Growing up in San Antonio, my parents instilled in me two valuable lessons, ones that I have carried with me through my three decades of practicing family law here in Houston, my eight years as a Harris County family court judge, and now in my service to you as a family law arbitrator and mediator. She is married to her best friend of 14 years, Matt, and they have four beautiful children together. Jessica and her husband, Michael, have been married for 20 years, have two children, and one spoiled pug. If we failed to endorse aDemocrat, we either identified troublesome issues (e.g. Andrew has been Board Certified in Family Law since 2018. A judge should be neutral . 8 years of his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney. Before taking the bench, he handled hundreds of appeals and presented oral argument in over 100 cases collectively in the Supreme Court of Texas, all intermediate appellate courts in Texas, and several United States courts of appeals. As a fifth-generation Latino Texan, Leo Farias understands the states culture, needs, and struggles. Geric Tipsword has been a Houston resident since 2004, coming to Houston to attend law school he remained to begin his law practice. She has been a Texan all of her life and has lived in Harris County for almost 20 years. Outside the practice of law, Sartaj has had the privilege to serve as an adjunct professor. Jeffrey and other officers were serving a high-level narcotics warrant to a 30-year-old suspect at the time. for District Judge, 482nd Judicial District. "In a low information race, when you have a woman running against a man in the Democratic primary, odds are the woman is going to win because there are significantly more women who participate in the Harris County Democratic primary. That said, a candidate must earn our vote. Kevin Fulton has dedicated his life to serving others. In 2008 Sophia was appointed to serve as a Commissioner for the City of Houston Police Officers' Civil Service Commission and was elected to and served as Chairman of the Commission from 2008 to June 2022. for District Judge, 263rd Judicial District. She received her law degree from South Texas College of Law and has been practicing criminal law in Harris County for 16 years. B. They are also blessed with 2 beautiful granddaughters. Find an event near you . Harris County crime rates have skyrocketed under the Democrats' leadership. Being moderate Democrats, we are naturally inclined to endorse Democratic candidates. Jessica was raised in a law enforcement family, watching daily as her father put on his uniform and hit the streets to protect the citizens in their community. First name Last name Email Address This new political blog websiteofficially launched in late2020and is focused on issues important to Harris County residents. Another officer was shot during the encounter as well. Since taking the bench as Justice of the Peace, Judge Laryssa has made countless strides to improve customer service, increase and pilot new technology programs, and guarantee efficiency in her courtroom. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. In addition, Sophia is a member and Past President (2013-2015) of the Downtown Houston Pachyderm Club, a member of the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club, and previously served on the National Pachyderm Foundation Board. We strongly urge you to consider those candidates when casting your vote. Eight current Democratic criminal court judges won their race in the primary. Matthew, a 20-year veteran of the Houston Police Department and a native Houstonian, wants to restore faith in the communitys court system, and bring back a balanced approach to justice as well as a reasonable, common-sense approach to Harris Countys criminal justice system. Currently an Assistant District Attorney with the Harris County District Attorneys office, Ambers work as a prosecutor has been to maintain the community's safety while seeing that justice is done. After she received her law degree, she moved back to Houston and has been practicing law in the bayou city since 1986. Farias got his J.D. 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He has been part of Harris County for over 5 decades, working tirelessly to make it a better, safer place for everyone. Cindy Hide received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center and has been licensed to practice law since 1984. She was born in Argentina, and emigrated to the United States with her family as a young child. for Family District Judge, 247th Judicial District. from the South Texas School of Law and clerked for various family law firms during his time as a student. Lori spent most of her adult life as an assistant district attorney in the Harris County District Attorneys Office. Learn all about the 2022 Democratic Candidates: >> Harris County Democratic Party Voter Guide (PDF) >> League of Women Voters Houston Voter Guide >> Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus Endorsements Election Day November 8, 2022 -- 7AM - 7PM Election Day is November 8. Desean Jones, Danilo Lacayo, Brian Warren, Josh Hill and Lori Chambers Gray ran unopposed. All Rights Reserved. I enjoy fishing, Houstons original restaurants, and professional sports, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Duke and attending my granddaughters soccer games. Immediately after, Nathan moved to Houston, where he began practicing civil law for a brief time before joining the Harris County District Attorneys Office in 2007, where he is still employed. for Family District Judge, 245th Judicial District. President's Message: He has served as an Associate Judge in the Houston Municipal Courts and is currently the Chief Investigator for the Harris County District Attorneys Office. Leslie has practiced a mix of civil and criminal law and, from 1997 until 2000, worked in the Harris County Attorney's Office representing public officials, deputies, and correctional officers in civil litigation. for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2. Find your Election Day polling location here . Geric is a former teacher who taught 9th grade math. She sits on the boards of the TEACH, Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA