Meet the candidates for Place 6 on Texas Supreme Court on November 5 ballot
READ MORE
2024 Tarrant County and Texas voter guide
Read about the Tarrant County, Texas and federal races before you head to the polls on Election Day.
Expand All
The Texas Supreme Court is the state’s highest court, or court of last resort, for civil matters in the state. It is made up of nine justices who serve in six-year terms, and three of the court’s seats are up for election this cycle.
Republican Jane Bland is one of three Republican incumbents on the court looking to fend off challenges from Democrats. Democrat Bonnie Goldstein is serving as a justice on the 5th District Court of Appeals.
JANE BLAND
Party: Republican
Age: 59
Campaign website: https://www.justicejanebland.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: Team@JusticeJaneBland.com
Occupation: Texas Supreme Court Justice
Education: UT Law School (J.D. 1990); UT-Austin (B.B.A., Accounting/Honors Business, 1987); Board-Certified, Civil Trial and Appellate Law
Have you run for elected office before? Texas Supreme Court (2019-present); Texas Court of Appeals (2003-2018); Texas State District Judge (1997-2003)
Please list highlights of your civic involvement. Throughout my career, I have been recognized for my work to improve our state’s judiciary. In 2010, Chief Justice John Roberts presented me with the William H. Rehnquist Award, given to a state court judge who exemplifies the highest level of judicial excellence, integrity, fairness, and professional ethics. The Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists has recognized me as the judge of the year four times. I chair the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. I am the Court’s liaison to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society and deputy liaison to the Rules Advisory Committee. I am a member of the American Law Institute. I serve on the Advisory Committee for the Federal Civil Rules for the Judicial Conference of the United States. I have chaired and served on the board of one of the largest legal aid organizations in Texas.
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: No.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I comply with the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, which limits contributions to judicial campaigns. A report of all donors to my campaign is available at the Texas Ethics Commission website: www.ethics.state.tx.us
Why are you seeking this office? Judges must be fair to all who come to court and must treat everyone with respect. Judges also should foster understanding of the law even when they disagree about the outcome of a case. I work hard every day to live these ideals and to preserve, protect, and defend the United States and Texas Constitutions and our state laws.
What are your top three policy priorities? Beyond faithfully applying the rule of law, I work hard to improve access to justice for low-income Texans; to better help people with mental illness involved in our justice system; and to be transparent about court operations and make court information publicly available.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)? I am a board-certified lawyer who knows how important every case is to the parties involved. With 26 years of experience as a state judge, I have a proven track record of the kind of hard work and good judgment that a judge must have to decide the cases that come before our state’s highest court. I am the preferred candidate in every judicial qualification and preference poll. In each case, I study the facts and faithfully apply the law. I respectfully ask for your vote. Thank you for your consideration.
