recuse in cases where a
litigant may feel uncomfortable going forward (for example, if my brother’s law firm is representing a party); however, this should be a rare occurrence. A judge should not recuse when the
request is made solely because of a ruling made in the case.
A judge should recuse themselves whenever there is an air of impropriety in their remaining
on the case. This air may be the result of an obvious financial interest or from a less overt
acquaintance between the counsel or judge.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
(60 word limit)
Elizabeth Ray, Republican
165th
Education: Texas Tech; Baylor Law School; law clerk, U.S. Magistrate. Well-qualified: Civil
District Judge since 1992; 14 years private practice; Board Certified, civil trial law; certified
mediator; specialist in commercial litigation, business law. Honors: Trial Judge of the Year;
twice elected Chief Administrative Judge; Top 10 Texas Women on the ///
In addition to the statutory standards, a judge must recuse when she does not believe she can
rule fairly or impartially. She must also recuse when there is an appearance of impropriety. Whether there is an appearance of impropriety must be considered from the position of the
litigants, not that of the judge.
Josefina Muniz Rendon, Democrat
Municipal Judge since 1983; Attorney since 1977, Mediator since 1993. Presided over hundreds
of trials. Mediated hundreds of legal disputes. Published dozens of legal articles. Editorial
Board Member: TEXAS BAR JOURNAL, TEXAS MEDIATOR and HOUSTON LAWYER.
Past President: Texas Association of Mediators. Mediator/Trainer for U.S. Air Force, Army,
Navy. www.Rendonforjudge.com
Juez Municipal desde 1983; Abogada desde 1977, Mediadora desde 1993. Presidió sobre cientos de juicios. Medió cientos de casos. Publicó dozenas de artículos legales. Miembro Junta
Editorial: TEXAS BAR JOURNAL, TEXAS MEDIATOR and HOUSTON LAWYER. Previa
Presidenta: Asociación Mediadores de Texas. Mediadora/Capacitadora para Fuerza Aérea,
Ejército y Marina estadounidensenses. www.Rendonforjudge.com
A judge should withdraw from a case anytime there is a reasonable question about his/her
impartiality; there’s an appearance or reality of personal bias or prejudice concerning the case;
if a family member is involved in the case; or for any other reason as specified in Rule 18b of
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Un juez debe retirarse de un caso si hay alguna duda razonable sobre su imparcialidad; si hay
aparencia o realidad de prejucio sobre el caso; si algún miembro de su familia está involucrado en el caso; o por cualquiera de las razones especificadas en la Regla 18b de la Reglas de
Procedimiento Civil de Texas.
Patricia J. Kerrigan, Republican
190th
Occupation: Judge, 190th District Court; Experience: partner, Werner, Kerrigan & Ayers;
partner, Fulbright & Jaworski; 24 years Tort/commercial trial lawyer; Achievements: Board
Certified, Texas Superlawyer, American Board of Trial Advocates, First woman President
TADC, member Texas Bar Foundation, Houston Bar Foundation, BSN, Boston University, JD,
University of Houston;www.judgekerrigan.com
Various rules and statutes control the procedure and grounds for recusal. In addition to those
situations, a Judge should recuse herself where her impartiality is reasonably in question and her
continued involvement would erode the trust and confidence of the public in the impartiality of
the Judiciary. A recusal decision should be based on the facts specific to the situation.
Andres Pereira, Democrat
BA Spanish/Economics/Ibero-American Studies Univ. Wisconsin; JD South Texas College of
Law, Order of the Lytae, American Jurisprudence Award legal research/writing; intern, Texas
SC Justice Lloyd Doggett; 1995-present, Litigation Attorney--mass tort/product liability/consumer/aviation. Licensed in Texas, Florida, numerous US District & appellate courts.
In addition to any statutory requirements, a judge should offer to recuse himself or herself when
s/he has any perceived or real stake in the outcome of the case or harbors a bias or prejudice
against either party in the case that will prevent s/he from being a fair and unbiased jurist.
Levi J. Benton, Republican – no response received
215th
Steven E. Kirkland, Democrat
I have six years judicial experience, seventeen years legal experience, both as plaintiff and
defendant, which gives me the unique perspective to be a balanced and fair. After leaving
Texaco, I had my own practice before becoming a Municipal Judge. BA from Rice, JD from
University of Houston.
The issue is fairness, in fact and in perception. The law sets out minimum standards requiring recusal when the Judge has a close personal, family or business relationship with any of
the litigants. Beyond that, the Judge should recuse if the Judge believes he cannot be fair or if
presiding over a case creates the appearance of impropriety. Yo tengo seis años de experiencia judicíal. Tambien tengo diecisiete años de experiencia legal
como abogado, al lado del demandante y tambien del acusado, dandome una perspectiva excepcional y a ser justo y equilibrado. Despues de haber dejado mi empleo con la compañia Texaco,
tuve mi propio bufete antes de ser nombrado juez de las cortes municipales. Recibí mi título
univerisitario de la universidad de Rice, y mi título de abogado de la Universidad de Houston.
La cuestión es imparcialidad, y ademas, la percepción de imparcialidad. La ley precisó
estándares mínimos, que requiere que cuando un juez tiene una relación familiar o de negocio
con uno de los litigantes, se debe de retirar del caso. Más allá de eso, el juez se debe retirar del
caso si por cualquier razon él cree que no puede ser imparciál, o si preside en un caso, dará el
aspecto de impropiedad.
CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 333rd judicial district
333rd
Joseph “Tad” Halbach, Republican
Incumbent Judge, 333rd Civil District Court, since 1995. Board Certified, Civil Trial Law.
Harris County Civil Administration Judge, Harris County Juvenile Board Member, University
of Texas at Austin (BA ’78, JD ’82), Leadership Houston Class XII. Adult leader, Boy Scouts
of America. Member, St. Vincent de Paul Church. See www.judgetadhalbach.com.
A judge should recuse when required by rule, statute or the judicial canons. A judge should not
recuse when the request is made solely as a delay tactic or solely because of a ruling made in
the case. A judge should always recuse when appropriate, but not when a motion is filed for
an improper purpose.
Goodwille Pierre, Democrat – no response received
21
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
(60 word limit)
334th
Sharon McCally, Republican
A second-career lawyer, I worked in construction for seven years before graduating law school
and serving as a federal law clerk. For ten years prior to election to the 334th, I practiced trial
and appellate law for both businesses and individuals. I have a proven work ethic and judicial
temperament.
A judge should recuse when any one of the conditions identified in TEX.R.CIV.P. 18b exists or
arises unless, in the case of an 18b(2) condition, the parties waive recusal. A Court’s application
of this law must simultaneously balance the dual purposes of (a) assuring integrity and public
confidence in the system and (b) preventing the improper manipulation of proceedings.
La abogacía ha sido mi segunda carrera; he trabajado en la industria constructora por siete años
antes de graduarme como abogada y comenzar mi trabajo de secretaria del tribunal federal. Antes
de ser elegida como jueza para la sala 334, ejercí el derecho en juicios y apelaciones, representando a individuos y a empresas. Mi trayectoria demuestra mi ética laboral y mi tenor judicial.
Un juez debe recusarse cuando existe o surge alguna de estas condiciones identificadas bajo
TEX.R.CIV.P. 18b, a menos que en el caso de una condición bajo la disposición 18b(2), las partes renuncien a la recusación del juez. La solicitud de un Juez bajo esta norma, debe mantener
el equilibrio de doble propósito: (a) asegurar la integridad y confianza de la gente en el sistema
y (b) impedir la manipulación incorrecta de los procesos judiciales.
Ashish Mahendru, Democrat
I am a graduate of the University of Texas Plan II Honors Program and University of Texas Law
School. I have experience in insurance defense, commercial litigation, medical malpractice,
class actions, soft intellectual property, consumer, employment, personal injury, temporary
restraining orders, property tax disputes, and oil and gas cases. Among other factors, when the judge has served as a lawyer in the case, has a direct interest
in the case or spouse or child have a financial interest in the case, is related to the parties or
lawyer, cannot be impartial, has a personal bias or prejudice, has personal knowledge of facts,
or is a material witness.
