TCJL PAC 2020 Judicial Endorsements – November General Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2020
CONTACT:
Carol Sims, 512-320-0474

TCJL PAC Releases 2020 Judicial Endorsements

(Austin): The Texas Civil Justice League Political Action Committee today released its slate of endorsements for the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and the 14 intermediate appeals courts. Early voting begins on Tuesday, October 13 and ends on Friday, October 30. Election day will take place Tuesday, November 3.

“In the 2018 election, Texas lost hundreds of years of judicial experience on the courts of appeals,” said Carol Sims, TCJL Executive Director. “We cannot let that happen again. TCJL urges voters to educate themselves about judicial candidates before they cast their ballots. TCJL’s slate of endorsements reflects our assessment of the qualifications, temperament, and experience of each candidate. We think these are the best candidates for judicial office and are proud to endorse them.”

In 2017 the Texas Legislature enacted a law eliminating straight party voting in all elections, including those for the judiciary. The law did not apply in 2018, but it does to the 2020 election. This means that voters will have to make choices in individual races all the way to the end of the ballot in order to have their say in every race. “While statewide and appellate court races are relatively high on the ballot, local judicial offices, such as district courts, county courts-at-law, and justices of the peace may be the end,” Sims added. “Even when Texas had straight party voting, there was often a noticeable decline in the total number of votes cast for judicial candidates as opposed to others. Coupled with the fact that many voters may not be familiar with candidates for the various courts, we are concerned that ballot fatigue, particularly in the large urban counties with dozens of contested elections, may have a big impact on judicial elections. We cannot stress enough the importance of voters remaining patient and voting the entire ballot. The quality of the justice dispensed in our courts may depend on it.”

Established in 1986, TCJL is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to improving the state’s economy by assuring that the courts operate efficiently, impartially, and independently and that the laws governing individual and business liability are fair, reasonable, and predictable.

Political Advertising by Texas Civil Justice League PAC, 400 West 15^th Street, Suite 1400, Austin Texas 78701  www.tcjlpac.com     info@tcjlpac.com