Texas primaries have a runoff Tuesday May 24. In a race where no candidate gets more than 50 % there must be a runoff. Early voting, at least in the Houston area, starts Monday May 16, goes through May 20. Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM. For locations see harrisvotes. If you vote early you have time to rectify any problems you may have. You do need to be registered at least 30 days prior to May 24. The runoff has no bearing on the Presidential primary; delegates have been apportioned to candidate according to the March 1 primary vote.
I am voting for the endorsements of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus.
On the Harris County Democratic Party website there is a complete list of Harris County runoff candidates. Find it from the drop-down menu from ‘Election’ on the bar at the top.
Many people unfortunately neglect Democratic primary runoffs, but these are very much part of the election process. People’s lives may very well be affected more by their local officials than by ones in higher offices.
I am writing about a selected list of candidates, listing in each race my choice first.
Eric William Carter is in a runoff to succeed retiring Justice of the Peace Dale Gorczynski. Runoff opponent is Tanya Makany-Rivera. JP Precinct 1 is the central part of Harris County. This court has one of the largest caseloads in the state. Carter on Apr. 16 attended a meeting of Houston Area Kossacks. I enjoyed a nice conversation with him. Intelligent guy. His Juris Doctorate is from the South Texas College of Law. Here is an interview with Charles Kuffner.
Dr. Dakota Carter (not related to Carter above) is in a runoff with Jasmine L. Jenkins for State Board of Education, District 6. I have had conversations with Carter about evolution and he would champion its deserved inclusion in public school curricula. Also he is a critic of the testing industry, unlike his opponents.
Ed Gonzalez is in a runoff with Jerome Moore for Harris County Sheriff. The incumbent is Republican. Gonzalez until recently served on the Houston City Council. Before that he was a Houston police officer, led murder investigations, and rose to the rank of Sergeant,.
State district courts are trial courts for major cases. There are civil, criminal, and family district courts. District judges are elected to 4-year terms. In Harris County they are all elected countywide and different ones are up for re-election every 2 years.
Kristen Hawkins is in a runoff with Rabeea Collier for judge of the 11th Civil District Court. Hawkins graduated magna cum laude from the South Texas College of Law. She has 16 years experience as an attorney. In 2010 she was appointed a Harris County Tax Master and has presided weekly over Tax Court meetings. She often speaks to groups on Social Security Disability law.
Julie Countiss is in a runoff with Fredericka Phillips for judge of the 61st Civil District Court. Countiss has her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She earlier taught in public school. She has taken on pro bono cases from Kids in Need of Defense, including immigration cases. She is an Assistant County Attorney.
JoAnn Storey is in a runoff with incumbent judge Elaine Palmer of the 215th Civil District Court. Storey graduated summa cum laude from the South Texas College of Law. From Jacksonville University she has a B. S. in Management. There have been some hard feelings among Democrats about this court. In the 2012 primary Judge Palmer defeated incumbent Judge Steven Kirkland in a bitter contest. She had been recruited and supported by a disgruntled lawyer. Her primary campaign made an issue of a drunk driving conviction of Kirkland way back in 1984.