Soy graduado de la Universidad de Texas del Programa Honorifico llamado Plan II y graduado de la Facultad de Leyes. Tengo experiencia en defensa de companias de seguros, litigio comercial, conducta ilegal medica, propriedad intelectual, derechos del consumidor, derechos de empleo, dano personal,
ordenes temporales de restringion, disputas de impuestas de propiedad y casos de gas y aceite.
Entre otros factores, cuando el juez ha servido como abogado en el caso; tiene interes directo en el
caso; es esposo o es padre de uno de los interesados; tiene interes financiero in el caso; tiene parentezco con alguno de los interesados o abogados; si puede tener un perjuicio o propensión personal;
tiene conocimiento personal de los hechos o es testigo importante; o no puede ser imparcial.
CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGE, 174th judicial district
Bill Moore, Republican
174th
Graduate of Villanova University and Texas Tech School of Law. Entire 20-year legal career A judge should abide by the rules as set forth in Texas Civil Procedure Rule 18b and recuse himspent as a Harris County Prosecutor. Extensive courtroom experience with 100+ jury trials. self/herself in any proceeding in which his or her impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Served as a Special Crimes prosecutor, and currently serves as a Chief Prosecutor handling A judge should always strive to avoid the appearance of impropriety in all of his or her affairs.
murder and capital murder cases. See www.electbillmoore.com
Ruben Guerrero, Democrat
As an attorney for more than 30 years, have tried everything from misdemeanors to capital
murder. As a judge I have presided over the same. I am the only candidate with judicial experience. I also am a Vietnam veteran and have worked as regional administrator for the Small
Business Administration.
A judge should not simply recuse himself for statutory reasons, such as financial interest in the
outcome or a personal relationship to either party. The judge also should recuse himself at the
appearance of impropriety. For example, if a judge’s friend was killed in a robbery, that judge
should never sit on anything to do with the accused robber’s trial.
Brian Rains, Republican
I have served as Judge of the 176th Court for over 20 years. I graduated from Texas A&M in
1972. I graduated from the University of Houston Law School in 1976. I worked in the District
Attorney’s office for over 11 years before becoming judge of this court.
A Judge should recuse himself/herself when the rules of both procedure and common sense
dictate that a recusal should occur. [No Spanish for 2.]
176th
He servido como Juez de la Corte 176 por mas de 20 anos. Gradue’ de la Universidad de A&M
en 1972, y de la escuela de leyes de la Universidad de Houston en 1976. Servi’ como asistente
de fiscal por 11 anos antes de ser nombrado como juez de esta corte.
Shawna L. Reagin, Democrat
B.A. Political Science, summa cum laude, University of St. Thomas, J.D. University of Houston. Licensed in Texas, Federal Southern District of Texas and U.S. Supreme Court. A solo practitioner since 1989, I have handled thousands of felony cases, including death penalty capitals, at
the trial and appellate levels.
Anytime the ethical canons dictate, but particularly when the judge harbors a bias against the
accused or an aspect of the law that prevents acting fairly and impartially. If a judge’s personal
or political agenda, rather than the rule of law, controls rulings in the case, he or she should
recuse in order to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.
B.A. Political Science, summa cum laude, University of St. Thomas, J.D. University of Houston. En cualquier momento que los canones de etica lo requiera pero particularmente cuando el juez tenga
Licensiada en Texas, Federal Southern District of Texas and U.S. Supreme Court. En practica resentimientos contra el acusado o un aspecto de la ley que prevenga actuar justa e imparcialmente. Si
individual desde 1989, he manejado miles de casos de felonia incluyendo casos de pena de la posicion personal o politica de un juez, en lugar de lo que rige la ley, controla los dictamenes en el
caso, el o ella se debe retirar para mantener la confiansa publica en el sistema judicial.
muerta al nivel de juicio y apelaciones.
177th
Devon Anderson, Republican
Elected District Judge 2004. Prior service as defense attorney and Felony Chief Prosecutor
for D.A. Johnny Holmes. Graduate of U.T. undergraduate and law school. Efficient and hardworking, disposing of over 7,000 cases and annually averaging 50 jury trials. Volunteer Drug
Court Judge. Winner of H.B.A. bar poll. Native Texan.
A judge must not only be fair, but must project the appearance of fairness. This duty extends
to each party in court as well as to the system as a whole. If there is an ethical conflict, a judge
must immediately recuse herself. The same is true if there is the appearance of impropriety.
Kevin Fine, Democrat – no response received
22
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe your education, your occupation, and the training and
experience that qualify you for this position. (50 word limit)
(60 word limit)
178th
Roger Bridgwater, Republican
I was appointed by Governor Perry in 2007. I have 29 years of trial experience. Working as an
assistant under District Attorneys Carol Vance and Johnny Holmes and being in private practice
since 1983, I have handled thousands of criminal cases and been lead attorney in 100+ criminal
jury trials.
Criminal District Court Judges must follow Texas Criminal Code of Procedure Article 30.01
which states no judge is to sit in any case where he is the party injured, has been counsel for
the State or accused, or within a relationship prohibited under the Government Code. Judicial
Cannon 2 says a judge should avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety.
David Mendoz, Democrat – no response received
Mike Wilkinson, Republican
179th
District Judge, 20 years (first elected, 1988), presiding over 500+ jury trials. Presiding Drug
Court Judge. Former defense/Assistant District Attorney. Former Chief Prosecutor, 179th &
176th District Courts. Chair, JIMS Executive Board, 15 years. Fellow, State Bar Foundation. Former Section Chair, HBA. U.T.: BBA/JD (licensed, 1974)
A judge should recuse himself/herself from a case whenever the law requires. Occasionally,
the interest of judicial economy along with the appearance of propriety dictate a judge should
recuse himself/herself from a case so that the State litigants and the public will have confidence
in a fair and impartial tribunal.
Randy Roll, Democrat
20 years experience, Criminal Law with over 7000 cases. Lamar University, South Texas
College of Law graduate. Formerly school teacher, contractor, polyglot Only attorney in Harris
County called by the judges to accept cases in 5 different languages, Spanish, Russian, German,
French, English. Running to restore balance and fairness.
A judge must disqualify/recuse him/herself in any proceeding in which his/her impartiality
might reasonably be questioned.This would include personal bias and prejudice against or for a
party. Also, I believe when there is the appearance of or perception of bias or favor.
Don Stricklin, Republican
337th
I was appointed Judge of the 337th District Court in December 1999. I served over 26 years as a
Harris County assistant district attorney, including 12 years as first assistant to Johnny Holmes.
I have trial experience both as prosecutor and judge in hundreds of felony cases, including
capital murders.
A judge should recuse himself/ herself when required by law. And if for any reason a judge cannot be fair to both sides, he/she should recuse himself/ herself. This promotes public confidence
in the judiciary and our legal system.
Herb Ritchie, Democrat
U.T. honor graduate (B.A. 1967, M.A. 1969, J.D. 1974); numerous honors and awards: Phi Beta
Kappa; Phi Delta Phi; Eta Sigma Phi; Teacher’s Award-Mortgages; third highest grade, Texas
Bar Examination. Taught at U.T.-Austin and Baylor. Practicing attorney, 34 years; Board
Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board, Legal Specialization (1987).
Fairness and impartiality are the cornerstones of our justice system. Judges cannot be biased in
favor of or prejudiced against any party appearing before them. When a judge has an interest in
the outcome of a case, recusal is proper, and another judge should hear the case. I would recuse
myself when necessary to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Licenciatura con honores de la Universidad de Texas (Bachiller en Filosofía y Letras en 1967,
Maestría en Humanidades 1969, Doctorado en Jurisprudencia 1974), numerosos honores y
condecoraciones: Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi; Eta Sigma Phi; Premio de los Maestros
- Hipotecas; tercer lugar en la calificacion del examen para la abogacía. Fue maestro en La
Universidad de Texas y en la universidad Baylor. Abogado ejerciendo abogacía durante 34 años;
Certificado en derecho penal por el Consejo de Texas de Especializaciones en Derecho (1987).
