Meet the Democrats running for justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Place 7
The Star-Telegram sent questionnaires to all candidates. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Staci Williams
Occupation: Presiding Judge, 101st District Court
Age:
Website: judgestaci.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: I currently sit on the 101st District Court bench. I was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: I was involved in 2 lawsuits filed by my opponent and the Republican Party of Dallas County, both of which they lost. I was also involved in a case against the City of Dallas which was settled. I have never declared bankruptcy.
Why are you seeking this office?:
I believe it’s important to have diverse points of view on the Court and I feel mine is one that will only make the Court better and more responsive to the people of Texas.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?:
Assuring fairness within the Texas Civil Court System, Increase accessibility to the Courts, bring balance to the Supreme Court.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
Experience and commitment matter. Before taking the bench, I had over 11 years of judicial/arbitral experience. I was an arbitrator for DART, U.S. Postal Service, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, NASD (now FINRA), and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Board. I was an administrative judge and municipal court judge. I have been trained by the Texas Center for the Judiciary and the National Judicial College. I have attended many continuing legal education programs on the issues arising in my court. I have made the judicial process fair for self- represented individuals by creating and distributing a legal resource booklet for their use. I intend to carry that forward to the Supreme Court should I win in November.
Brandy Voss
Occupation: Appellate specialist; Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law since 2009
Age: 43
Website: www.brandyvoss.com
Public offices you’ve held or run for, with years: While I have never run for office, I served as a briefing attorney for a year at the Texas Supreme Court for Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips in 2002 — I was one of 18 law students from around the country to be offered this position. I also served for four years as a Senior Staff Attorney at the Thirteenth Court of Appeals for Justice Gina Benavides.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: In college, I was at a party where alcohol was present, and I received a ticket for minor in possession of alcohol along with all others present. I paid the ticket.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Aside from a divorce proceeding, I have not been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding.
Why are you seeking this office?:
There has not been a Democrat on the Texas Supreme Court for over 20 years. I think both Republicans and Democrats can agree that when there is vigorous debate on the Court, the debate results in better law for the state of Texas. Traveling around the state, voters repeatedly tell me that they want judges who are fair and qualified for the position. I will bring fairness and substantial experience to the Texas Supreme Court.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?:
1) Lack of access to justice is a recurring problem in Texas. Courthouse doors should not be closed to litigants because they cannot afford litigation costs. I would promote rule changes reducing litigation costs. 2) The public perceives that the Texas Supreme Court favors businesses over individuals. Texans need not worry that odds are stacked against them. I would prioritize fairness and transparency. 3) Many lament the vanishing jury trial. Verdicts are often reversed without sufficient explanation, leaving litigants unable to structure cases to meet the law’s requirements. I support policies that preserve the right to a jury trial.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?:
Many constitutional issues may come before the Texas Supreme Court soon. I have been an adjunct professor of Constitutional law at UTRGV, teaching law-enforcement officers to respect the Constitution in their interactions with the public. I have more appellate experience than both my Democratic and Republican opponents combined. I have participated in roughly 1,000 appellate proceedings. I am the only candidate that is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law — meaning I am the only one who can call themselves an expert in this area of the law. I am the most qualified candidate, poised to win in November 2020.
This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 11:42 AM.
