Texas High Court Races

Texas High Court Races Texas’s Two “Supreme” Courts: Texas Supreme Court (civil) Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal)

Texas High Court Races • Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court – Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (Incumbent) – Robert Talton

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court Place 6 – Justice Jeff Brown (Incumbent) – Joe Pool

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court Place 8 – Justice Phil Johnson (Incumbent) – Sharon McCally

Texas High Court Races • Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3: – Judge Bert Richardson – Judge Barbara Walther

• Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4: – Kevin Patrick Yeary – Jani Jo Wood – Richard Dean Davis

• Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9: – David Newell – Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall

Texas Supreme Court (civil) Chief Justice: Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (Incumbent)

v. Robert Talton

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (Incumbent) • www.justicenathanhecht.com • Nathan L. Hecht was elected to the Texas Supreme Court in 1988 and was re-elected in 1994, 2000, 2006, and 2012 • Appointed Chief Justice in 2013 • Sworn in as Chief Justice by Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court • Justice, 5th Court of Appeals • Judge, 95th District Court, Dallas Co.

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (cont.) Education

• Yale University, BA (honors in Philosophy) • SMU Law School, JD (cum laude) • Law Clerk, US Court of Appeals, DC

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (cont.) Integrity & Leadership • SMU School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award for Judicial Service • Hatton W. Sumners Foundation Distinguished Public Service Award • Lieutenant, US Naval Reserve JAG Corps • Cornerstone Christian Church Elder, teacher, pianist

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (cont.) Endorsements • • • • • • • •

Kelly Shackelford David Barton Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Texas Home School Coalition Association, Tim Lambert, President Texas Right to Life PAC Texas Alliance for Life PAC Dallas Morning News Numerous former colleagues

Robert Talton Running for Chief Justice

• • • • • •

www.TaltonforChiefJustice.com 26 year law practice in Pasadena Wife Sue of 44 years; father of two; grandfather of five United States Air Force Reservist Began his career as a police officer and municipal judge Former Texas State Representative (8 terms, 16 yrs. HD 144) • Left office to run unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008 • Campaigned last year for Harris County attorney

Robert Talton (cont.) Running for Chief Justice

• While Texas State Representative (8 terms, 16 yrs. HD 144) – Vice Chair and a member of the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence – Chairman of Urban Affairs for 4 years – Member of committee of Civil Practices and Remedies for 4 years

• Republican precinct chair six years • Harris County Republican Party general counsel

Robert Talton (cont.) Running for Chief Justice

• 26 year law practice in Pasadena – 1976-1977, Police legal advisor for the City of Port Arthur – 1977-1979, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Pasadena – 1979-1981, Assistant City Attorney for the City of South Houston – 1981-1983, Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Pasadena – 1985, Prosecutor for the City of South Houston – 1986-1992, Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Pasadena – 1987-1992, City Attorney for the City of South Houston – 1988-1990, City Attorney for the City of Pearland

Robert Talton (cont.) Running for Chief Justice

• Endorsements – Conservative Republicans of Harris Co. – Conservative Republicans of Texas – Harris Co. GOP PAC – Cathie Adams, Tx Eagle Forum, former state chair – Dr. Rick Scarborough, Fdr., Vision America – Hon. Allen Fletcher, St. Rep. (R- 130) – Harris Co. Deputy Sheriffs Organization

Robert Talton (cont.) Running for Chief Justice

• Endorsements – Steve Hotze? Talton’s website does not list – Found on another website that claimed Steve Hotze had endorsed against Hecht & Phil Johnson because Hotze’s brother Bruce lost a case in the Texas Supreme Court – I know nothing about the dispute or whether Hotze has even endorsed Talton

Texas Supreme Court (civil) Justice, Place 6: Justice Jeff Brown (Incumbent)

v. Joe Pool

Justice Jeff Brown (Incumbent) • www.justicejeffbrown.com • "I believe in a loving God, the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, American exceptionalism and traditional Texas values.“ • Appointed Justice in 2013 • Sworn in as Chief Justice by Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court • Justice, 14th Court of Appeals (2007-2013) • Judge, 55th District Court, Harris Co. (2001-2007)

Justice Jeff Brown (cont.) • Wife of 21 yrs., Susannah, a schoolteacher, live in southwest Houston with their three children • Members of Bellaire United Methodist Church • Son of a longtime police officer • Named Civil District Court Judge of the Year by the Houston Police Officers Union in 2002 and by P.O.L.I.C.E., Inc., (”Peace Officers Looking Into Courthouse Excellence”) in 2003

Justice Jeff Brown (cont.) • Undergraduate UT Austin • University of Houston School of Law • Editor of the Houston Law Review