La igualdad y la imparcialidad son los fundamentos de nuestro sistema de justicia. Los jueces
no pueden estar prejuiciados ni a favor ni en contra de ningún sujeto que comparezca ante ellos. Cuando un juez tiene algún interés en el resultado de un caso, lo apropiado es recusarse y otro
juez debería oír el caso. Yo me recusaría cuando fuera necesario para evitar hasta la menor
apariencia de algo inapropiado. CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGE, 338th judicial district
Brock Thomas, Republican
338th
Since 2002, I have presided over thousands of serious criminal cases that impact our community. Additionally, I preside over one of Harris County’s drug rehabilitation courts and consistently receive high ratings in the Houston Bar Association’s qualification and evaluation pools.
I was a prosecutor for nine years before becoming judge.
Rule 18b of the Rules of Civil Procedure governs when judges are to recuse themselves. If called
for under the rule, I would recuse myself. If not, I will fulfill my duty as judge and preside over
the case. Since each case is unique, whether recusal is called for under the rule will depend on
the circumstances of the case.
Hazel B. Jones, Democrat
Graduate of the University of Texas and Howard Law School, Hazel has eleven years of experience as an Assistant District Attorney, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and as a Criminal
Defense Attorney. Hazel’s well-balanced professional experience brings a broader perspective
to the courtroom ensuring fairness and confidence in the judicial system.
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 18(b)(2) governs grounds for recusal of judges; among other
things, it targets circumstances involving outright bias on the part of the judge as well as circumstances where a judge’s impartiality is called into question, and or where the judge’s family
member has an interest that could be affected by the judicial proceeding.
El graduado de la Universidad de Texas y la Escuela de Derecho de Howard, Hazel tiene once
años de experiencia como un Ayudante el Fiscal público, como un Ayudante Especial de el
Abogado de los Estados Unidos de America, y como un Abogado de Defensa criminal. La
experiencia bien equilibrada profesional de Hazel trae una más amplia perspectiva a la sala de
tribunal que asegura la imparcialidad y la confianza en el sistema judicial.
Las Reglas de Texas del Procedimiento 18 Civil (b) (2) gobiernan razones para la recusación de
jueces. Entre otras cosas, la ley enfoca en circunstancias que implican parcialidad de parte del
juez así como circunstancias donde la imparcialidad de un juez es puesta en duda, y o donde el
miembro de familia del juez tiene un interés que podría ser afectado por el proceder judicial.
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QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
(60 word limit)
Caprice Cosper, Republican
339th
Elected 1992, I have presided over 25,000 felony cases, including 500 jury trials and 10 death
penalty trials. A former prosecutor, I frequently speak on criminal law, developed Harris
County’s first Drug Court Program and was named 2004 Judge of the Year by the State Bar’s
Criminal Law Section. www.capricecosper.com
The circumstances requiring a judge’s recusal flow from two guiding principles: when a judge’s
impartiality might reasonably be questioned or when a judge has a personal bias or prejudice
concerning the subject matter or a party. The law governing when a judge must recuse himself
is embodied in Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18(b) and the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Maria T. “Terri” Jackson, Democrat
Judge, City of Houston 2003-present. Featured Mayor Bill White’s Spotlight stating”.Judge
Jackson’s determination to see every case to a fair conclusion while adding humanity and compassion is invaluable to Houston’s citizens.” B.A. University of Texas at Arlington, Honors
Graduate 1987. J. D.Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 1998. www.mariaTJacksonforJudge.com
A Judge must recuse herself or himself not only when it is constitutionally required but should
recuse himself or herself anytime their impartiality might be reasonably be questioned, including instances in which they have a personal bias or a prejudice or a personal knowledge of the
facts of a case. Judges are held to higher standards and should always conduct themselves to
help the public maintain confidence in our justice system.
Juez, Ciudad de Houston 2003-presente. Elogio publico por parte del alcalde Bill White diciendo: La determinación de la Juez Jakson para asegurar la conclusión justa de cada caso y
a su vez añadiendo esa humanidad y compasión, es notablemente beneficioso para el pueblo
de Houston.” Bachillerato de Universidad de Texas- Arlington, Graduada con honores 1987.
Doctorado Jurisprudencia - - Facultad de Derecho- Universidad Texas Wesleyan 1998. www.
mariaTJacksonforJudge.com
Un juez debe retirarse de un caso no solamente cuando es requerido constitucionalmente
pero también en cualquier momento que su imparcialidad esté en duda, incluyendo momentos
cuando pueda haber prejuicio personal o conocimiento previo de los hechos del caso. Los jueces
deben obedecer un código de conducta mayor y ayudar al público a mantener confianza en
nuestro sistema judicial. CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGE, 351st judicial district
Mark Kent Ellis, Republican
I worked at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for 8 years. I have served as Judge of
the 351st District Court for 12 years. I tried over 100 criminal jury trials as a lawyer. I have
presided over more than 400 jury trials as a judge. judgemarkkentellis.com
351st
Trabaje por ocho aos con La Oficina del Fiscal del Distrito del Condado de Harris. He fungido
como juez del Juzgado 351 de Distrito por 12 anos. Como abogado litigu ms de 100 juicios
penales. Como juez presid ms de 400 juicios penales. judgemarkkentellis.co
A judge should recuse himself if he has a conflict of interest or a personal bias that renders him
unable to make decisions fair to all parties.
Cuando un juez tienen un conflicto de intereses o prejuicio, que le impidan tomar decisiones
justas para todas las partes, deber recusarse as mismo.
Mekisha Murray, Democrat
I am a South Texas College of Law Graduate, former Assistant District Attorney and a current
criminal defense attorney. I will apply the law fairly and impartially. Everyone who comes
before me will be treated with respect and dignity. Please visit my web page to learn more,
www.murray4judge.com.
Judges must always remain completely impartial to ensure the integrity of the Judicial System. That is why a judge should recuse himself or herself at the mere appearance of impropriety. A
judge must recuse himself or herself if financially involved in the case, if bias against a party
or witness or the facts of the case.
FAMILY CIVIL DISTRICT COURT
These courts in this division handle family matters: adoptions, birth records, child welfare and custody, child support, and marriage annulments and divorce. Judges are elected for four-year terms.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
What do you see as the most critical administration of justice issue facing Family courts?
How would you address it? (60 word limit)
FAMILY CIVIL DISTRICT JUDGE, 312th judicial district (unexpired term)
312th
(unexpired
term)
David Farr, Republican
24
Judge, 312th Family District Court since 11/2007. Former Associate Judge, 257th Family Court. Family Law Board Certification. Former child support prosecutor, Harris County Domestic
Relations. Private practice experience. Highly rated by Houston Bar Association. Lieutenant
Colonel, Texas Army National Guard JAG and Global War on Terror/Operation Enduring
Freedom veteran.
Crowded dockets. Our population has exploded. There are only nine family law courts in
Harris County. Even in efficient courts, some cases aren’t resolved for two or three years. That
puts strains on families and children. In the 312th, I have streamlined docket procedures and
enforced stricter mediation requirements to address this issue.
Robert Hinojosa, Democrat
I am a former family district court judge and have practiced family law over 36 years, as a trial
attorney handling every facet of family law many times; a board-certified specialist since 1978;
a frequent speaker on family law topics throughout Texas. I have the knowledge, competence,
ethics and compassion.
Whenever there is the reality or the appearance of a conflict of interest. I have had personal or
professional contact with thousands of citizens, as clients, opponents or personal friends, as a
trial attorney over 36 years, and as a community and church activist. When a litigant or witness
is someone I know, I raise the issue immediately.
Anteriormente fui juez de una corte familiar de distrito y he ejercido leyes por más de 36 años,
como abogado tribunal manejando muchas veces toda clase de ley familiar; especialista certificado por junta directiva desde 1978; orador frecuente en tópicos de ley familiar por todas partes
de Texas. Tengo el conocimiento, competencia, ética y compasión.
