Early voting begins tomorrow in Texas, and it’s very exciting. I’ve discussed my recommendations for President, Congress, and part of the down-ballot candidates. Today, I will race through to the end of the ballot. There won’t be many surprises.
Again, if you are in Harris County, you can get a sample ballot that will show you who you get to vote for in your precinct by going to HarrisVotes.com. https://harrisvotes.com/SampleBallots?lang=en-US.
Courts of Appeal
Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals
The candidates are Tracy Elizabeth Christopher (Republican) and Jane Robinson (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Jane Robinson.
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3
The candidates are Russell Lloyd (Republican) and Veronica Rivas-Molloy (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Veronica Rivas-Molloy.
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5
The candidates are Terry Adams (Republican) and Amparo Monique Guerra (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Amparo Guerra.
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7
The candidates are Ken Wise (Republican), and Tamika “Tami” Craft (Democrat). I like Tamika Craft’s breadth of experience, and I will probably vote for her just to try to reduce the institutional conservativism of the 14th Court of Appeals.
District Courts
District Judge, 11th Judicial District
Incumbent Kristen Hawkins (Democrat) is the only person running in this race, and I have no problem recommending her.
District Judge, 61st Judicial District
The candidates are Erin Elizabeth Lunceford (Republican) and Fredericka Phillips (Democrat). I have no problems recommending incumbent Fredericka Phillips, even though 39% of respondents to a Houston Bar Association poll stated that she needs improvement.
District Judge, 80th Judicial District
The candidates are Sharon Hemphill (Republican) and Jeralynn Manor (Democrat). Jeralynn Manor ran a successful primary against Larry Weiman, and I have no problems recommending her.
District Judge, 125th Judicial District
Incumbent Kyle Carter (Democrat) is the only person running in this race, and I have no problem recommending him.
District Judge, 127th Judicial District
Nile Copeland (Republican) is challenging incumbent R.K. Sandill (Democrat). I have no problem recommending R.K. Sandill. He’s been on the bench a long time, and he has a reputation for being fair.
District Judge, 129th Judicial District
The candidates are Will Archer (Republican) and Michael Gomez (Democrat). I have no problem recommending incumbent Michael Gomez. He may be overly indulgent to pro se litigants, but he has been fair and calm on the bench.
District Judge, 133rd Judicial District
The candidates are Sheri Y. Dean (Republican) and Jaclanel McFarland (Democrat). I have no problem recommending incumbent Jaclanel McFarland, even though she has ruled against me in the past. Full disclosure, she officiated my wedding, conducted in front of a jury, which probably was the highlight of that trial.
District Judge, 151st Judicial District
Incumbent Mike Engelhart (Democrat) is the only candidate, and I have no problem recommending him.
District Judge, 152nd Judicial District
Incumbent Robert Schaffer (Democrat) has been a fair judge, and I have no problem recommending him.
District Judge, 164th Judicial District
The candidates are incumbent Michael Landrum (Republican) and Cheryl Elliott Thornton (Democrat). Cheryl Thornton defeated indicted Alexandra Smoots-Thomas in the Democratic primary, and I have no problem recommending her.
District Judge, 165th Judicial District
I don’t want to recommend Bruce Bain (Republican), but Ursula Hall (Democrat) has been quite problematic.
District Judge, 174th Judicial District
I’m not the biggest fan of Hazel B. Jones (Democrat), but her reelection will be fine.
District Judge, 176th Judicial District
I have no problem recommending incumbent Nikita “Niki” Harmon (Democrat).
District Judge, 177th Judicial District
Robert Johnson (Democrat) is the incumbent. I cannot in good faith recommend him. I know of no attorneys who respect him, and he is one of the most infuriating judges I have ever been in front of. He has made a number of poor decisions in cases, and he is imperious to attorneys for no good reason. It is a shame no one primaried him. I will be leaving this spot blank.
District Judge, 178th Judicial District
I have no problem with recommending Kelli Johnson (Democrat).
