Judges in Harris County Face Defeat in Democratic Primaries

In a surprising turn of events, three long-serving judges in Harris County, Texas, lost their Democratic primary elections by wide margins despite receiving high marks in a recent judicial evaluation poll conducted by the Houston Bar Association. Judges Mike Engelhart, Robert Schaffer, and Justice Peter Kelly all fell to their opponents, with Schaffer receiving less than 45% of the vote in his loss against TaKasha Francis.

The losses by Engelhart, Kelly, and Schaffer, along with several other sitting judges, reflect a trend that has emerged in the Houston area over the last decade. The electorate in Democrat-leaning Harris County, particularly those who vote in Democratic primaries, clearly favors women and, in many cases, African-American women. This shift in voter preference was evident as all three white male judges lost to Black women in their respective races.

The results of the Democratic primary elections have raised questions about the current system of electing judges in Texas. Some experts, like attorney Mary Flood, advocate for an overhaul of the system, suggesting that judges should be initially appointed based on qualifications and merit, with subsequent reviews by voters to determine their performance.

However, others, like campaign manager Eddie Rodriguez and Judge Erica Hughes, who won her race against Engelhart, believe that the current system, which allows for the replacement of poorly performing judges every few years, is better than the alternatives. Hughes emphasized that the bench belongs to the people and that the majority should have the final say in judicial elections.

The primary results also highlighted the impact of lawsuits filed by the incumbent judges challenging their opponents’ eligibility to appear on the ballot. While some of these challenges were successful, they may have backfired against the judges, leading to negative perceptions and potential backlash from voters.

Overall, the Democratic primary elections in Harris County have sparked discussions about the role of gender, race, and qualifications in judicial races, as well as the need for potential reforms in the election process. The outcomes of these races will have a significant impact on the composition of the judiciary in the region and could shape future judicial elections in Texas.