and Catholic Charities. Todd Frankfort, a lawyer with over 27 years experience, is a native Houstonian and 5th generation Texan. She started her legal career as a prosecutor under Johnny Holmes in 1998 and has worked for seven different district attorneys in Harris County before leaving in February of 2019 under the Kim Ogg administration. Zachary is a graduate of Baylor University and St. Marys University School of Law. With the exception of County Judge, which is the first county office to appear, the other county races come after any county judicial elections, which we know in a . Justice Adams, now back in private practice, has been an appellate lawyer for more than thirty years. for District Judge, 262nd Judicial District. His strong sense of service and community started when he joined the US Army and served with distinction as reconnaissance in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort, protecting Kurdish refugees. After receiving his honorary discharge from the military, Kevin returned to the community. Kevin has been practicing law for over 14 years now in private practice while also serving as a Judge Advocate with the Texas State Guard and working on his LLM at Baylor Law School. for District Judge, 209th Judicial District. Anderson Cancer Hospital, Sheltering Arms, Houston Independent School District, Young Leaders in Medicine, and the Junior League of Houston. Sue Schechter, the Harris County Democratic Party Chairwoman, was determined to have a Democrat fill every slot on the ballot. After that, Nathan stayed in Austin and attended the University of Texas School of Law, receiving his JD. Bob has worked on all types of Civil Cases, Foreclosures, Evictions, Family Law, Immigration cases, and Criminal Cases, including Traffic Ticket Defense. Bob is married to Mei Wolfe and their daughter attends public school. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1976 Press Photo Bob Sobeo, candidate for Harris County Chairman, Texas at the best online prices at eBay! Texas Justice of the Peace Courts, Courts in Texas Texas judicial elections Judicial selection in Texas. A lifelong Conservative, she believes it is an exciting time to be a Republican in Harris County. for Family District Judge, 308th Judicial District, for Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. 20162023Harris County Democratic Party, 4619 Lyons Ave She assumed office on January 1, 2023. I also served two terms as a member of the District 4A grievance committee (which disciplines attorneys) and served as Chair in 1994. Maria Valeria Brock received her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1990 and has been practicing law for over 30 years. Whether it be through the Houston Police Department, The District Attorney's Office, or through his work representing indigent adults and children, there is still more to be done to ensure our community's faith is restored in the courthouse. In addition, she has a history of working with domestic violence victims and owns her family law firm, which she has been practicing her entire career. Xavier is currently a Deputy Division Chief at the Fort Bend County District Attorneys Office where he supervises 12 prosecutors in 6 County Courts at Law. If no candidate in a race wins the majorityas in cases where more than two candidates are competing for a seata runoff election is held between the top two candidates. Married for 14 years with three sons Gregory (11), Stephen (11) and Andrew (6), they are committed to showing the next generation the importance of civic responsibility and the value of personal freedoms. Texas Statutory Probate Courts With over 21 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney, Jessica will bring invaluable knowledge, common sense, and experience back to the court. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Sophia is a past member of Patrons for Bellaire Parks and the Houston Realty Business Coalition. With the insight gained from these casesover 38,000 of themI will, in serving as your arbitrator or mediator, help you see the strengths and weaknesses of your case as a judge or jury would, and thus help avoid unnecessary expenses and stress of going or returning to court. Donate today Support the work $5 $20.21 $50 $100 $225 Other Are you ready? As an attorney with now over 30 years experience in probate, trust guardianship, estate planning, and elder law, I have developed a reputation for handling the matters entrusted to me with diligence and integrity. Judge Prine left the bench in 2019. She has handled a broad range of legal matters, representing individuals, corporations, and small businesses on both sides of the docket and serving in a representative capacity as ad litem. 3. After she received her law degree, she moved back to Houston and has been practicing law in the bayou city since 1986. In 1999, he became the judge of Probate Court #3 in Harris County, where he served for twenty years. For years Fraga has been bringing leadership, fresh ideas, and high energy to good causes in our community. Geric has been practicing family law since 2007. He was born in Houston Texas and has been living in Harris County his whole life. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. On Tuesday afternoon, the Houston Chronicle reported that Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat, said she wanted a change in leadership and intended to replace election administrator. She has volunteered at M.D. He owns his firm with his wife, Karleana, who he is raising two children with. She briefly left Houston to attend the University of Texas, where she got her undergraduate degree and a law degree. for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 4, for Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 2. Being moderate Democrats, we are naturally inclinedto endorse Democratic candidates. Resolutions passed by Executive Committee. After graduating cum laude from Georgetown University, he then attended The University of Texas School of Law and graduated with honors. Over the years, I was also appointed by the probate judges to handle both contested and uncontested estate and guardianship matters. Her campaign slogan is Mama Mia Vote for Sophia, in honor of her mom. Stephen, a proud Texas Aggie and graduate of Strake Jesuit Preparatory, runs a family-owned business his father Lupe Fraga founded in 1962, a legacy of hard work and enduring faith that reflects their past and inspires their future. Only a handful of Democratic candidates ran that year. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas has jurisdiction in Harris County. The advertisements rolled out with weeks to go until the November election. for Family District Judge, 308th Judicial District. He now serves as a Mediator and Arbitrator. In addition, Malcolm served on the Board of Directors of a Privately Held Corporation with more than 30 million dollars in annual sales. He served 10 years as the Precinct Chairman of Precinct 216 Senate District 13 (2007 2016). Nathan Moss grew up in North Texas before attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a BA in Government. He served 10 years as the Precinct Chairman of Precinct 216 Senate District 13 (2007 - 2016). As an attorney with now over 30 years experience in probate, trust guardianship, estate planning, and elder law, I have developed a reputation for handling the matters entrusted to me with diligence and integrity. Every action you take makes a big difference. Heather Hudson received her law degree from St. Marys University School of Law and has been practicing criminal appellate law as a prosecutor for 14 years. She also held office as Parish Council President, Vice-President, and Secretary for multiple terms in each role and was appointed in 2012 to the Legal Affairs Committee for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A. He has served as an Associate Judge in the Houston Municipal Courts and is currently the Chief Investigator for the Harris County District Attorney's Office. As a whole, Harris County criminal court judges came under fire for issues relating to releasing violent offenders on low bonds. Maria Valeria has four children, who, although they are now adults, continue to be her greatest joy. Denise Graves received her bachelors of science in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University before earning her J.D. Chris Carmona received his law degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston and has been successfully practicing multiple areas of law for 12 years. https://t.co/iLQ2QESqPx, RT @Jon_RosenthalTX: Thanks to @axios for bringing attention to this issue. When they get to a race and they don't know anything about the candidates, they tend to vote based off gender," Jones said. Frank Aguilar, Chris Morton and Hilary Unger beat their opponents. Tristan Longino and Barbara Stalder, who serve in family court, and civil district court judges Scot Dollinger, Franklin Bynum, and David Singer, who serve in misdemeanor criminal court, were all unseated. He also spent 7 years as a We are an international hub for trade, industry, innovation and the arts, and although we may live in a red state (for now), Harris County is decidedly blue. Judge Louie Ditta has served as the Presiding Judge of the Harris County Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 8, Place 2) since 1997, having been re-elected to four consecutive four-year terms in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. Appeals from the Southern District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit . for Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. More than 120 candidates have filed for Harris County positions ahead of the March 2022 primaries, as of the candidate filing deadline Dec. 13, according to the Texas Secretary of State. He has also served as appellate counsel in numerous trials across thestate. Apply today! Tami then went to law school, raised a family and began her law career as a criminal defense attorney prior to becoming a prosecutor. Ramirez is a native Texan and a product of the University of Texas School of Law. Over 87% of cases appealed from her rulings were AFFIRMED by the Courts of Appeals. With more than 32 years prosecuting criminal cases and 150+ felony jury trials under his belt, Julian Ramirez is well-qualified to bring needed change to the 248th Criminal District Court. for District Judge, 185th Judicial District, for District Judge, 189th Judicial District, for District Judge, 190th Judicial Distric, for District Judge, 208th Judicial District. She started her legal career as a prosecutor under Johnny Holmes in 1998 and has worked for seven different district attorneys in Harris County before leaving in February of 2019 under the Kim Ogg administration. Rory practiced law for over twenty years in Houston. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Texas County Courts at Law Mark has practiced criminal and family law for over 24 years. The bench does not belong to the DA's Office. Gardner Eastland received his law degree from SMU in Dallas and has been practicing family law for 18 years. They are members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church where they enjoy attending Mass each week. It belongs to the people. Lance has been married to his wife Vickie for 23 years and they have one daughter, who will be a junior in the fall at Texas A&M. Rose Cardenas is a lifelong Houstonian. He has been co-parenting 3 children for over 30 years. She is married to her best friend of 14 years, Matt, and they have four beautiful children together. Voted Qualified/Well Qualified by 83% of respondents in the 2016 HBA Judicial Qualification Bar Poll. Before taking the bench, he handled hundreds of appeals and presented oral argument in over 100 cases collectively in the Supreme Court of Texas, all intermediate appellate courts in Texas, and several United States courts of appeals. Geric holds an Associates Degree in Transportation, a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, is a certified teacher, has a Masters Degree in Education Intervention, and has his Juris Doctorate (Magna Cum Laude). Having lived in Houston his entire adult life, this is especially true for Harris County. She started out as a police officer, was promoted to investigator then Sergeant. Leslie has practiced law for almost 25 years. She has worked hard to see that justice is done and will be fair but firm and uphold the rule of law.