Chris Conrad

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Chris Conrad

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 1, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Rice University, 2003

Law

University of Texas School of Law, 2006

Personal

Birthplace

Sewickley, Pa.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Chris Conrad (Democratic Party) ran for election for the Place 9 judge of the Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals. He lost in the Democratic primary on March 1, 2022.

Conrad completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Chris Conrad was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor's degree from Rice University in 2003 and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 2006. His career experience includes working as an appellate attorney. Conrad has been affiliated with the Houston Bar Association - Appellate Section and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Elections

2022

See also: Texas intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

General election

General election for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9

Incumbent Randy Wilson defeated William Demond in the general election for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Randy Wilson (R)	52.9	849,980
		William Demond (D)	47.1	756,443

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,606,423
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9

William Demond defeated Chris Conrad in the Democratic primary for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		William Demond	62.2	125,636
		Chris Conrad	37.8	76,487

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 202,123
= 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 Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9

Incumbent Randy Wilson advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Randy Wilson	100.0	251,345

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 251,345
= 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.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Chris Conrad completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Conrad's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Rice and UT law graduate. I have worked as an attorney for 15 years. For the past six years I have focused exclusively on appellate law. During my time as an appellate attorney, I have handled all types of appellate matters and filed over 100 briefs in the intermediate courts of appeals and the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I strongly believe that the law should be applied fairly to all parties. In any system, the natural tendency is for the powerful and well connected to accrue more power and benefits over time. It is critically important for judges at all levels to resist the temptation to interpret laws in favor of the stronger party. If elected, I will guard against this type of preferential treatment and work to ensure that all parties are treated fairly by the legal system.
• I am prepared to step in and make an impact on day one. I have exclusively practiced appellant law in the 1st and 14th Court of Appeals over the past 6 years. This experience makes me ideally suited to transition from litigant to justice.
• I am a committed Democrat and my experience as a prosecutor makes me a strong general election candidate.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about ensuring that all litigants are afforded their rights and privileges under the law. I believe a well-functioning justice system is critical to a well-functioning society. That is why I believe we must do everything we can to ensure that indigent defendant's receive effective assistance of counsel and that worker's rights are protected.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

President Obama. I admire his ability to unite and inspire voters with a positive, constructive message.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Renegades: Born in the USA podcast

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Character and competence

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am committed, compassionate, and competent.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Reviewing lower trial court decisions and making sure that all litigants had their rights fully protected.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would leave a legacy of dedicated public service. Nothing is more important to our society than a fair, functioning judicial system. I would work every day to make sure that these principals are upheld.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember watching on television as the Berlin wall was torn down. I was 9-years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as a server at Golden Corral for two summers while I was in High School.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Ulyssess. Because of its structure and varied styles of storytelling

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Neo

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Video killed the radio star

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Finding and maintaining the best balance between career and family has been difficult at times for me.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Justices on the 14th Court of Appeals review litigation from both criminal and civil trial courts. They have the power in some cases to determine if a defendant's bail is set at an unreasonable level. Finally, they have the power in many cases to overturn the decision of a trial judge if they determine that the trial judge abused her discretion.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I believe in applying the law evenhandedly with common sense and compassion

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

I have worked as a public servant my entire legal career, so I have not been rated by a Bar Association.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running for this seat because I have practiced appellate law in this Court for the past six years. This has made me especially qualified to assume a role as a justice on the court. Additionally, I am passionate about appellate law and believe I can make the most positive impact as a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. I think what really matters for an appellate judge is having practicing in front of the trial courts you will be asked to oversee.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Making sure that it treats all litigants fairly.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

Texas has a great opportunity to provide legal services to citizens who currently cannot afford representation.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

I am focused on becoming a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals. I am not currently interested in serving on a higher court in the future.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

I don't have experience with bar association ratings, so I am unable to say

Tell us your favorite joke.

What do you do with an elephant with 3 balls? Walk him and pitch to the Rino

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.

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Candidate

Texas Fourteenth District Court of Appeals Place 9

Website

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