A top Texas judge, running for state Supreme Court, campaigns against a pay-for-play culture | DaveLieber
5th District Court of Appeals Justice David Schenck, a Republican candidate for Texas Supreme Court, stands outside Dallas' Old Red Courthouse. He is challenging the foundation of the Texas court system by pushing for stronger rules on campaign donations to judges.Most Texans, including me, don’t usually pay close attention to judicial races. But there’s one race coming up that’s worth watching because it shines light on the sacred concept of judicial impartiality.
Young, who has sat on the state’s highest court since November, gets to run against Schenck in the March 1 Republican primary as an unelected, unconfirmed, appointed incumbent. Abbott has announced his support for Young.Why wasn’t Schenck’s pedigree enough to get selected? He is running a campaign that is rare for a judicial candidate. He is pointing out that Texas law allows law firms to give donations to judges who hear their cases.
“We have great courts and great people on them,” he said. “But the appearance problem has been with us for 20 years. The state has the power and the obligation to eliminate this appearance. Other states have acted.”Schenck explained his campaign premise in several interviews with The Watchdog. His primary opponent declined to speak to me.
If I could have, I would have asked Young what his stand is on pushing for a new state law to change the Texas Constitution and limit campaign donations to judges. Campaign donation records show a Vinson & Elkins PAC gave Young’s campaign $20,000. A Baker Botts PAC gave Young’s campaign $15,000.
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