Judge Orders New Election for 180th District Court Judge in Harris County

Judge Orders New Election for Harris County 180th District Court Judge

In a surprising turn of events, a judge has ordered Harris County to hold a new election for the 180th District Court judge after a lawsuit was filed challenging the results of the 2022 race. Republican candidate Tami Pierce, who narrowly lost to Democratic Judge DaSean Jones by a margin of 449 votes, raised concerns about the validity of the election.

Judge David Peeples, a visiting judge from Bexar County, issued the order in the 165th District Court, citing the narrow margin of victory and the presence of 1,430 illegal votes in the judicial race. The ruling stated that the true outcome of the election could not be determined due to these irregularities.

Both parties have responded to the ruling, with Jones’ lawyer, Oliver Brown, stating they will appeal the decision. On the other hand, Pierce’s lawyer, Paul Simpson, expressed hope that Jones would not appeal and allow Harris County voters to participate in a new election.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges in Texas elections, with experts warning that such disputes can erode voter confidence. Brown criticized the Texas Election Code for placing the burden of defending election results on candidates rather than holding the government accountable.

The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for both candidates and the voters of Harris County. As the saga continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming new election for the 180th District Court judge seat.