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Charles Johnson (Texas)
Charles Johnson (Republican Party) ran for election for judge of the Texas 263rd District Court. Johnson lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Texas 263rd District Court
Amy Martin defeated Charles Johnson in the general election for Texas 263rd District Court on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Amy Martin (D) | 57.1 | 674,968 |
 | Charles Johnson (R)  | 42.9 | 506,609 | |
| Total votes: 1,181,577 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas 263rd District Court
Amy Martin advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas 263rd District Court on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Amy Martin | 100.0 | 132,623 |
| Total votes: 132,623 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas 263rd District Court
Charles Johnson defeated Justin Keiter in the Republican primary for Texas 263rd District Court on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Charles Johnson | 59.6 | 73,764 |
| Justin Keiter | 40.4 | 50,019 | ||
| Total votes: 123,783 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
The judges of the Texas District Courts are chosen in partisan elections. They serve four-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving.[1]
Though Texas is home to more than 400 district courts, the courts are grouped into nine administrative judicial regions. Each region is overseen by a presiding judge who is appointed by the governor to a four-year term. According to the state courts website, the presiding judge may be a "regular elected or retired district judge, a former judge with at least 12 years of service as a district judge, or a retired appellate judge with judicial experience on a district court."[2]
Qualifications
To serve on the district courts, a judge must be:
- a U.S. citizen;
- a resident of Texas;
- licensed to practice law in the state;
- between the ages of 25 and 75;*[3]
- a practicing lawyer and/or state judge for at least four years; and
- a resident of his or her respective judicial district for at least two years.[1]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[1]
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Charles Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Johnson's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My top priority would be the trial of cases. The court dockets are seemingly hopelessly backed up, and I want the Citizens of Harris County, Texas to receive due process much more quickly. In addition, and in conjunction, I want victims to receive justice much more swiftly. Secondarily, restoring public confidence in the purpose of the criminal courts is very important to me. Punishment, retribution for society and rehabilitation of offenders are the purposes of the criminal courts and society must have confidence that these things are being accomplished by the criminal courts. Thirdly, I am passionate about changing the perception of what Judges do. As an African American, I especially want young men, and particularly minority young men to know that there is a better way to live than a life of crime. Judges can be a positive force in the lives of all citizens, and I want to lead in advancing that idea. We in our civil society agree to live together by a certain set of rules. We empower certain among us with the power to regulate how we live within that framework. For almost 20 years I have worked as a check and balance to make sure that those empowered to regulate us, do not begin to tyrannically rule us. Now, I am taking my expertise to the regulatory aspect of society, and I hope to be a positive force for justice in that position. I am running for this office to bring the ideas and ideals that Conservatives share to the administration of Justice in this County. I believe that the values of hard work, doing things right every time, achieving your goals on merit and being a good citizen -faithful to neighbors and country- have been lost. I believe that a Judge can both set an example, and take direct action to hold society both upright and accountable. Every action that a citizen takes, both good and bad, has an effect on their community. I want to be there to praise those who do good, and bring swift and hard accountability to those who would do evil. My faith, and experiences in life and law, make me uniquely suited to hold this office. I will bring a presence and perspective to the bench that is new to the judiciary in Harris County, Texas.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Although not related to my run for a criminal court bench, I am personally passionate about illegal immigration, welfare reform, tax reform, stamping out voter fraud and economic empowerment for the middle and lower classes. Ironically, stopping illegal immigration, enacting tax reform, stamping out voter fraud and enacting welfare reform will lead to economic empowerment for the middle and lower classes. I believe that minorities must leave the plantation of liberal ideas that are not working. In addition, today's liberals and Democrats seem to care more about votes than economic empowerment. I am most passionate about a philosophy of America First.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my father. He is the best man I have ever known. He is the most solid, upright person I have ever met. He is an example of what every person should aspire to be, and no matter what situation he may find himself in, he does it right, every time. Though I am 49 years old, I seek his advice and counsel every day.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Liberty and Tyranny, by Mark Levin
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
An elected official must serve the people, must have proven personal success and most importantly, should not be getting a raise in salary when seeking office. Honesty, transparency and empathy towards those the official serves are all also key.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I seek only to serve the citizens of Harris County. I will be taking an ENORMOUS paycut to serve my fellow citizens. I believe I have knowledge and skills to offer the County, and I want to help keep my County safe. I have no ego, and no need for celebrity or notoriety. I have reached a point in my career that I genuinely want to give back and be a public servant.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas is my favorite holiday. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a time of goodwill for all.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The King James Bible. This book is the chronicle of my faith and a great guide for life.
How would you describe your legal philosophy?
Strict Originalism when it comes to the law and Constitution.
Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?
Justice Clarence Thomas
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
- Courts in Texas
- Local trial court judicial elections, 2018
- Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2018)
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
