by Staff | Feb 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
February 17, 2014 Tomorrow is the first day of early voting in the Texas Republican Primary — I’m urging you to join me in voting for the following State Supreme Court Justices for re-election: Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Justice Jeff Brown, Justice Jeff Boyd, and Justice Phil Johnson. Each of these experienced and respected judges will uphold the Constitution and accurately apply the law. They do not legislate from the bench. They are fair and impartial, and have proven conservative records as judges. As both a lawyer in private practice and as former Solicitor General of the State of Texas, I know the importance of honest and competent judges. It has an important impact on our economy, on our freedoms, and on an orderly society. These Justices have integrity, scholarship and diligence — they have earned our support. Please click here to find your polling place and be sure to bring your photo ID. Whether you choose to vote early from tomorrow, Feb. 18th through Feb. 28th or on Election Day, Tues., March 4th, please join me in voting for Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Justice Jeff Brown, Justice Jeff Boyd, and Justice Phil Johnson in the Republican Primary. Thank you! For Liberty, Ted Cruz P.S. Whether you choose to vote early or on Election Day, please be sure to attend your precinct convention after the polls close on March 4th. The precinct convention is the first step in the political convention process that leads to the Republican Party of Texas State Convention. Please click here to find your precinct convention location and more information about the process....
by Staff | Feb 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Texas Gov. Rick Perry Discusses the Importance of Re-electing Justices Nathan Hecht, Jeff Boyd, Jeff Brown and Phil Johnson in the 2014 Republican Primary Texas Gov. Rick Perry has released a new video urging voters to re-elect Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and Justices Boyd, Brown and Johnson for the Texas Supreme Court in the March 4 Republican primary. Personal injury trial lawyers have chosen to run against these justices who were appointed by the governor. Click here to view the video. For more information about judicial races in Texas, visit www.tcjlpac.com, a TCJL PAC website that provides information about the state’s judicial system and candidates running in judicial races. TCJL in the News Click here to read former Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill and TCJL Senior Counsel George Scott Christian’s op-ed in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “You Be the Judge—Vote in Judicial Elections.” Cast Your Vote Today! Early voting ends this week on Feb. 28. The primary election is on March 4. We urge you to gather as much information as you can about the candidates and make an informed vote for the most qualified. Stay Connected About the Texas Civil Justice League Political Action Committee Founded in 1986, the Texas Civil Justice League Political Action Committee (TCJL PAC) supports candidates for the Texas Supreme Court committed to a fair and balanced judicial system in Texas. The Austin-based group, with membership comprised of Texas businesses, health care providers, and trade and professional associations, is the only statewide business political action committee that supports judges and justices for the 14 Texas appellate courts. www.tcjlpac.com Paid for by the Texas Civil Justice League...
by Staff | Feb 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
February 25, 2014 (http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20140225-editorial-make-voting-easier-with-a-little-guidance.ece) There are so many names and so many races on a voter’s ballot that it’s hard not to get confused. Who are these people, you might think, as you wander down the ballot and reach races like “Family District Judge, 301st Judicial District.” You’re not alone. It’s the rare voter — maybe even the unicorn of voters — who goes to the ballot box with a clear idea of whom to vote for in every single race. But that doesn’t decrease the importance of the down-ballot races. The person elected the next judge of the 204th Judicial District might well have more impact on your city and even on your life than whoever gets sent to Washington or Austin. It’s important to go into the voting booth with some power over your ballot, and there are many good ways to do that. You can start with The Dallas Morning News’ Voter Guide. The guide was developed after candidates in more than 50 races filled out questionnaires and then came in for face-to-face interviews. Their answers to questions on important issues, both written and in person, were the basis for the paper’s recommendations. And The News is among few newspapers to do such judicial candidate reviews. But The News’ guide isn’t the only resource available to voters. Other groups do the same hard work of vetting candidates to make it easier for voters to pick and choose. The League of Women Voters of Dallas is an excellent resource. The group’s voter guide posed questions to candidates in 25 contested races for the March 4 primary election. Their summary about why judicial...