Cada vez que existe la realidad o la apariencia de conflicto de interés. He tenido contacto personal o profesional con miles de ciudadanos, como clientes, contrincantes o amigos personales,
como abogado tribunal de más de 36 años, y como activista de la comunidad y de la iglesia. Cuando un litigante o testigo es alguien que conozco, alzo el asunto inmediatamente.
HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Represents the State of Texas in criminal cases pending in Harris County Criminal District Courts and in all inferior courts of the county. Screens all cases and advises police and citizens on criminal justice matters. Primary
duty is to see that justice is done. 4-year term.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
How can the District Attorney’s office avoid allegations of selective
prosecution? Please discuss. (60 word limit)
Pat Lykos, Republican
COUNTY
Bachelor/Science and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees. Served as police officer while attending
college and law school; practiced law in federal, state and local courts; judge for twenty years,
presiding over more than 20,000 felonies; adjunct professor of law and CLE presenter; and
board member of organizations dedicated to public safety.
I will be the leader who is responsible and accountable to prevent selective prosecution and
sentencing. I will establish the Ethics and Professionalism Division which will promulgate and
publish standards to ensure justice, equal application of the law and vigorous prosecution of law
breakers. Transparency and community access to the office avoids the appearance of injustice
and creates public trust.
C. O. “Brad” Bradford, Democrat
Degrees in Law, Criminal Justice and Public Affairs and graduate of FBI Academy’s National
Executive Institute. Houston Police officer for 24 years, Chief of Police for 7 years. Attorney
for 15 years, including as partner in law firm. Consultant in litigation support, public safety
and homeland security.
Licenciaturas de Ley, Justicia Criminales, Asuntos Gubernamentales y el graduado del
Instituto Ejecutivo Nacional del FBI. Veterano de policía de Houston por 24 años, Jefe de Policia
durante 7 años. Abogado con 15 años de experencia, inclusive Executivo de bufete de abogados.
Asesor de seguridad pública para la agencia de seguridad nacional.
The District Attorney must obey the law, respect the principle of justice and pursue the truth.
I will be visible and accessible to all communities to educate citizens regarding the criminal
justice process. I will change the culture of the DA’s Office with a diverse staff. Our mission
will not be to “win” but to ensure that justice is done.
El Fiscal del distrito debe obedecer la ley, respetar los principios de la justicia y asegurar la
verdad. Seré visible y accesible a todas comunidades para educar a ciudadanos con respecto al
proceso de la justicia. Cambiaré la cultura de la Oficina del DA con un personal diverso. Nuestra
misión no será de “ganar” pero asegurar que se haga justicia.
COUNTY JUDGE (unexpired term)
This Judge resides over commissioners court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations. This office is responsible for calling elections, posting election notices and for receiving
and canvassing the election returns. The county judge may perform marriages. This office is also head of civil defense and disaster relief, and county welfare. The County Judge is elected for a four year term.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Please describe your education, your occupation, and the training and experience that
qualify you for this position. (50 word limit)
What are three important issues facing the county at this time?
Discuss how would you address them? (60 word limit)
Edward M. Emmett, Republican
COUNTY
County Judge Ed Emmett exhibits calm, steady leadership. His experience as Interstate
Commerce Commissioner, State Representative in the Texas Legislature, and internationally
recognized transportation policy expert give him the broad perspective necessary to lead the
nation’s third largest county. B.A., Economics, Rice University, Master’s, U.T. – Austin.
Mobility: County Judge Ed Emmett is leading the effort to meet transportation needs with a
balance of highways, toll roads, public transit and commuter rail. Emergency Preparedness: Harris County is a national model. Ed Emmett is committed to protecting the health and safety
of residents. Leadership: Ed Emmett promotes low taxes, the highest ethical standards, and
innovative programs.
David Mincberg, Democrat
A native of Harris County, I attended public schools through UT Law School. My career as a
businessman resulted in nearly $1 billion of economic activity in Harris County, providing safe
and affordable housing, and employed thousands. I also served as Bill White’s dollar-a-year
executive in charge of Housing Policy.
Un natural del condado de Harris, I atendió a escuelas públicas a través de colegio de abogados
de UT. Mi carrera como un hombre de negocios dio lugar a casi $1 mil millones de actividad
económica en el condado de Harris, proporcionando la cubierta segura y comprable, y empleó
millares. También serví como ejecutivo del dólar-uno-año del blanco de la cuenta a cargo de
la política de cubierta.
Reduce crime and make communities safer by putting resources into crime prevention. Reform
ethics and eliminate corruption by ending the pay-for-play system. Create long-term solutions to
transportation challenges by implementing a comprehensive mass transit plan.
Reduzca el crimen y haga a comunidades más seguras poniendo recursos en la prevención del
crimen. Reforme el ética y elimine la corrupción terminando el sistema del pagar-para-juego.
Cree las soluciones a largo plazo a los desafíos del transporte poniendo un plan total comprensivo del tránsito en ejecución.
PROBATE COURT JUDGE (unexpired term)
This court has jurisdiction over the probation of wills, appointment of guardians, and the settlement
partition and distribution of estates. Probate Courts Nos. 3 and 4 share processing of the mental illness
QUESTIONS TO
dockets with staff support by Court No. 3. Each judge is elected for a four-year term.
CANDIDATES:
Georgia Akers, Republican
Recently appointed, Georgia has 17 years of probate experience, 8 in private practice and the past
nine years with Probate Court No. 3. She was Associate Judge the last 2 years. She is Board
Certified in Probate and Estate Planning. She has a Masters in Counseling, an asset for this court.
See www.judgeakers.com
No. 1
Elegida recientemente, Georgia tiene 17 años de experiencia de la Legalización de un Testamento, 8
en adiestramiento privado y los últimos nueve años con Probate Court No. 3. Ella era juez asociada
estos últimos 2 años. Ella esta Certificada con la Consejerilla en Legalización de un Testamento e
Impuestos del Estado. Ella tiene su Maestría en Consejos, una ventaja para esta corte.
kathy stone
Democrat
29 year lawyer. 18 years Judicial Experience. Former President of Texas Association of District
Judges. Recognized by Texas Senate for her exceptional service to the people of Texas. Voted
“Women of Excellence” by the Federation of Houston Professional Women. More about Judge
Kathy Stone at www.ElectJudgeStone.com
Abogado por 29 anos. 18 anos de experiencia juridica. Anteriormente presidente de Texas
Association of District Judges. Reconocido por el Senado del Estado de Texas para su
servicio excepcional a la gente de Texas. Elegida “Mujer de Excelencia” por la Federation
of Houston Professional Women. Mas informacion acerca de Juez Kathy Stone a www.
ElectJudgeStone.com
What do you see as the most critical issue facing the court and
how could you address it? (60 word limit)
Probate involves grieving families. I have instituted reforms involving attorney fees and
appointments to avoid the appearance of patronage by cultivating a broader selection and careful
review of fees. The judge must be empathetic and compassionate to the needs of the clients. I
am. I have also initiated an open door policy to make the court available to serve citizens.
La legalización de un testamento involucra la desolación de las familias. He instituido reformas
que implican honorarios y citas del abogado para evitar el aspecto del patrocinio, cultivando
una selección más amplia y una revisión cuidadosa de honorarios. El juez debe ser piadoso y
compasivo a las necesidades de los clientes. Yo Soy. También he iniciado un sistema de puerta
abierta para hacer la corte disponible para servir a los ciudadanos.
Charges of favoritism, approval of high fees and questionable expenditures for court appointed
professionals have hurt the once sterling reputation of this Court. I will bring public trust back
by ending favoritism, by expanding the list of qualified court appointed professional, by limiting
the amount that can be charged and reducing or eliminating any unnecessary or unreasonable
fees or expenses.
Acusaciones de favoritismo, aprobacion de honorarios grandes, y gastos dudosos para profesionales nombrados por la Corte han danado la fama excelente anterior de este Corte. Yo voy a
restablecer la confianza publica por terminar favoritismo, por ampliar la lista de profesionales
competentes nombrados por la Corte, por limitar la cantidad cobrada por tales profesionales, y
por reducir o eliminar cualquier cargo o costo no necesario o razonable.
