(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in March. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. I will also be conducting some in-person interviews of candidates who will be involved in contested primaries for non-judicial offices. Please see my 2010 Election page for a full list of Q&As and interviews.)
1. Who are you and what are you running for?
I am Reginald McKamie. I am a proud father of two sons, Board Certified Attorney, Decorated retired military officer (I am a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal as well as other military honors), philanthropist (I have given at least $50,000.00 in scholarships to students throughout the United States for college and graduate school students through a foundation I created), union member of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association AFL-CIO for 31 years, experienced merchant marine captain, national and international Continuing Legal Education speaker, Certified Public Accountant, caregiver to my 85 year old father and I am running for the 295th Civil District Court.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
Civil disputes.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
I believe all citizens, if given the opportunity and the skills, should provide public service and give back to the community that they live in. I think public service is the price we pair for the privilege of being a citizen. I have been blessed in many ways and this is an area where I believe I can serve my community at this time. I served my nation for 30 years as a Naval Officer and retired as a Captain (O-6) and now I want to serve the people of Harris County as a judge on this civil bench. While I may also have extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney on both the state and federal level I believe my business and civil trial experience make me better suited for a position as a civil district court judge.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
Law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Attorney. Twenty three years as a trial attorney in private practice. Certified Public Accountant. Business experience in human resources and finance in an oil and gas company. Business training with a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California. Intensive trial litigation training for representation of people against corporate or government abuse from reknown trial attorney Gerry Spence at the Trial Lawyers College.
5. Why is this race important?
First, all of the civil benches are very important because of the decisions that are rendered that affect the lives of Harris County residents and other citizens who may be doing business in Harris County and have disputes in Harris County or who are injured in Harris County. Second, this race is important because we have the rare opportunity to put a Democrat on the bench at this time. The long term incumbent Republican on this bench has been appointed to an appellate bench and the Republican running for the bench will not have the advantage of incumbency in the general election that the former judge on the bench would have had. Finally, the judge on this bench can help the District Clerk achieve some of his objectives of a more transparent judiciary by joining with him in his fight to place more courthouse records on line and to make the on line access to the courts more open and cost efficient for the public users.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
I am the most experienced and qualified candidate in this race. I have practiced law for 23 years as a solo practitioner. I am a Board Certified Attorney. Only 10% of attorneys have met the rigorous practical trial experience and academic qualifications to be Board Certified and to be considered a specialist in their particular area of the law. I have tried the tough cases in court for those that no one else would represent or against those that others feared to go against because they were percieved to have more money or more power than a regular citizen, therefore, I know how important it is to have a judge with an even temperament that respects all parties that enter the courtroom no matter their economic status. I believe a persons value is not determined by his net worth but rather by his self worth. I have management experience to run the courtroom in a professional and efficient manner. Perhaps most importantly, I am the true Democrat in this race. I stood up for Democratic principles and ran for public office as a Democrat when others who are now running as Democrats were voting in Republican primaries and working for Republican Justices. No one will have to wonder whether I am running as a Democrat for convenience or whether I will change my philosophy when I am elected or whether I will change parties when it is popular to be a Republican again because I have always been a Democrat and I have always supported Democratic candidates with my time and my money. I think it is important that in the primary we support known Democrats and not those who try to buy their way in to our party or try to get close to leaders in the Democratic party who might be able to influence voters by them ingratiating themselves and showing up at events that a Democratic leader may support or sponsor because they believe our party may be popular at this time and it might be personally advantageous for them to get a job on the bench. While I welcome former Republicans to our party I think they should be required to prove their allegiance to Democratic principles over time and not be allowed to step in to party leadership positions such as a position as a candidate in the general election against a Republican until it is clear that they are true Democrats and that is why I believe Democrats should vote for me in the Democratic primary.