News
Editorial: Order in the court
Three incumbents on the Texas Supreme Court are seeking election or re-election to the state’s highest civil appellate court. They all have earned voters’ endorsement.
Chief Justice
Wallace Jefferson is becoming a judicial star, perhaps even a superstar.
The Republican jurist, first appointed to the court in 2001 by Gov. Rick Perry and chief justice since 2004, brought zero bench experience when he got the call from the governor’s office. That has proven to be no impediment.
He has served the court, and the public, well.
Chief Justice Jefferson has put the court’s opinion on the Internet, making valuable use of 21st-century technology. “We need to share those opinions with the public,” he said in acknowledging that, first and foremost, he is a public servant.
Jefferson, who is challenged by Democratic Dallas County District Court Judge Jim Jordan, has more than earned re-election to a new six-year term.
Place 7
Justice Dale Wainwright has faced some criticism over his work ethic. Critics contend he doesn’t write a sufficient number of opinions.
But is that sufficient reason to toss him off the court? Hardly.
Wainwright isn’t a rubber-stamp jurist and notes, contrary to critics of the high court, that plaintiffs have won their share of civil appeals.
The justice is getting a vigorous challenge from Sam Houston, a personal injury lawyer who has drawn support from both the plaintiff’s and defense bar.
It’s not clear that Houston would be more efficient than the incumbent.
With all that said, Justice Wainwright should return for another term on the Texas Supreme Court.
Place 8
Justice Phil Johnson brings some valuable West Texas perspective to a court long populated by judges who live within the corridor between Interstates 35 and 45.
He was a serious jurist when he served as chief justice on the 7th Court of Appeals in Amarillo and continues his serious and studious approach to the law on the Supreme Court.
Democratic Justice Linda Yanez of the 13th Court of Appeals is a formidable candidate, but Johnson has a superior track record.
Justice Johnson got the high court appointment in 2006 from Gov. Perry and he should stay there for another six years.