25
HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY
Represents State, County, Flood Control District, and their officers and employees in all civil matters in the courts. Provides legal advice to elected and appointed officers regarding their official duties. Operates law
enforcement program designed to protect consumers, public health and environment. Provides revenue enforcement services such as toll road fines, hot check and alarm fees. 4-year term.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
What are the most critical issues facing this office? Please discuss.
(60 word limit)
Mike Stafford, Republican
COUNTY
Mike Stafford became Harris County Attorney in March 2001 and had previously served as the
First Assistant for four years. He was First Assistant County Attorney in Liberty County for ten
years and in private practice for six. His law degree is from South Texas College of Law.
The County Attorney’s Office must continue to provide high-quality protective services for
children and adults. We must work actively with other county departments to protect the
environment. We must continue the tradition of trust our clients have in the County Attorney’s
Office so that they will use our services pro-actively to avoid issues that lead to lawsuits
Vince Ryan, Democrat
I am a former First Assistant County Attorney, Houston City Council Member, Board Member
of the Panama Canal Commission and a retired Reserve Army Lieutenant Colonel. My civic
and professional background is long, broad and varied with service on many non-profit boards
and affiliations with several prominent law firms.
Harris County Government is a system of checks and balances. When those don’t work, the
scandals now confronting us occur with frequency. The County Attorney is the civil attorney for
virtually all of the officials and employees of the County and is a key to honest, efficient county
government. Independence is a necessity and that independence is now sorely lacking!
He servido como el Primer Abogado Asistente el Condado de Harris, como un miembro del
Ayuntamiento de Houston, y como un miembro de la comisión del Canal de Panamá. También
soy un teniente coronel retirado de la Reserva del Ejército de los EE.UU. La lista de mis credenciales profesionales y mi experiencia cívica es larga y variada y incluye servicio en muchos
consejos no lucrativos y también filiaciones con varias firmas prominentes de abogados.
El Gobierno del Condado de Harris es un sistema de restricciones y el equilibrio de fuerzas,
pero cuando este sistema no funcione, escándalos—como los que veamos hoy en día—ocurren
con frecuencia. El Abogado del Condenado es el abogado civil por casi todos los funcionarios
y empleados del Condado, y él es la clave para crear un gobierno honrado y eficiente. En este
puesto, independencia es una necesidad, y hoy día esa independencia es precisamente que nos
falta y que necesitamos desesperadamente
HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK (unexpired term)
Duties include custodial care and safekeeping of all court records for the district courts and county criminal courts and accounting for all money paid in as deposits on civil cases waiting disposition and all monies awarded
to minors in court actions that are paid into the registry of the court. The department accounts for and processes child support payments and also coordinates the jury system for the courts. The District Clerk is
elected for a four-year term.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
Theresa Chang, Republican
With chemical engineering and law degrees, I understand judicial system and how to streamline
the process with innovation and technology. I was unanimously chosen by 59 district judges. In
a year, I have cut eFiling time by 83%, raised court clerks’ base salary, and returned $700,000
unspent budget to County.
COUNTY
Con titulos de academia de Engenieria Quimica y De Ley, yo entiendo el systema y como
aerodinamizar el proceso con innovacion y tecnologia. En un ano, he cortado el tiempo de
eFiling por 83%, he subido el salario base de los oficinistas de la tribunal y regrese $700,000 al
presupuesto del condado.
Loren Jackson, Democrat
I attended the U.S. Military Academy – West Point, have a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M
University, and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law. I am a Litigation Attorney with a
downtown firm having had virtually daily interaction with the Clerk’s Office throughout my
legal career.
Atendí la Academia militar de West Point. Recibí una licenciatura por parte de la Universidad
de Texas A.M. y un doctorado en derecho en la Escuela de Derecho en South Texas College of
Law. Soy abogado litigante en un despacho de abogados localizado en el centro de la cuidad,
y a lo largo de ejercicio profesional, he tenido contacto diario con la oficina de Secretario de
Distrito.
What are the most critical issues facing this office?
Please discuss. (60 word limit)
The most critical issue is the increasing demands placed on the judicial system and the necessity for creative and cost-effective solutions. We want to continue being the leader in Texas in
innovation and technology. We have developed many applications to save taxpayers’ time and
money, including eGov, eDoc, eCourt, eFiling, jury services and child support services through
the Web.
La cuestion mas critica es el crecimiento de las demandas puestas en el sistema judicial y la
necesidad para soluciones creativas and costo-efectivas. Queremos continuar siendo el lider en
Tejas en innovacion and tecnologia. Hemos desarrollado muchas aplicaciones para guardarle a
los contribuyentes tiempo y dinero, encluyendo eGov, eDoc, eCourt, eFiling, servicios de jurado
y servicios demantenimiento de ninos por el Web.
The office needs: immediate technological innovation; standardized electronic case management; standardized county-wide electronic filing that integrates with other counties; digitizing
and disposing of paper records; improved customer service; full access to view/print documents
online; increased community presence; proper stewardship and application of taxpayer money;
effective management; and, to ensure Clerks are both well-trained and retained.
Son necesarias innovaciones tecnológico inmediatas, administración de casos de manera
electrónica y estandarizadas, un sistema electrónico de archivamiento en todo el condado y
combinado con otros condados, digitalización de registros e eliminación de papeleo, mejorar
los servicios para clientes, amplio acceso para ver e imprimir documentos en línea, aumentar la
presencia de la Dependencia en la comunidad, manejo apropiado de dineros de los contribuyentes, una administración eficaz, y asegurar la capacitación y permanecía de los secretarios.
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF
The Sheriff is the principal law enforcement officer with jurisdiction throughout the county to serve as conservator of the peace and to maintain custody of persons committed to jail by various courts in the county.
Responsibilities include furnishing bailiffs in all state courts and warrant officers for criminal courts; patrol officers in unincorporated areas; detective and investigation service, returns prisoners from other jurisdictions.
Collects bond forfeitures.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
What improvements would you
make in the way this office functions? Please explain.
(60 word limit)
COUNTY
Tommy Thomas, Republican
Forty years law enforcement experience. First sheriff in modern history to serve in every rank
within Sheriff’s Office. Over 2500 hours law enforcement/management training. Licensed
as Master Peace Officer by T.C.L.E.O.S.E. Graduate of Department of Justice’s prestigious
National Executive Institute in Washington, D.C.
Enhance Homeland Security presence with additional personnel and equipment, including some
boats to patrol port. New Inmate Processing Center to replace outdated systems and equipment. Enhance the operations of the newly created Mental Health Unit and expand its operations.
Adrian Garcia, Democrat
I am committed to bringing transparency, accountability, and integrity to the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office to restore public trust in the department. Priorities for my administration will
include addressing current staff shortages, address the County Jail problems, and actively
collaborate with members of the community and all area law enforcement agencies to more
effectively and efficiently protect our citizens. I served as an HPD Officer for 23 years and received a mayoral appointment as Director of the
Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office. I have been elected three times to Houston City Council, serving as
Chair the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. This year Mayor White appointed
me as Mayor Pro-tem.
Serví de policía de Houston por 23 años y fui nombrado Director de la Oficina del Alcalde
Contra las Pandillas. He sido elegido al Concejo Municipal de Houston tres veces, sirviendo de
Presidente del Comité de Seguridad Pública y del Comité de Seguridad Nacional. Este año el
Alcalde White me designó como Alcalde Pro-tem.
26
Estoy comprometido a traer transparencia, responsabilidad, e integridad a la Oficina del Sheriff
del Condado de Harris para restaurar la confianza del público en el departamento. Prioridades
de mi administración incluirán dirigir la escasez actual del personal, dirigir los problemas de
la cárcel del condado, y colaborar enérgicamente con miembros de la comunidad y todas las
agencias de la ley del área para proteger a nuestros ciudadanos más efectiva y eficazmente.
COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR
The Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for collection of property taxes, the hotel-motel tax, and contracts with other taxing jurisdictions to collect their taxes. Other responsibilities include issuing licenses and titles
for motor vehicles, voter registration and mapping of voter precinct boundaries.