by Staff | Feb 21, 2014 | Uncategorized
February 12, 2014 (http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Bexar-County-judiciary-changing-fast-5229170.php) SAN ANTONIO — The quality of judges in Bexar County is on the decline, and we can blame partisan sweeps at the polls. Some of the county’s finest jurists from each party have fallen victim to these waves. The trend is unlikely to change soon. A large number of judges are retiring at the end of the year, and we are troubled to see them go. Although more judicial candidates than ever are on the ballot, in too many cases, the caliber is lacking. High-quality candidates still seek the judicial positions but too often lack the legal experience and knowledge that one would expect in a judge. This year most judicial incumbents are opposed, some have multiple members of their own political party challenging them. In the past, opposition to an incumbent was indicative of a troubled judge, but now that is not always the case. Lawyers used to pay their dues and would seek a place on the bench at midpoint or later in their careers. They were known by the legal community. Once elected, they usually stayed as long as they wanted with mainly bad judges getting opposition at the polls. Today, making a bid for a bench is akin to buying a lottery ticket. Lucky candidates ride a political wave to a new job with a steady paycheck and benefits. We urge voters to do their homework before going to the polls. Research the candidates. We realize that can be a daunting task given the sheer number of candidates, but these jobs are too important to be taken lightly. We offer our...
by Staff | Feb 20, 2014 | Uncategorized
U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas Discusses the Importance of Electing Qualified Judges Texas Civil Justice League (TCJL) has released a new video featuring U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) discussing the importance of electing the best-qualified judicial candidates in the upcoming primary election. The video is part of the TCJL statewide advocacy campaign to increase voter participation in judicial races, as well as increase awareness throughout the state about the importance of electing qualified judges. Click here to view the video For more information about judicial races in Texas, visit www.texasjudges.org, a TCJL website that provides information about the state’s judicial system and candidates running in judicial races. Cast Your Vote Today! Early voting started this week and continues through Feb. 28. The primary election is on March 4. We urge you to gather as much information as you can about the candidates and make an informed vote for the most qualified. Stay Connected About the Texas Civil Justice League Founded in 1986, the Texas Civil Justice League (TCJL) advocates for a fair and balanced judicial system in Texas. The Austin-based group is the oldest and largest state legal reform organization in the nation, with membership comprised of corporate businesses, law firms, professional and trade associations, health care providers and individual citizens. www.tcjl.com Texas Civil Justice League 400 West 15th Street, Suite 1400 Austin, Texas 78701 512-320-0474 info@tcjl.com www.tcjl.com | Calendar of...
by Staff | Feb 19, 2014 | Uncategorized
February 18, 2014 (http://lubbockonline.com/election/2014-02-18/voters-may-find-little-differentiate-candidates-criminal-court-appeals#.UwT4wvm2iSp) By Enrique Rangel A-J AUSTIN BUREAU AUSTIN — “Who do I vote for?” That’s a question some voters in the Republican primary for three Criminal Court of Appeals seats may have been asking themselves when early voting for the March 4 election began Tuesday. Seven Republicans are vying for three open seats in Texas’ highest court for criminal cases — two candidates in Place 3, three in Place 4 and two in Place 9, all apparently unknown outside the legal community. In Place 3, Bert Richardson of San Antonio and Barbara Walther of San Angelo are running against each other. The winner of this race will face John Granberg of El Paso in the Nov. 4 general election. Granberg is the lone Democrat seeking a seat in the Court of Criminal Appeals. In Place 4, it is Richard Dean Davis of Burnet, Kevin Patrick Yeary of San Antonio and Jani Jo Wood of Houston competing for the judgeship. And in Place 9, it is W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall of Seguin running against David Newell of Richmond. Here is how the candidates in the three races are wooing the voters. In Place 3, Richardson said he is uniquely qualified for the post because he has more than 25 years of trial experience as a lawyer and judge. “My commitment is to uphold the laws of Texas and the ideals of fairness and justice with the unwavering standards that guide me every day as a senior judge across this great state and in my personal life,” Richardson wrote on his campaign’s website. Ten years ago, President George W. Bush...
