Texas African American Leaders Endorse Democratic Judicial Candidates

Justice is On the Ballot as African American Democrats Call for Fair Courts

Prominent African American leaders from Texas' two largest counties today announce their endorsement of Democrats running for statewide courts, and also emphasize the need to vote down ballot in regional and local court races. Democrats have fielded a full slate of statewide judicial candidates for the first time in more than a decade.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Senator Royce West, State Representative Senfronia Thompson, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot are endorsing the following for Texas Supreme Court: Judge Amy Clark Meachum, Judge Staci Williams, Justice Gisela Triana and attorney Kathy Cheng. The group is endorsing the following for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: Judge Tina Clinton, Judge Brandon Birmingham, and former Judge Elizabeth Frizell.

"Our high courts need greater diversity and balance," said State Senator Royce West. "We need courts that serve justice and the facts rather than special interests or political agendas. It definitely matters who sits on these benches."

"We know there has been inherent bias in our system. We have worked hard for years to make our system fairer with reforms, and by examining evidence that has freed so many innocent people from prison," said Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot. "I think Texas is fortunate to have the chance to evaluate and elect judges. That accountability is critical."

"I am proud to endorse this fine group of candidates. It's been a long time since we assembled a full slate of statewide judicial candidates, and we need to elect this group," said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.

"I'm supporting these outstanding statewide candidates and also encouraging Democratic voters to go down the ballot where many regional and local judicial races are found," said Commissioner Rodney Ellis. "As they say, if you want fair judges, finish your ballot."

"We elect our judges in Texas, fortunately, so that the process is as democratic as possible, and in the hands of the many rather than being controlled by a small group of people. We have seen our judiciary change to reflect Texas' diversity over the past few years at the trial and appellate court level. We need to see that change in our highest courts as well," said State Representative Senfronia Thompson.

"These are outstanding candidates, and I encourage Democrats to learn about them and vote for them, as well as other down-ballot candidates," said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. "Without the straight ticket, we are pushing voters to vote their entire ballots."

Recent internal polling by Democratic statewide judicial candidates has shown these races to be competitive. “Justice is on the ballot this year. The stakes of this election could not be higher. We must ensure equal justice for all, not just for the wealthy and the well connected. We must bring fairness to the highest courts in Texas," said Justice Gisela Triana.

"Dallas County, where I served as a county and district judge, has pioneered so many ways to make our system fairer," said former Judge Elizabeth Frizell. "Positive change in our courts is possible at the highest levels and we are here to make it happen."