Justice Jeff Brown (cont.) • Briefing Attorney to the Hon. Greg Abbott, Texas Supreme Court • Briefing Attorney to the Hon. Jack Hightower, Texas Supreme Court • Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Houston Law Review • Appointed by Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson to the Supreme Court’s Multidistrict Litigation Panel • Served as Judge of Harris County’s STAR (“Success Through Addiction Recovery”) Drug Court No. 1 • Private Practice, Baker Botts, L.L.P. • Board Certified, Civil Trial Law

Justice Jeff Brown (cont.) • Member, Board of Trustees, and Scouting Ministries Coordinator at Bellaire United Methodist Church • Scout leader, having become an Eagle Scout himself over 25 years ago • Serves on the advisory board of LifeHouse of Houston, a home for unwed pregnant teens

Justice Jeff Brown (cont.) • Endorsements: – – – – – – – – – – –

Governor Rick Perry Senator John Cornyn Numerous former colleagues State Senator Joan Huffman Former State Rep. Rick Green Dr. Joseph Graham, President of Texas Right to Life Both…Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst & State Senator Dan Patrick State Representative Bryan Hughes Dallas Morning News Many endorsements on website

Joe Pool, Jr. Running for Justice, Place 6 • www.poolfortexas.com • “Joe’s father was Texas’ last Congressman-at-Large for the whole state… Guadalupe Peak National Park and the South Padre National Seashore. Joe Pool Lake in Dallas is named in his honor.” • “In 2012 Joe ran for Supreme Court and despite being heavily outspent he took 29% of the vote in a three-way race, barely missing the runoff. He then endorsed the non-incumbent, John Devine, and traveled the state on his own dollar to help ensure that Texas received the Devine intervention it needed.” • Lives on his ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas • Wife 31 years, Leslie; two sons • Members of Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin and the Dripping Springs United Methodist Church

Joe Pool Running for Justice, Place 6

• Fifth-generation Texan, born the youngest of four sons in Dallas • Attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal High School in Austin, two sons did too • Real estate broker while earning B.A. at UT Austin • UT Law School, licensed 1980 • Masters of Professional Accounting, McCombs School of Business

Joe Pool Running for Justice, Place 6

• General Counsel for corporations • Practice in family law, probate law, and general civil business litigation • Founded and currently serves as General Counsel to IDGAS, Inc., an oil and gas producer • President of Trans Texas Holdings Corporation, which received real rate financial patents.

Joe Pool Running for Justice, Place 6

• Joe Pool v. Steve Munisteri and Republican Party of Texas • Relief sought to remove Jeff Brown from ballot • Contends improper notarization • Democrat district judge in Austin denied temporary injunction (denied removing Jeff Brown from ballot) • Joe Pool has case on his website

Texas Supreme Court (civil) Justice, Place 8: Justice Phil Johnson (Incumbent)

v. Sharon McCally

Justice Phil Johnson (Incumbent) • www.justicephiljohnson.com • Appointed Justice in 2005 • Chief Justice, 7th Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo (1998-2002 Justice; 2002-2007 Chief) • U.S. Air Force, pilot fighter-bombers in Vietnam; instructed student pilots • Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and multiple Air Medals. He was honorably discharged as a captain

Justice Phil Johnson (Incumbent) • • • • •

Married to Carla Jean Johnson; five children Law Practice Lubbock 1975-1998 Undergraduate Texas Tech Texas Tech law school Law review

Justice Sharon McCally Running for Justice, Place 8

• http://justicesharonmccally.com • “Values: – A strong Republican, with conservative values. – Judges should not legislate, only uphold the laws based on the Texas and United States Constitution. – This is what you should expect in a Texas Supreme Court Justice “

• “Sharon McCally is a True Texan – Born and raised in Dallas – Attended The Hockaday School”

• “She Brings a Woman’s Perspective – Youngest of three girls; mother of one daughter – Woman of true family values – Grounded understanding of women’s issues”

Justice Sharon McCally (cont.) Running for Justice, Place 8

• “She Provides Award-winning Experience – In 2009, the Texas Association of Trial Appellate Specialists named McCally Trial Judge of the Year. She has proven her skills to constituents who elected her over a governor-appointed incumbent in 2004 and a fourteen-year incumbent in 2010. McCally’s thirty-five year legal and judicial experiences range from clerking in a United States District Court to partnering in her own firm to serving the public as a Justice for the 14th Federal Court of Appeals in 2010 and the 334th State Civil District Court in 2004.”

