The Chron continues a theme.
151st Civil District Court: Mike Engelhart
If you commute along the Southwest Freeway, then you probably know Judge Mike Engelhart from his big red billboard at Greenbriar Drive, which informs drivers that the two-term Democratic incumbent was voted trial judge of the year by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. But billboards cost money, and in their meeting with the editorial board, Engelhart’s Republican opponent Jeff Hastings bopped the sitting judge for his prolific fundraising – even from lawyers who practice in his court.
Engelhart’s response? “I fundraise for this position because I want to win this election.”
And he should win. Engelhart has developed a reputation as a terrific judge with an impressive work ethic.
152nd Civil District Court: Robert K. Schaffer
Over his two terms on the bench, Judge Robert Schaffer has been elected by his colleagues to important leadership positions such as local administrative judge, and voters should follow their lead by electing Schaffer to another term.
164th Civil District Court: Alexandra Smoots-Hogan
Many judicial challengers pick their races just to ensure that their preferred party has a candidate on the ballot. Republican Bruce Bain picked this court specifically to remedy the perceived inefficiencies and failings of Democratic incumbent Alexandra Smoots-Hogan.
In a meeting with the editorial board, Smoots-Hogan admitted that she could be more perceptive to lawyers’ hurt feelings, but wasn’t sure whether that actually impacted the real work of her court.
165th Civil District Court: Debra Ibarra Mayfield
Debra Ibarra Mayfield came up through the ranks of the judiciary, proudly proclaiming that she served as the first Latina judge in the Harris County civil courts at law before being appointed to this post by Gov. Greg Abbott last year. The Houston College of Law graduate began her legal career as a briefing attorney for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. Mayfield, the first in her family to attend college, brings a refreshing openness to the bench. She’s also an adjunct professor at University of Houston College of Law.
215th Civil District Court: Fred Shuchart
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Judge Elaine Palmer needs to be removed from her seat.
333rd Civil District Court: Joseph “Tad” Halbach
Republican Joseph “Tad” Halbach, 60, who took the bench more than two decades ago, says he still has a “fire in his belly” for the judiciary and should continue to serve. Board certified in civil trial law, Halbach is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center and consistently gets high ratings from his peers on Houston Bar Association polls.
334th Civil District Court: Grant Dorfman
In this race between two highly qualified and experienced candidates, we urge voters to keep incumbent Judge Grant Dorfman on the bench in the 334th civil district court.
So all incumbents except for one, with the one exception being what I predicted last time. The only close call was Judge Smoots-Hogan, who is apparently on notice. We’ll see how the Criminal Court judges do.