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
What challenges does this office face in managing the separate
functions of voter registration and tax collections? (60 word limit)
Paul Bettencourt, Republican – no response received
COUNTY
Diane Trautman, Democrat
Bachelors in English. Masters in Education. Doctorate in Educational Leadership. 10 years
administrative experience in Houston banking industry in Trust Asset Management and Energy
Lending. 23 years experience as teacher, principal, and professor of education administration. Not only have I led large organizations, I teach others to do the same.
We must be accountable to taxpayers and explore why Harris County has one of the worst tax
collection rates among major Texas counties, denying our schools, hospitals, and law enforcement critical funding. Additionally, a county our size should be leading the way in voter registration, and we are not. We must create a voter roll that is accurate and inclusive.
Licenciatura en Inglés. Grado de maestría en Educación. Diez años de experiencia administrativa en el sector bancario. Veintitrés años experiencia como profesora, directora, y profesora
de la administración de educación. No sólo he dirigido organizaciones grandes, yo enseño a
otros hacer lo mismo.
Debemos ser responsables ante los pagadores de impuestos y explorar porqué el condado de
Harris tiene una de las tasas peores de la recaudación de impuestos entre los condados mas
grandes de Tejas. Además, un condado del tamaño del nuestro debe ser el mejor en el registro
de votantes. Debemos crear un registro del votante que sea exacto e inclusivo.
Jeffrey McGee
Libertarian
I have a degree in computer engineering from Texas A&M, and I currently teach high school
math.
The office receives pressure to collect more taxes to pay for increasing government spending;
it has to assess property values honestly. The office also has to balance protecting the right to
vote with preventing fraudulent voting.
COUNTY SCHOOL TRUSTEE
This office serves as a member of the School Board which is the governing body of the County Department of Education. The Board appoints the county school superintendent and arbitrates controversies between
independent school districts within the county. Members serve without pay and are elected to six year terms.
QUESTIONS TO
position 5, at large
CANDIDATES:
One of the goals of the Harris County Department of Education is to have
programs to improve achievement for learners. What initiatives and policies would
you strive for to meet that goal? (60 word limit)
Mike Riddle, Republican – no response received
Debra “Debby” Kerner, Democrat
Columbia University, MS Speech Pathology. Syracuse University, BS Speech Pathology, Audiology,
Education. Speech pathologist, bringing 25 + years of excellence and experience in education.
Worked in public and private schools through private practice, Southwest Speech. Currently serving a school for children with autism. Dedicated to quality education to improve lives.
MS en Patología de lenguaje de la Universidad Columbia. BS en Patología de lenguaje,
Audiología y Educación de la Universidad de Syracuse. Patólogo de lenguaje con más de 25
años de excelencia y experiencia en educación. Trabajé en escuelas públicas y privadas por
medio de ejercicio privado en Southwest Speech. Actualmente sirvo a en una escuela para
niños con autismo. Me dedico a la educación de calidad para mejorar vidas.
Initiatives and policies that provide students with a sound basic education and expand skills for
life and vocational training programs. Reduce the drop-out rate by helping learners earn H.S.
diplomas and GEDs. Have policies to maintain teacher standards and increase compensation. Maintain Head Start which improves achievement for learners. Provide research based education for students with special needs. www.DebraKerner4Education.com.
Iniciativas y pólizas que provean a los estudiantes con una educación básica y sólida que extienda las destrezas por vida y programas de entrenamiento vocacional. Reducir el número de los
que dejan la escuela ayudándolos a obtener diplomas de secundaria y diplomas de GED. Tener
pólizas que mantengan normas para los maestros y para aumentar su compensación. Mantener
el programa Head Start el cual mejora el éxito de los principiantes. Proveer educación basada
en investigación para estudiantes con necesidades especiales.
position 7, at large
Stan Stanart, Republican – no response received
Jim Henley, Democrat
Education: B.S. Degree, University of the Ozarks. Masters Degree in Education, Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary. Careen In Education: Teacher & Debate Coach, Sidney Lanier
Middle School (HISD) 1987-2007. Teacher of the Year 2006 (Lanier). Coach of Five Time
National Debate Team (Lanier).
With four out of ten Harris County students never graduating, we must provide early childhood
education and head start programs for all the children of Harris County. These proven programs
enable children to begin the first grade prepared for success. Currently the waiting list for these
programs are long and children are being turned away.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
This office is a member of Commissioners Court, which supervises and controls the courthouses and jails. They appoint and employ personnel, fill vacancies in elective and appointive positions, determine county tax rates,
adopt budget, call bond elections, set voting precinct boundaries, let contracts, build and maintain roads, bridges, libraries and parks, and appoint members to numerous boards and commissions. Within each members
precinct, a Commissioner is directly responsible for administration, parks, road and bridge programs. This office is elected for a four year term.
QUESTIONS TO
1
CANDIDATES:
There is a national crisis in infrastructure, maintenance and improvements. How do you plan
to address this issue with regard to roads and bridges in your precinct? (60 word limit)
El Franco Lee, Democrat – no response received
Jorgen Nelson, Libertarian – no response received
PRECINCT 3
Steve Radack, Republican
I’ve learned much about Precinct Three neighborhoods and issues during four terms as
Commissioner. My previous experience as Precinct Five Constable, a Houston Police Officer
and a small business owner has given me the leadership experience and community ties to
improve our quality of life.
I believe in safety first. As Commissioner, I insist on regular inspections with a strong focus
on preventive maintenance. I feel confident that we have a successful program in place and no
infrastructure in danger. That’s the main job of a Commissioner and my co-workers in Precinct
Three do excellent work.
Dexter Handy, Democrat
I am a retired Air Force LtCol with 28 year’s service and a USAF Academy Graduate. I commanded a squadron, directed civil engineering construction projects, logistics, Information &
Surveillance Systems operations, and Crisis Response operations. I directed DoD’s worldwide
Computer Emergency Response Team. International experience with European senior General
Officers.
Crime must be reduced. We can accomplish this with integrated communications systems
between City and County First Responders. More Transportation solutions must be made
available to our citizens. A county-wide rail transit system should be pursued. Flooding in our
neighborhoods is out of control. I want clear lines of responsibility established for flood control
of the neighborhoods in the County. League of Women Voters Houston • General Election 2008 Voters Guide
27
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Have jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. e.g. assault, bail jumping, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, bad check writing, public intoxication, theft. Hears civil cases involving up
QUESTIONS TO
1, 1
Dale M. Gorczynski, Democrat – no response received
Derrick J. Anderson Sr., Libertarian – no response received
2-3
Jo Ann Delgado, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT 2, PLACE 1
Michael “Mike” Parrott, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT
4, 1
What is the most critical issue facing the Justice of the Peace courts
and how would you address it? (60 word limit)
J. Kent Adams, Republican –
5, 1
Russ Ridgway, Republican – no response received
Peter Rene, Democrat – no response received
6-7
CANDIDATES:
to $10,000. Issues warrants, handles miscellaneous complaints, performs marriages, issues commitment
papers for the mentally ill, issue search and arrest warrants. Judges are elected for a four year term.
Richard C. Vara, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT 6, PLACE
Hilary Green, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT 7, PLACE 1
3, PLACE 1
running unopposed in PRECINCT 4, PLACE 1
1
¡REGÍSTRESE,
INFÓRMESE
Y VOTE
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE continued
Have jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only. e.g. assault, bail jumping, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, bad check writing, public intoxication, theft. Hears civil cases involving up
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
to $10,000. Issues warrants, handles miscellaneous complaints, performs marriages, issues commitment
papers for the mentally ill, issue search and arrest warrants. Judges are elected for a four year term.
What is the most critical issue facing the Justice of the Peace courts
and how would you address it? (60 word limit)
Holly Williamson, Republican
Precinct 8, Place 1
As an attorney, practicing ten years in Federal, State, and JP courts, I have the training and
experience necessary to judge the difficult cases. As a Wife and Mother, of a teenager, I understand the important impact the JP court can have on, small businesses, families and our youth.
Por más de diez años he practicado leyes en cotes federales, del estado y tribunales de juez de paz.
