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
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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
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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:
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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)
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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
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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
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"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
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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.)
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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