Candidates for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Seat 5 on Nov. 8 ballot
Scott Walker
Republican Scott Walker did not respond to a candidate questionnaire.
Dana Huffman
Party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 55
Campaign Website: JudgeHuffman.com
Occupation: Municipal judge/Magistrate
Education: B.B.A. 1989, Juris Doctor 1995
Previous elected offices sought: District Judge in 2020 Collin County
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Member Pro Bono Section of the State Bar, City of Richardson Animal Shelter Advisory Commission, Former Faculty for Texas Municipal Education Center, Animal Rescue Volunteer
Top three campaign contributors: Andrew Rumer TX Dem. Women, TX AFL-CIO
Most important distinction between you and your opponent: Judicial Experience. I have held judicial positions for over 20 years and my opponent’s judicial experience is the 5 years he has sat on the Court of Criminal Appeals. My life and career experience have prepared me uniquely to serve as a Judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. My time as a judge, magistrate and attorney, give me the experience and understanding that mere reading of a transcript cannot impart.
Three biggest issues in this race: This is a statewide judicial bench. I regret that I am not able to answer further based upon my responsibilities to the judicial canons as well as my responsibilities to the future litigants that will come before the CCA. I can promise to fairly review the legal issues coming before the court and be a neutral judge who will wait until I hear both sides before making any decisions.
Experience that has made you qualified for this office: A trial judge must not only know the law (as an appellate judge) but we must know the law fast enough to rule in a courtroom as the trial develops. We cannot rely on staff attorneys to help brief issues over a period of time. We must be able to rule and rule within the law in a timely manner with litigants and a jury in front of us. I have practiced criminal law for 25 years. I have been a trial judge for 20 years. I have worked in every position a lawyer can hold in a courtroom. Additionally, I have taught other judges across the state thru the TMCEC thru a grant funded by the Court of Criminal Appeals.
How would things change if you were elected? This is a statewide judicial bench. I regret that I am not able to answer further based upon my responsibilities to the judicial canons as well as my responsibilities to the future litigants that will come before the CCA. I can promise to fairly review the legal issues coming before the court and be a neutral judge who will wait until I hear both sides before making any decisions.