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Candidate Path

Submitted by john wertz on 2016-02-29 16:22:38

PROS

Currently a sitting judge in this court
Highly experienced at all levels - 17 yrs as litigator, 10 on Appeals court and 11 on TX SC.
Over 5000 Published Opinions
Says philosophy is "Judicial conservatism"; originalist.
Believes judges should not impose “any personal or political agenda to my decisions”
Believes “justices must be vigilant in protecting the integrity of the Court to ensure that litigants are treated fairly”
Great respect for SCOTUS Justices Scalia, Thomas, & Alito.

CONS

** "Applies the Law as Written" {Radio Ad (2/29 @ 9:35am)} - code for he won't go against Supreme Court Ruling/s, EVEN IF unconstitutional(i.e. Obamacare; Gay Marriage Act);
Does not have an opinion on the budget of the court;
Did not respond to many questions (or had no opinion);
Does not appear to believe the Constitution carries the greatest influence on his rulings in all cases.
Does not appear to believe the Constitution requires an interpreter in criminal cases (lack of an interpreter is a due process violation)
Says he is conservative but he supports state licensing
Does not appear to support the 10th amendment by his answer indicating illegal aliens are a federal issue and not a state issue
His answer of "I have no opinion on this" to "Can the legislature effectively write law that makes sense for 13 million people?" is either evasive or short sighted.