Candidates for Tarrant County Criminal District Judge, Court 4 on November 8 ballot
Andy Porter
Political party: Republican
Age as of November 8, 2022: 49
Campaign website: www.Porter4Judge.com
Occupation: Judge
Education: B.A., cum laude, Austin College, 1995; J.D., with honors, Drake University, 1998
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Yes. 2nd Court of Appeals 2016
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have served on Austin College’s L Association Alumni Board for almost 10 years. I volunteer with a local food pantry. I have served on the leadership board of a local Republican club and been a member of many Republican clubs in Tarrant County. I have served on the advisory boards of two different Teen Courts in Texas. And I have volunteered with local high schools as a debate coach and judge, as well as guest speaker on The United States Constitution.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? The Arlington Republican Club PAC, The Metroplex Republican Women PAC, Vera Porter
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent? I am the only candidate in this race who has judicial experience and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
What are the three biggest issues in this race? Depth of legal experience, ability to handle a complex felony docket, and expertise in the law.
What is your promise to Tarrant County residents if you win? I will work to aggressively resolve the backlog caused by COVID-19. I will be available to both prosecutors AND defense attorneys five days per week - especially Friday afternoons. And I will run an open and transparent court as required by Article I, Section 10 of the Texas Constitution.
In your view, are there any crimes being too lightly sentenced in Tarrant County? Are there crimes that are being too harshly sentenced? As a judge, I have great respect for our jury system. It is through juries’ voices that we learn what the community expects in sentencing. Each jury bases its sentencing verdict on the evidence it hears during trial.
What should be the top priorities of a Tarrant County criminal district judge? Running an efficient docket; being available for lawyers (especially on Friday afternoons) providing a fair and open court for the public; and - when the opportunity arises - being involved in civic education programs for lawyers, adults, and kids.
Sam Williams
Political party (if applicable): Democrat
Age as of November 8, 2022: 53
Campaign website: www.samforjudgecdc4.com
Occupation: Attorney
Education: J.D. - Texas Wesleyan University; B.A. - U.T. Arlington
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have worked with Big Brothers & Sisters of Arlington and served as a Big Brother for a designated youth. I’m a Board Member for the Tarrant County Reentry Coalition. I’m a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and work with various community programs that we sponsor with youth and educational programs. I’m a member of the Arlington Chapter of the NAACP.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? David Godsey, Terris Walker, and Fred Donahue.
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent? I’m a trial attorney with over 100 jury trials. I have prosecuted and served as defense counsel for cases ranging from DWI to Capital Murder. I have demonstrated the work ethic and temperament to handle the demands of running a court and overseeing a staff to work expeditiously to see that justice is served to all citizens of Tarrant County.
What are the three biggest issues in this race? Experience — I have worked exclusively as a trial attorney. My opponent‘s experience is predominantly centered around appellate matters. Work Ethic — I worked for almost 10 years as a police officer in Arlington before becoming an attorney. I also serve in the U.S. Army Reserve and hold the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In that position I oversee training and personnel matters for a Legal Command. My opponent recently was investigated for maintaining a “Ghost Court.” He was appointed an Associate Judge in the Juvenile Court and failed to perform the duties to the point that the Tarrant County Commissioners conducted an investigation that ultimately decided to defend his position. Finally, the position of judge requires someone that understands the law and knows when to show compassion and take steps to protect the community when facts warrant it. I have a family with a wife and kids, and I understand the needs of the Tarrant County community.
What is your promise to Tarrant County residents if you win? I will go to work on Day 1 to handed the business of the court. I have worked for nearly two decades in the trial courts and will be fair and impartial to all parties involved in any case.
In your view, are there any crimes being too lightly sentenced in Tarrant County? Are there crimes that are being too harshly sentenced? The TX Penal Code grants ranges of punishment for Defendants convicted of certain crimes. The facts of the case should dictate what a particular sentence should be. The judge should govern within the parameters of the Penal Code and show compassion and sentence Defendants as warranted.
What should be the top priorities of a Tarrant County criminal district judge? A judge should know the law and be able to set aside personal biases to ensure that his or her rulings are sound, reasonable, and fair. The wheels of justice can sometimes move slowly but they must always be moving towards ensuring that justice is served. As judge, I will ensure that justice is served.
