Democratic Primary Race in March, and the winner will take the seat in January
No General Election Race in November
| Court & Place | Democrat | Democrat | Notes/Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Karin Crump | Thomas Baker*
| Candidate (L) | |
| Texas Bar Card Number | 90001588 | 01595700 | |
| Campaign Mailing Address | Karin Crump Campaign PO Box 300593 Austin, TX 78703 | Re-elect Justice Baker Campaign 823 Congress Ave. Suite 150-684325 Austin TX 78768 | |
| Campaign Contact | info@judgekarincrump.com | info@justicetombaker.com campaign@justicetombaker.com (254) 702-2021 | |
| Campaign Website | judgekarincrump.com | justicetombaker.com | |
| Social Media Links | twitter | instagram | |
| Current Occupation | Judge 250th District Court 2015-present | Justice 3rd Court of Appeals, Plc 5 2019-present | |
| Years of Texas Residency | 40 | Native | |
| JD School & Year | St Mary's University School of Law 1997 | University of Houston Law Center 1983 | |
| Other Education | B.S. UT Austin, 1994 | B.J., Journalism University of Texas at Austin 1979 B.A., Government University of Texas at Austin 1980 | |
| Year of State Bar Licensure | 1997 | 1984 | |
| Legal Experience - Nonjudicial | Civil litigator and mediator for sixteen years Court-appointed attorney ad litem in CPS and Jane Doe cases, and as a criminal defense attorney in federal court two years as a victim advocate at the Bexar County DA’s Office | Baker & Tisdale PLLC (2015-2018) Private practice (1995-2018) Killeen, Harker Heights, Temple and Belton, Texas Assistant Bee County Attorney (1991-94) Private practice; Beeville, Texas (1991-94) U.S. Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (1984-1991) Naval Justice School, Newport, Rhode Island (1984) | |
| Jury Trial Experience | over 100 trials | ||
| Appellate Judicial Experience | 3rd Court of Appeals 2019-present | ||
| Other Judicial Experience | 250th District Court 2015-present | ||
| Board Certifications | Family Law | ||
| Courts Admitted | Texas Northern District Court Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court Texas Western District Court | Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court Texas Western Bankruptcy Court | |
| Honors and Awards | 2 x Navy Commendation Medal JAG Corps | ||
| Prior Elections | 2024 Primary 56% v Tom Baker 2014 and 2018 General Elections Unopposed | 2018 General Election 54% against 1 opponent | |
| Most Recent Bar Polls | 2024 - KARIN CRUMP, AUSTIN 768 70% | 2024 - THOMAS J. BAKER, AUSTIN 336 30% | |
| Key Endorsements (Max 5) |
Texas AFL-CIO ATX Women's Political Caucus Austin Black Lawyers Association Hispanic Bar Association of Austin Austin Young Democrats | ||
| Judicial Philosophy (Max 250 words) | The courts are our last line of defense for our basic human rights and the justice system only works when all citizens, regardless of their economic status, are fairly treated by the courts in a manner that is efficient and ensures each individual's rights and dignity. As a district judge for nine years, I’ve presided over a diverse trial docket, including jury and bench trials, administrative appeals, and family law cases, with a commitment to access to justice and efficiency. I care about those who appear before our courts and I’m passionate about ensuring access to justice and upholding our fundamental rights. Courts must ensure that all people, including those with financial and language barriers, have access to justice. It is also essential that the judicial branch function independently from the executive and legislative branches of government and judges must be able to review legislation and administer justice without interference from the other branches. | I believe all judges at all levels should treat all litigants and their counsel with courtesy, respect and dignity at all times in written and spoken communications, even when patience is tried. All with cases before the court should be treated equally under the law regardless of race, color, creed, gender or sexual orientation. Judges should know or learn the law and apply the law to the evidence of the case before the court. Judges should be fair and impartial at all times. If the Judge cannot be fair or there is any appearance that the Judge may not be fair, the Judge should recuse himself or herself from hearing the matter. Though Judges run in partisan political parties, the party affiliation or political philosophy of being conservative or liberal should not enter into any decision before the court. | |
| Misc | •current President of the Texas Association of District Judges •past President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association •former Board of Directors for the Texas Bar Foundation •former Chair of a Texas Supreme Court Task Force to expand the delivery of legal services •Won an Emmy award for co-producing, They Had a Dream, Too: Young Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement •legislative assistant at the Texas House of Representatives | •more than 100 hours in continuing legal education the past two years •Judge Advocate General’s Corps at the Naval Legal Service Office in Corpus Christi, the Naval Air Station in Agana, Guam and the Commander Naval Reserve Force in New Orleans. | |
| Date Submitted by Candidate | Gathered from public sources | Gathered from public sources |