Tengo la experiencia necesaria para juzgar los casos difíciles que aun enfrentan nuestra sociedad.
Como esposa, y madre, yo entiendo el impacto que el Juez de Paz tiene con familias y nuestra juventud. Como abogada, entiendo el impacto que nuestras decisiones tiene con las empresas pequeñas.
Jeff Heintschel, Democrat
Graduated UH Clear Lake 5/93 with BA in history; graduated Thurgood Marshall School of
Law 5/96; practiced law since 11/96 in almost all areas of law; court appointed to represent
children and indigent persons; served as Special Master in Family Courts; lived in Justice
Precinct entire life.
Formación Académica-Licenciatura en historia. Universidad de Houston-Clear Lake, Houston,
Texas. 1993-Facultad de derecho de Thurgood Marshall. Universidad de Texas Southern
University. Houston, Texas. 1996. Desde 1996 he ejercido derecho en casi todo de las áreas de
derecho. También ha rereprenstado niños y gente indigente designado del juzgado. Servir de
maestro especial en la corte de familia. Por fin tambien he vivido en el recinto judicial toda
mi vida.
J.P. Court runs the gamut from small claims to criminal. But I believe the most critical issue is
truancy. We have to continue implementing progressive programs and partnering with the local
school districts. I take the affect of a decision on the future of our youth seriously and will make
rulings, including the need for punishment, fit the crime. El tribunal de Juez de paz recorre toda la gama de pequeños reclamos criminales. En mi opinión, el asunto más crítico es el ausentismo por los estudiantes que deben de estar en la escuela.
Tenemos que continuar con los programas progresivos en los distritos escolares. Yo hare decisiones firmes pero justas para proteger futuro de nuestra juventud.
The most critical issue facing this position is children that are brought before the court for
truancy and other charges. To address these issues, successful mentoring and peer programs
should be continued and expanded so that peers are involved in all aspects of the punishment/
rehabilitation process. Further, court and staff should work closely with teachers and school
administrators. www.heintschelforjustice.com
Niños que vienen delante de corte para ausentos y otras causas es la mas crítico ausento. Los
ausentos pueden tener mas éxito con programas que ayudan los niños con problemas y también
pueden hablar con gente que tienen las mismas problemas. Éstas programas deben seguir con
los que están haciendo y también deben ser mas grande para que los niños están en el mismo
grupo social. Con eso pueden estár mas interesado en todo de proceso de castigo y rehabilitación. También el corte y personal necesitan trabajar juntos y tener má atenciónes con los maestros y los administradores de la escuela. www.heintschelforjustice.com
CONSTABLE
Constables are authorized peace officers and chief process servers with county-wide jurisdiction to serve
papers for suits involving debt, divorce, foreclosure, eviction writs and court summons. They issue criminal
QUESTIONS TO
1
CANDIDATES:
warrants through JP Courts and provide bailiffs for those courts.
How does this office avoid allegations of inequities based on race? What steps should be
taken to ensure that this is not a problem in your precinct? (60 word limit)
Nat Gutierrez, Republican – no response received
Jack Abercia, Democrat – no response received
Precinct 2
Daniel Vela, Republican – no response received
Gary Freeman, Democrat
Constable Freeman graduated from Waltrip High School, attended San Jacinto College and
Lamar University and holds a Masters Peace Officer’s License. He has 36 years law-enforcement experience and has been the elected Pct. 2 Constable for twenty years, aggressively pursuing deadbeat parents who refuse to pay child support.
Constable Freeman avoids allegations of inequities of all types by having an open-door policy
and aggressively addressing every complaint. We strictly follow the County’s Grievance Policy
and train all employees in the recognition and reporting of any violation of these policies.
Violations of these policies are not tolerated! Deputies receive training in Cultural Diversity
every two years.
To find out where your precinct votes on Election Day:
Call 713.755.6965 or 713.368.2200
28
www.harrisvotes.com or www.hcvoter.net
CONSTABLE
QUESTIONS TO
CANDIDATES:
How does this office avoid allegations of inequities based on race? What steps should be
taken to ensure that this is not a problem in your precinct? (60 word limit)
Tony Lewis, Republican – no response received
Precinct 3
Ken Jones, Democrat
Elected Constable at this time, been a Police Administrator for 34 years with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Business Management, Associates Degree in Police Science with a Master Peace
Officer’s License. I oversee the $10,500,000 budget and operation of the fourth largest
Constable’s Department in the state of Texas.
Al momento he sido elegido como un Constable, he sido administrador de la policía por 34 años.
Tengo un titulo universitario en mantenimiento de negocios y otro en ciencias políticas con una
licencia de Oficial de Paz. Proveo $10,500,000 del presupuesto y operaciones en el departamento de Constables en Texas que también es el 4to más grande del estado.
This is taken from my 2000 Mission statement that best reflects what this office is doing to
guard against inequities based on race. “We treat all persons in a dignified and courteous
manner and exhibit understanding of ethnic and cultural diversity, both in our professional and
personal endeavors.” “Our commitment to the community is paramount in our thoughts and
actions.”
Esto está tomado de mi misión declarativa del año 2000 que indica lo que esta oficina esta
haciendo en referencia a las ineptitudes basadas en la raza. “Nosotros tramamos a todas las
personas de una manera digna y cortés y exhibimos un entendimiento de éticas culturales y
diversas, ambas en nuestras vidas profesionales y personales. Este compromiso nuestro es de
gran importancia en nuestros pensamientos y acciones.”
4
Ron Hickman, Republican – no response received
Phil Camus, Republican – no response received
Precinct 5
Sam Pearson, Democrat
Education: Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Sam Houston State
University and Texas Master Peace Officers Certification. Experience: Thirty-five years of
Law Enforcement with twenty years as a supervisor (Auto Theft, Internal Affairs, Patrol, etc). Expertise: Academic adjunct professor with Houston Community College in Criminal Justice
The Constable Office, under my command, will treat all persons equally in fair application of
the law. To ensure this, all personnel, including the command staff, will be held accountable
for their actions. Integrity will be established through cultural diversity training, community
communication, and accountability of daily operations. Trust is built on truth.
6-8
Victor Trevino, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT
May Walker, Democrat – running unopposed in PRECINCT 7
Bill Bailey, Republican – running unopposed in PRECINCT 8
6
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1
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Date: 11-07-2006
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29
Useful Telephone Numbers / Web sites
League of Women Voters – Houston Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lwvhouston.org / 713.784.2923
League of Women Voters of Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lwvtexas.org / 512.472.1100
The Democracy Network, national voter information resource of the League of Women Voters . . . . . . . . . . . www.dnet.org
Texas Secretary of State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.sos.state.tx.us/elections
U. S. House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.house.gov
Texas Legislature Online w/links to Texas House and Senate, legislation and other state resources . . . . www.capitol.state.tx.us
Harris County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.co.harris.tx.us / 713.755.5000
Harris County Clerk’s Voter/Election Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.harrisvotes.com / 713.755.6965
Harris County Voter Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.hcvoter.net / 713.368.2200
Texas Democratic Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.txdemocrats.org
Libertarian Party of Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.txlp.org
Republican Party of Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.texasgop.org
The Constitution of the United States was amended to give or broaden the Right to Vote…
• Male citizens, 21 years of age
• Male citizens regardless of race, color, former servitude
• Women citizens, 21 years of age
• Tax on registering to vote (Poll Tax) eliminated
• Voting age lowered to 18
Amendment XIV
Amendment XV
Amendment XIX
Amendment XXIV
Amendment XXVI
July 9, 1868
February 3, 1870
August 18, 1920
January 23, 1964
July 1, 1979
Your Right To Vote Is Precious – But Unused It Has No Value
★
VOTE!
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of Women
Voters
★
Membership Application
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization founded in 1920, encourages the informed
and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of
major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Name_________________________________________________________
For more information call the Houston Area League at 713.784.2923 or visit our web site, www.lwvhouston.org.