Justice Sharon McCally (cont.) Running for Justice, Place 8

• “She Protects the Cost of Administering Justice – Efficient with taxpayers’ dollars – District judge, spearheaded an action in the Harris County Civil District Courts to reduce administrative costs by 25% – Through her leadership the courts reconfigured jobs and instituted efficient electronic filing systems

Justice Sharon McCally (cont.) Running for Justice, Place 8

• “She Returns Constitutional Restraint to the Judiciary – The Texas Supreme Court should not review cases and substitute judges’ beliefs for true Constitutional interpretations of the law. McCally unfailingly demonstrates an avoidance of impropriety by complying with the law and promoting integrity and impartiality. Her broad experiences in both civil and criminal litigation provide the court with a balanced judicial perspective focused on safeguarding our Constitution.”

Justice Sharon McCally (cont.) Running for Justice, Place 8

• • • •

2010-current, Justice, 14th Court of Appeals Six years, Judge, 334th Civil District Court B.A. in English, Southern Methodist University Family’s mechanical contracting business prior to law school • South Texas College of Law in Houston • Law clerk to US District Judge David Hittner • Mass tort litigation before became judge

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3: Judge Bert Richardson v. Judge Barbara Walther

Judge Bert Richardson Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• www.electjudgerichardson.com • “Choose the only candidate uniquely qualified with Board Certification in Criminal Law and with appellate and trial experience at State and Federal levels.” • Judge 379th District Court, Bexar County, 1999-2008 • Lives in San Antonio; wife 25 yrs.; one son

Judge Bert Richardson Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• Senior Judge in regions spanning San Antonio to Del Rio and Austin to El Paso • Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas • Assistant District Attorney in Bexar County • Appellate experience in 50+ cases at the State and Federal Level

Judge Bert Richardson Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• Endorsements – Austin Police Association – Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) – Dallas Police Association – Houston Police Officers' Union – Conservative Republicans of Texas – C-Club of Houston

Judge Barbara Walther Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• www.barbarawalther.com • “The most experienced candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3

★ 27 years judicial experience — District Judge 51st Judicial District 1993-present Associate Judge/Family Law 1987-1993. ★ Licensed attorney for 37 years. ★ First woman, first Republican elected 51st District Judge. ★ Elected by fellow judges to multiple leadership positions. ★ Presiding judge for Warren Jeffs/FLDS trials.“

Judge Barbara Walther Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• “Judge Walther was the first woman and the first Republican to win election to the [51st District Court]. • “Judge Walther received national attention and praise in 2008 for her handling of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints and Yearning for Zion trials in which more than 400 children were rescued from abuse. The group's leader, Warren Jeffs, is serving a life sentence plus 20 years for sexual crimes involving children. Walther was the presiding judge at the trial; the conviction has been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest criminal court in Texas.”

Judge Barbara Walther Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3

• 1992-current, Judge, 51st District Court (Coke, Irion, Schleicher, Sterling, & Tom Green Counties) • Married to Radiologist practicing in San Angelo • Endorsements – – – – –

"C" Club of Houston Dallas Morning News DFW Conservative Voters Texas Patriots PAC United Republicans of Harris County

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4: Kevin Patrick Yeary Jani Jo Wood Richard Dean Davis

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• www.yearyforjudge.com

• “Kevin began his career as a briefing attorney at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He has practiced before that Court for most of his 22 year career, both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. His cases at the Court of Criminal Appeals have resulted in opinions that have made a significant and lasting impact on Texas Law.” • “Kevin is a life long Republican and real conservative. He believes that our laws should be written by the Legislature, not by the Courts. He understands that a judge's duty is to follow the law, not make it. Texas needs Kevin on the Court of Criminal Appeals.“

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• 7th generation Texan, born in Cotulla, and raised in Laredo • 1988, English Communication Arts from St. Mary's University in San Antonio • 1991, graduated from St. Mary's University Law School

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• Married for 16 years to Suzie Basey-Yeary – UT Medical School; pediatrician; practiced in San Antonio since 1998 – four daughters, ages 16, 13, 10, and 4

• St. Padre Pio Catholic Church • Member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of San Antonio and Knights of Columbus

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• First Chair Appellate Prosecutor in Bexar County, 1998-current • Former Appellate Prosecutor in Dallas County and in Harris County • Former Defense Attorney • Teacher and Author of Published Articles • Former Briefing Attorney at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• Endorsements – – – – – – – – – –

Houston Police Officers Association San Antonio Police Officer's Association CLEAT - Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas Texas Patriots PAC "C" Club of Houston Conservative Republicans of Texas Houston Business Realty Coalition Turn Bexar Red Spring Branch Republicans DFW Conservative Voters

Kevin Patrick Yeary Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• Endorsements (cont.) – 17 Members of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee – Senator Donna Campbell – District Attorney Carl Dourough – District Attorney Billy Bird – Cathie Adams – Bill Crocker – Steve Hotze

Jani Jo Wood Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• www.janijo.com • “Endorsed by the Dallas Morning News! "Warning against “government overreach” by the courts, Wood offers a passionate and energetic approach for correction.”