BONNIE GOLDSTEIN
Party: Democrat
Age: 62
Campaign website: http://justicegoldstein.com
Best way for voters to reach you: judgebonniegoldstein@gmail.com
Occupation: Justice, 5th District Court of Appeals
Education: GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL LAW CENTER Washington, D.C.; J.D., 1990; Moot Court Honors; UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII – KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE Honolulu, Hawaii; Legal Assistant Program (Summer 1985); HOOD COLLEGE Frederick, Maryland; B.A., 1984; Hood College Scholar; Spanish Honor Society; Mortar Board; MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Rockville, Maryland; Feb. 1980 to May 1980
Have you run for elected office before? I was elected to the 5th District Court of Appeals, in November of 2020 and have served as Justice, Place 3 since January 1, 2021. I was elected to the 44th Judicial District Court in November of 2014 and again in November of 2018. I served as the Presiding Judge of the 44th Judicial District Court from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. In November of 2010, I was a candidate for Justice, Place 4, Fifth District Court of Appeals, Dallas, Texas.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement. I have highlighted a few of my civic involvements and a copy of my complete resume is posted on my website justicegoldstein.com. Since 2015 the majority of my civic involvement has been focused on the professional development of attorneys. I have spoken as a member of judicial panels, participated on the planning committee of State Bar CLE programs and served as a course director for State Bar CLE programs. Prior to 2015, i helped establish and then served as the Presiding Judge for the Royse City Teen Court, training juveniles under the age of 17 to be Teen Court Prosecutors and Teen Court Defense Attorneys. I participated in numerous public outreach programs promoting driving, bike and field trip safety programs, including purchasing and then donating to Royse City, the SIDNE (Simulated Impaired Driving Experience) vehicle to educate on alcohol impaired driving
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: I have never been arrested. Other than a traffic violations, I have not been charged or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding as a defendant.. I have presided over class C misdemeanor fine only offenses as a municipal court judge, and prosecuted Class C misdemeanor offenses as municipal court prosecutor.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: I have never declared personal or professional bankruptcy. Other than divorce proceedings, I have been involved in the following civil lawsuits: Camp Wisdom/Cedar Ridge Joint Venture v. Ralph Roberts, et al., in the 298th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Cause No. 03-10681 (enforcement of deed restrictions. Plaintiff filed a non-suit.) Destructors, Inc. v. City of Forest Hill, et al. Cause No. 352-233299-08, 352nd Judicial District Court, Tarrant County, Texas. (sued as City Attorney enforcement of ordinances. Plea to the jurisdiction granted.) Other than mandamus actions, I was made aware of the following suits:James A. Ross v. Judge Bonnie Lee Goldstein, et al, No. 3:15CV-3350B, USDC, ND Texas. Self represented litigant filed suit under 42 USC 1983, dismissed with prejudice without my participation. Ruth Torres v Bonnie Lee Goldstein, et al (several other judges). No. 3-24-CV-1843-B. suit filed by former litigant in my trial court.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My campaign finance records are available publicly at the Texas Ethics Commission website, and are updated periodically according to the reporting schedule.
Why are you seeking this office? Due to the limited number of appeals heard by the Texas Supreme Court it is imperative to have Justices who appreciate and understand the impact of trial court decisions and the import of appellate decisions. Licensed in 1990, I have almost thirty-four years of varied legal practice. In addition, my judicial experience includes eleven years as a municipal judge, six years as a civil trial judge in the 44th Judicial District Court and I am in my fourth year serving as a justice on the 5th District Court of Appeals.I offer the voters of the State of Texas a qualified choice for this public office. My extensive professional background and experiences in civil legal practice, judicial trial and appellate experience provides me the necessary qualifications to serve as a Texas Supreme Court Justice. My complete resume may be found at justicegoldstein.com.
What are your top three policy priorities? As a judge or justice I do not set policy and as a member of a higher court, I do not set policy or priorities of the Court, sharing that responsibility with the other justices. Not being a current seated member of the Texas Supreme Court, it is difficult to opine on internal operations, administrative procedures or policy priorities currently set by the Court. However, ensuring access to justice, addressing juvenile justice, and mental health issues, initiatives overseen by the Texas Supreme Court, are of continued priority for me and for judiciary. Overall, my top priority is to preserve and protect the independence and integrity of the judiciary, which is paramount to the preservation and protection of all constitutional rights and the rule of law. As a member of the judiciary, I strive to enhance and maintain confidence in our legal system.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)? I believe in a fair, impartial and independent judiciary. The Canons prohibit a judge from being swayed by partisan interests. Politicizing the judiciary by party affiliation or ideology has had a negative impact on public opinion of our system of justice. To preserve, protect and promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary, I offer a qualified, experienced, choice to the voters of Texas, as an over three-three year practicing attorney with relevant judicial experience. My complete resume is posted on my website justicegoldstein.com. We elect judges, subject to limited exceptions of gubernatorial appointments, having a choice is part of the democratic electoral process.
This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 4:30 PM.
.jpg)