❏ One Year Individual Membership $65.00
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Or, complete the application form to join us and
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30
Address___________________City____________State ____Zip _______
Phone: Home______________________ Work ____________________
E-mail_______________________________Fax______________________
November 4, 2008 General and Special Elections
E a r ly V o ti n g S ch e d u l e
31
20
EARLY VOTING HOURS
33
32
Oct 20th - Oct 24th: 8 am to 4:30 pm
Oct 25th: 7 am to 7 pm
36
34
Oct 26th: 1 pm to 6 pm
HWY 249
US 59
HWY 290
Oct 27th - Oct 31st: 7 am to 7 pm
18
30
28
27
1
INSIDE LOOP 610
Moody Park: Moody Park Recreation Center,
3725 Fulton
3
Kashmere:
4
Downtown E: Ripley House,
4410 Navigation Blvd.
5
SE Houston: H.C.C.S. Southeast College,
6815 Rustic, A. Morales Bldg, Student Lounge
6
7
Main Office: Harris County Administration Building,
1001 Preston, 1st Floor
2
8
9
Astrodome: Fiesta Mart, Inc.,
8130 Kirby Drive
Metropolitan Mutli-Service Center,
1475 W.Gray
*
NE Houston: Northeast Multi-Service Center,
9720 Spaulding
10 Galena Park: Galena Park Branch Library,
11 Hobby Area: I.B.E.W. Hall #66,
12 Sunnyside: Sunnyside Multi-Service Center,
13 S. Houston: The Power Center,
14 SW Houston: Bayland Park Community Center,
1500 Keene Street, Galena Park
4345 Allen Genoa Road
4605 Wilmington
12401 South Post Oak Road
6400 Bissonnet near Hillcroft
15 Near West Side:Tracy Gee Community Center,
3599 Westcenter Drive
(One block East of Sam Houston Tollway)
16 *Spring Branch: Trini Mendenhall Sosa Com. Center,
1414 Wirt Road
17 Acres Home: Acres Home Multi-Service Center,
18 North:
17.
8
4
22
10
US 59
14
7
6
5
12
I-45
23
11
24
I-610
3
1
I-10
I-610
Julia C. Hester House,
2020 Solo St.
OUTSIDE LOOP 610
I-10
21
2
16
13
Palm Center: Justice of the Peace/Constable Entry,
5300 Griggs Road
Neartown:
17
15
26
25
35
BW 8
9
BW 8
29
19
I-45
OUTSIDE BELTWAY 8
19 Humble:
Octavia Fields Branch Library,
1503 South Houston Ave.,Humble
HC Library - Kingwood Branch,
4102 Rustic Woods, Kingwood
20 *Kingwood:
Beverly B. Kau
Harris County
21 Wallisville:
North Channel Library,
15741 Wallisville Road
22
Baytown:
Baytown Community Center - Tejas Room,
2407 Market Street, Baytown
23
Pasadena:
Harris County Courthouse Annex #25,
7330 Spencer Highway,Pasadena
Clear Lake:
Freeman Branch Library,
16616 Diana Lane,Clear Lake
24
25 Alief:
Alief Regional Library,
7979 South Kirkwood
For more information:
www.harrisvotes.com
(713) 755-6965
26 West Houston:Lac Hong Center,
6628 Wilcrest Dr.
12401 Katy Freeway
27 *Far W. Houston:Courtyard by Marriott,
28 Far West/Katy: Franz Road Storefront,
19818 Franz Road
O U T S I D E B E LT WAY 8 c o n t
29 Bear Creek: Bear Creek Park Community Center,
Bear Creek Drive @ Patterson Road
6719 W.Montgomery Road,2nd Floor
Hardy Senior Center
11901 West Hardy Road
Any eligible voter
may vote at
any one of
the early voting
polling locations.
30 Jersey Village:City of Jersey Village-City Hall,
31 Tomball:
32
16327 Lakeview Drive
Tomball Public Works Building,
501 B James, Tomball
Cypress Creek:Barbara Bush Library
817 Cypresswood, Spring
33 Far North:
Ponderosa Fire Station No.1,
17061 Rolling Creek Drive, Houston
34 Cypress:
Cypress Top Park,
26026 Hempstead Highway
35
Bush Park:
Glen Cheek Education Bldg
16002 Westheimer Parkway
College:
Willowchase Campus,
9449 Grant Road
36 * Lone Star * Indicates new or changed location
31
The League of Women Voters appreciates
the companies that make the Voters Guide possible.
Local Businesses Support Voters Guide Distribution to Schools and Libraries
Area schools and libraries will receive free Voters Guides thanks to the generosity of several companies. The companies shown below made this
happen. On behalf of the libraries and schools and our organization, the League of Women Voters – Houston Area sincerely thanks you.
elpaso
32
American Express
Hon. Sylvia Garcia
Andrews Kurth LLP
Houston Association of Realtors
Ann Herbage
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Ann L. MacNaughton, Merrill Lynch
Jones and Carter
Arnold and Langrand
League of Women Voters Houston Area
Ayrshire Corporation
Leslie Taylor
Baker Botts
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Bank of America
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
Blaine and Judy Hollinger
Lynne Johnson
CenterPoint Energy
Marathron Oil Co
Commissioner Jerry Eversole
Minnette Boesel Properties
Continental Airlines
Molly Shanks – Tina E. Bangs Foundation
El Paso Energy
Nathelyne Kennedy
ESPA
Pate Engineers
Exxon Mobil
Plumbers Local Union 68
Fulbright and Jaworski
Sharon Friedman
Gwen Essinger
Silver Eagle
Harris County
Sylvia Garcia
Hon. Annise Parker
Terri Hershey
Hon. Beverly Kaufman
Turbo Components and Engineering
Hon. Pam Holm
University of Houston Downtown
Hon. Peggy Hamric
Zarinkelk Engineers
Hon. Sue Lovell
Zinn Petroleum Company
League’s Education Funds Are Essential to Voters Guide
The Education Funds of the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area and the League of Women Voters of Texas make substantial contributions to the Harris County and the State Voters Guides.These Education Funds are supported by individuals, businesses
and foundations. Major contributors since September 2004 to the Education Funds are gratefully acknowledged and named below.
Education Fund
League of Women Voters of the Houston Area
Madeleine Appel
Barbara Lessis
Dorothy Burge
David Mohlman
Rosalie Halpin
Sam Keeper
Lynn Walshak
Mary Dix
Laura Blackburn
Purisima Funds
Susan Wegner
Henly Foundation
Braeburn Women’s Club
Claudia Williamson
Bette John
Molly Shanks
Lula Smith
Elmer Samson
Fran Smith
Francis Burford
Barbara Swartz
Joan Dinkler
Margaret Hill
Annie Johnson Benifield
Green/White Advisors
Billie Curtis
Linn Swartz
Joan Helfgott
MicroPore
Barbara Goins
Rita Hanna
Jane McColl
Elsie Sailant
Barbara Bartholomew
Jan Wilbur
Sheryl Berg
Donna Link
Katherine Guenther
Mary Titus
Christine Smith
Sharon Friedman
Sharon Cunningham
Center for Public Policy
Mrs. C. W. Wellen
Agnes Davis
Carolyn Hunnicutt-Armijo
Eleanor Tinsley
Christine Anderson
Fort Bend ISD
Martha Morrison
Carmen Forbes
Shana Story
Cynthia Biaska
Renee Cross
Joe Reilly
League of Women Voters
Safeway, Inc.
Virginia Camfield
Shirley Gibson
Education Fund
Kroger
Louis Feldman
Education Fund
League of Women Voters of Texas
Harold Simmons Foundation
Hatton Sumners Foundation
Association of Texas Professional Educators
Texas State Teachers Association
Texas Freedom Network Education Fund
Linda Wassenich
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauner & Feld, LLP
Elaine Bridges
Ruthann Geer
Susybelle Gosslee
Darlene Hicks
Julie Lowenberg
League of Women Voters Education Fund and
the Program on Constitutional and Legal Policy
of the Open Society Institute
Julia Marsden
Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers/ Bowers Foundation
Diane Sheridan
Valerie Standifer
Janet Imhoff
Julia Marsden
Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers/Bowers Foundation
Jacqueline Pike
Clint Zehner
33

LWV LWV - the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area

Transcripción

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