• “Endorsed by the United Republicans of Harris County! ”

Jani Jo Wood Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• “Constitutional Conservative” • “Jani and her husband Ted have five children, and a son-in-law serving in the United States Army stationed in Korea.” • “Ted, a former Republican County Judge” • “Board certified in criminal appellate law” • “Wood is currently an attorney in the Appellate Section of the Harris County Public Defender's Office where she defends individuals accused of crimes by the government. • “Handled over a dozen death penalty appeals and writs of habeas corpus. Wood has also argued numerous complex white-collar cases and other serious felonies. She has appeared regularly before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and many intermediate courts of appeals.”

Richard Dean Davis Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4

• Texas GOP lists: – Richard D. Davis – Burnet, TX

• No website could be found • State Bar of Texas lists: – Licensed 11/05/1982 – Private Law Practice – Criminal, Family, Litigation: Commercial, Litigation: Personal Injury – No discipline actions reported

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9: David Newell v. Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall

David Newell Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• www.newellforjudge.com • “When I heard that Judge Cochran was stepping down, I felt that criminal practitioners were losing a unique voice on the highest court in the State for criminal law matters,” said David. “I believe I can carry on her tradition of blending scholarly insight with practical solutions to the toughest legal issues facing the Court of Criminal Appeals.”

David Newell Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• B.A. in English, Magna Cum Laude, University of Houston, 1993 • J.D. from the University of Texas, 1997 • Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law • wife Shayne Newell, Assistant General Counsel for Baker Botts L.L.P.; two sons

David Newell Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• Assistant District Attorney, Harris County D.A.’s Office – Appellate Division • Assistant County Attorney, Ft. Bend County Attorney’s Office • Assistant District Attorney, Ft. Bend D.A.’s Office – Appellate Division • 2006-2008, 2010-present Chairperson, Editorial Board for the TDCAA Prosecutor • 2004-2006 Board Member, Editorial Board for the TDCAA Prosecutor

David Newell Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• Endorsements – Kenda Culpepper, District Attorney, Rockwall County – Chris Daniel, Harris County District Clerk – Rick Miller, State Representative, District 26 – Michelle Smith, State Director, Concerned Women for America of Texas*

David Newell Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• Endorsements (cont.) – – – – – – – – – –

C-Club of Houston Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) Dallas Morning News Harris County GOP PAC Houston Police Officers' Union Houston Realty Business Coalition Katy Christian Magazine San Antonio Police Officers' Association Spring Branch Republicans Turn Bexar Red

Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• www.judgekfortexas.com • “Judicial Philosophy: As Justice, Bud Kirkendall will work hard to restore and maintain the integrity of the Texas criminal justice system, which has been rocked by recent scandals.” • “About Judge Kirkendall: Judge Kirkendall is the District Judge of the 2nd 25th Judicial District and has 40 years of experience as a jurist, district attorney and private practicing attorney.”

Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• “40 years experience as a jurist, district attorney and private practicing attorney.” • “Current District Judge of the 2nd 25th Judicial District (first elected in 2004).” • “Served 21 years (five consecutive terms) as District Attorney representing Colorado, Guadalupe, Gonzales and Lavaca Counties.” • “Partner in Kirkendall, Frost & Allen, PC from 1975-2004.” • “Began career as a briefing attorney for the Texas Court Criminal Appeals.”

Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• “B.A., Iowa State University” • “J.D., University of Texas School of Law” • “Guadalupe County Bar Association — President (1979-81)” • “Texas District and County Attorneys Association — President (2000), Chairman of the Board (2001), Secretary-Treasurer (1998), Board Member (1992-95), Legislative Committee (19912004; Chair, 1995), Prosecutor Standards and Guidelines Committee”

Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall Running for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9

• “Married 39 years to Alice Scull Kirkendall, three married children and three grandchildren” • Both daughters are lawyers; son is a doctor

Texas High Court Races • Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court – Chief Justice Nathan Hecht (Incumbent) – Robert Talton

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court Place 6 – Justice Jeff Brown (Incumbent) – Joe Pool

• Justice, Texas Supreme Court Place 8 – Justice Phil Johnson (Incumbent) – Sharon McCally

Texas High Court Races • Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3: – Judge Bert Richardson – Judge Barbara Walther

• Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4: – Kevin Patrick Yeary – Jani Jo Wood – Richard Dean Davis

• Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9: – David Newell – Judge W.C. “Bud” Kirkendall