District Judge, 179th Judicial District
I have no problem with recommending Ana Martinez (Democrat).
District Judge, 215th Judicial District
I don’t know enough about this race between Fred Shuchart (Republican) and Elaine Palmer (Democrat) to make a recommendation. I know the Chronicle likes Fred Shuchart, and has real concerns about Elaine Palmer.
District Judge, 333rd Judicial District
I don’t have any problem recommending Brittanye Morris (Democrat).
District Judge, 334th Judicial District
The candidates are Dan Lemkuil (Republican) and Dawn Deshea Rogers (Democrat). I don’t know enough about this race to make a recommendation. I’ll probably vote for Dawn Rogers, though.
District Judge, 337th Judicial District
I have no problem with recommending Colleen Gaido (Democrat).
District Judge, 338th Judicial District
I have no problem with recommending Ramona Franklin (Democrat).
District Judge, 339th Judicial District
The candidates are Jesse McClure (Republican) and Te’iva Bell (Democrat). I recommend Te’iva Bell, who is endorsed by Bernie’s group Our Revolution. I say this liking Jesse McClure a lot and respecting him when he was a prosecutor. I’ve heard of no complaints about McClure judge, but voting for Te’iva Bell is very unlikely to be one of those situations where you vote for a Democrat and accidentally get a terrible judge. The Chronicle endorses her, as well.
District Judge, 351st Judicial District
The candidates are Arlene Hecht (Republican) and Natalia “Nata” Cornelio (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Nata Cornelio. The Chronicle also endorses her.
District Judge, 507th Judicial District
I don’t have enough information to make a recommendation between Alyssa Lemkuil (Republican) and Julia Maldonado (Democrat). I will note that the Chronicle endorses Lemkuil.
District Attorney
The candidates are Mary Nan Huffman (Republican) and Kim Ogg (Democrat). This race is so infuriating. I cannot in good faith recommend either candidate. This spring, I recommended a primary challenger to Kim Ogg, because Ogg is extremely compromised. I’m under a court order not to discuss why I feel that way. In addition, at least two prosecutors have noisily resigned in the past two or three months, one of whom accused Ogg of proceeding with a prosecution in the absence of evidence. This latter allegation tracks. Huffman, on the other hand, is associated with the Child Advocacy Center, which I’m sure sounds like a positive thing in these weird SaveTheChildren times. However, the prosecutions that stem from that organization comprise the subject matter that I am not allowed to discuss. As a result, I can recommend neither, and I will be leaving it blank knowing that it’s going to stink either way.
Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 4,
I don’t have enough information to make a recommendation between Raymond Leuchtag (Republican) and Lesley Briones (Democrat), though I’ll likely vote for Briones.
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 12, Unexpired Term
The candidates are Linda Garcia (Republican) and Genesis E. Draper (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Genesis E. Draper.
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 16
The candidates are Bill Harmon (Republican) and Darrell William Jordan Jr (Democrat). I have no problem recommending Darrell Jordan, Jr.
County Attorney
Between John Nation (Republican) and Christian Dashaun Menefee (Democrat), I recommend Christian Menefee. He also happens to be endorsed by Bernie’s group, Our Revolution.
Sheriff
Between Joe Danna (Republican) and Ed Gonzalez (Democrat), I recommend Ed Gonzalez.
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Between Chris Daniel (Republican) and Ann Harris Bennett (Democrat), I recommend Ann Harris-Bennett, especially since Chris Daniel seems to always swoop in after Democrats have done a ton of heavy lifting, and then he does nothing to improve things.
County Clerk, Unexpired Term
Stan Stanart (Republican) has got to go. I recommend Teneshia Hudspeth (Democrat).
Constable, Precinct 4
I don’t mind Mark Herman (Republican) in general, but I like what Jeff McGowen (Democrat) has to say about community involvement. That’s why I recommend Jeff McGowen.
And that’s it, except for your hyper-local stuff. Early Voting starts tomorrow! Good luck!
