Legal watchdog urges voters: Know your judicial candidates
3/5/2008 11:26 AM
Press release from Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
AUSTIN - With the primary elections over, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) groups are urging voters to spend the coming months learning about all judicial candidates' backgrounds and qualifications before heading to the polls for the general election in November.
"Too often, many of us don't spend as much time researching judicial candidates as thoroughly as we research candidates for other offices," said Bill Summers, president of the Rio Grande Valley CALA. "Supreme Court justices and judges at the appellate and local level carry a significant responsibility, and it's our job as voters to know if judicial candidates are qualified and will uphold the proper role of the court."
CALA encourages voters to observe which justices consistently apply the law on a case-by-case basis.
"Following the rule of law and applying the law properly - not meeting some arbitrary percentage of finding for the plaintiffs or defendants - is what makes our courts fair and balanced for all parties," said Chip Hough, chairman of Bay Area CALA in Corpus Christi.
"We urge all Texas voters to be diligent in their research of judicial candidates," added Kirsten Voinis, executive director of CALA of Central Texas. "Take the time to learn about their backgrounds and qualifications for the job."
Diane Davis, executive director of East Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse, added that decisions made by judges have a tremendous impact on our daily lives.
"Voters need to elect judges that will ensure the rights of all parties are protected," Davis said.
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a nonprofit, grassroots coalition dedicated to making the public better aware of the cost and consequences of lawsuit abuse. With five chapters across the state, CALA counts count more than 25,000 supporters among its ranks. For more information, please visit www.tala.com.
