Some Early Criminal Justice Election Results

Having now voted, behind a reasonably healthy line, here in Johnson County, I thought it might be prudent to throw out some early results.  That title, however, is somewhat misleading.  These are actually those candidates that are part of the criminal justice system here in Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, and Parker Counties that are unopposed.  That does, of course, include some appellate court news, but I'm going to stay away from the Supreme Court of Texas for now.

In Tarrant County, Judge George Gallagher of the 396th District Court, Judge Wayne Salvant of Criminal District Court 2, Judge Louis Sturns of the 213th District Court, and Sergio De Leon on Justice of the Peace #5 are all unopposed.  Obviously all but the latter are district courts that handle only criminal cases in Tarrant County, but the latter is included as a court of general jurisdiction.  The Second Court of Appeals will also not be seeing any changes, as Chief Justice Terrie Livingston and Justices Lee Ann Dauphinot, Sue Walker, and Bob McCoy are all unopposed.  On that note, it's good to see Dauphinot, perhaps the most knowledgable of the group in criminal cases, return to the bench.

In Johnson County, it appears that system, whatever you may think of it, will remain unchanged as well.  Sheriff Bob Alford, Judge John Neil of the 18th District Court, Judge Bill Bosworth of the 413th District Court, District Attorney Dale Hanna, and County Attorney Bill Moore are all unopposed.  Also Unopposed for Johnson County is the Chief Justice for the 10th Court of Appeals, Tom Gray.  For those that are unfamiliar, of the counties I generally talk about, Johnson is the only county covered by the 10th Court of Appeals.  Tarrant, Hood, and Parker County cases are all reviewed by the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth.

Parker County will also not be seeing many changes.  Sheriff Larry Fowler is unopposed, as is County Attorney John Forrest, District Attorney Don Schnebly, County Court at Law Judge Ben Akers, and 413th District Judge Graham Quisenberry.  Judge Trey Loftin of the 43rd District Court, appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2010 to fill a mighty big chair (replacing Judge Don Chrestman), lost in the primary election to Craig Towson, who now runs unopposed as the new judge of the 43rd District Court.

Last, but certainly not least, for local elections is Hood County, where District Attorney Rob Christian, Sheriff Roger Deeds, and Justice of the Peace #4 Judge Danny Tuggle all run unopposed.  Also without opposition is the new County Attorney, Lori Kaspar, who will replace the retiring Kelton Conner.  Unlike all the other counties above, there is one county seat in Granbury that involves the criminal justice system and is up for grabs, but it belongs to a Justice of the Peace race.  Hood County has created a new JP Court, splitting JP1 and JP2 into separate courts, and the race is on for JP1.  However, the race is Republican vs. Democrat in a historically very Republican county.

On a final note, there are three contested seats on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest criminal court in the state, this time around.  While two of those races see incumbents facing challenges by Libertarian candidates, those being Barbara Hervey vs. Mark Bennet and Elsa Alcala vs. William Strange, one is a hotly contested race-- the race for Presiding Judge.  Ever controversial Judge Sharon Keller has a serious challenge from Keith Hampton, a defense attorney I know and respect very much.  There is also a Libertarian candidate, Lance Stott, but this case is very much a two person heat.  I commend you all to the following:

Keith Hampton Website

Lance Stott Libertarian Party Website

Sharon Keller Website

League of Women Voters Election Guide

Update-- as of 9:42, early results have Presiding Judge Keller retaining her seat, along with Judge Hervey and Judge Alcala.  Keep an eye on statewide results here at the Secretary of State Website.