| October 3, 2001
New Term Prediction:
As the Texas Supreme Court’s new term begins, a large number of the all-Republican justices are stepping down or face re-election in 2002, potentially creating thousands of docket-driven fundraising conflicts. Chief Justice Tom Phillips and Justice Deborah Hankinson must stand for election or step down. Justice Baker’s retirement creates an open seat. New appointees Wallace Jefferson and Xavier Rodriguez must stand for election. Justice Priscilla Owen may be leaving the Texas high court for the Fifth Circuit. Hence, six of the nine seats at the Supreme Court may become vehicles for docket-driven fundraising, thereby further compromising our judiciary. The latest July reports indicate that just Justice Jefferson has been filling his war chest ($85,271). Chief Justice Phillips and Justice Hankinson have reportedly not raised cash, fueling speculation that they may be departing. Justice Rodriguez was too recently appointed to report any fundraising activity. Democratic Justice Linda Yanez ($7,500) of the 13th Court of Appeals
is seeking Justice Baker’s seat. Her possible opponent is GOP 1st Court
of Appeals Chief Justice Michael Schneider ($69,651). Also of the
1st Court, Justice Margaret Mirabal (D) is running against incumbent Justice
Rodriguez (R).•
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||