Dallas County Judicial Endorsements from the DMN

These are not necessarily MY endorsements, I think my comments will make it clear who I’m supporting and who I’m not. As well as who I have formed no opinion of or have yet to make a decision on.

Editorial: Candidates, on the record

We all have a responsibility, too. We are all obligated to become informed voters between now and Election Day. The Voter Guide should help.

COMPARE candidate questionnaires, crafted by The Dallas Morning News editorial board. Also online, readers will find direct links to related news stories, blog items and voter information sites for North Texas counties and the state of Texas. dallasnews.com/voterguide

Editorial: Candidates, on the record

So, without further ado;

Editorial: We recommend Gena Slaughter in 191st Civil District Court

By her own admission, Gena Slaughter still has much to learn about being a judge, but we think she has the temperament and commitment to improve. She deserves re-election to the 191st Civil District Court bench.
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While bright and perceptive, Republican challenger Matthew Rinaldi, 35, didn’t make a compelling case for replacing a young judge making progress on the learning curve with another young, relatively inexperienced lawyer. With some additional experience, the Boston University Law School graduate might make a good candidate for recommendation in the future.

Editorial: We recommend Gena Slaughter in 191st Civil District Court

‘While bright and perceptive, Republican challenger Matthew Rinaldi’ translates to; Gena has boobs, Matt doesn’t.

I have met Matt Rinaldi. I spent a lot of time talking with Matt a few weekends ago at a picnic sponsored by the City of Rowlett.

Matt’s a great young man, very well spoken and fired up! He has conviction in his beliefs and he is not at all bashful about voicing those beliefs. Matt will be attending The Rowlett TEA Party Candidates Forum on Sept. 25th. Here’s a chance for a lot of Dallas County residents to hear what this fine young man has to say.

Also, Gena Slaughter was invited to the candidates forum as well. She didn’t have the common courtesy to contact us and say ‘Sorry, I can’t make it.’

Editorial: We recommend Roberts for 44th District Court judge

Republican Gene Roberts, an experienced business litigator and mediator, strikes us as having the calm demeanor and businesslike focus that the 44th Civil District Court needs after four years under the incumbent Democratic candidate, Carlos Cortez.

Roberts, 41, hasn’t been a judge, but what he offers is 12 years of experience as an SMU-educated lawyer trained in conflict resolution. One way to reduce the overall cost of our legal system is to keep potential litigants out of the courtroom to begin with, and in that regard, Roberts has the clear edge over Cortez.

Cortez, 40, a graduate of Texas Wesleyan, certainly has improved his court’s efficiency, bringing a cost-per-disposition average of $182 in 2007 down to $124 in 2010. He is confident and unquestionably smart, but his penchant for conflict undermines public confidence in his court. The Dallas Bar Association’s 2009 judicial poll gave Cortez unusually low marks across the board – especially for impartiality and judicial temperament.

Editorial: We recommend Roberts for 44th District Court judge

I personally don’t know these 2 gentlemen. They have also been invited to our TEA Party event and neither one responded either way.

With Judicial candidates, it’s very hard to get to know them, they move in a different world from most politicians, and most citizens for that matter. If the Judicial candidates don’t actually get out and mingle with We, The People, it’s hard to form an opinion.

Editorial: We recommend Stanton in 134th Civil District Court

James Stanton has been on the bench for not much more than a year, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in March 2009, but he has shown signs of being a promising judge and has increased the efficiency of the 134th Civil District Court.
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His opponent, Democrat Dale Tillery, 53, served ably in the Texas House and is board-certified in civil and personal injury law, with two decades of trial work. However, he offers no clear reason for voters to turn Stanton out.

Editorial: We recommend Stanton in 134th Civil District Court

From what I know about Stanton, I have to agree with the DMN editorial assessment.

Editorial: We recommend Ginsberg in 193rd Judicial District Court

When Judge Carl Ginsberg took the bench in 1997, he faced a daunting backlog. The 193rd Civil District Court had more cases pending than any other district court in Dallas County. Three and a half years later, the court had the fewest cases pending. Ginsberg, 40, has proved to be a hard-working judge who has made improving court efficiency a priority.

In his bid for re-election, the Democrat faces Wes Johnson, a trial attorney who began his career in El Paso and now works for a Dallas law firm. Johnson, 37, is a thoughtful Republican who has raised valid concerns about Ginsberg’s low bar poll ratings and a recent spike in rulings that were reversed on appeal. While Johnson could be a strong judicial candidate in the future, his resume is still somewhat one-dimensional and his trial experience limited.

Editorial: We recommend Ginsberg in 193rd Judicial District Court

Again I have to say, I know neither of these gentlemen personally, but if the heretofore opinions of the Dallas Morning News editorial staff is even close, BOTH appear to be well qualified. Both have outstanding invitations to The Rowlett TEA Party Candidates Forum

As for me, Ginsburg having the fewest cases pending speaks volumes to his efficiency and work ethic, but his low bar poll ratings and a recent spike in reversals causes me great concern. My feeling tells me to go with Wes Johnson and give the man a chance.

We, The People have an obligation to educate ourselves regarding the candidates before we go off on a *just pull the lever* tirade. Just because a candidate has an (R), a (D) or an (L) behind their name doesn’t necessarily make them the RIGHT choice.

Your vote counts. If you don’t believe that, let me point out, we recently had a runoff election in Rowlett, a City Council seat. That seat was decided by ONE VOTE! Just ONE. The winner of that runoff is, without a doubt, the most incompetent individual the citizens could have chosen. Just sayin’…

Early voting for the Nov. 2 election begins Oct. 18 and ends Oct. 29. Get out and VOTE Texas!