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Darlene Ewing
Darlene Ewing was the Democratic judge of the District Court 254 in Texas. Ewing was elected to the office on November 8, 2016. She was re-elected in 2018, but passed away on November 16, 2018.[1]
Education
Ewing received her bachelor's degree from East Texas State University. She later earned her J.D. from the University of Texas-Austin School of Law.[2]
Career
Ewing opened her family law practice in Dallas in 1982.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Ewing answered the following questions from The Dallas Morning News:
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
| “ |
First - I am the more experienced candidate. I have been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law since 1986. I have tried cases involving child abuse, divorce, property division, spousal support, custody, child support, paternity, grandparent rights. I have tried numerous jury trials, the most recent in August 2015. I have filed appellate briefs in family law. Second - As a family law attorney for 37 years, I have been exposed to numerous family situations involving drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sex addiction, physical abuse, emotional abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, financial disputes, characterization of property, disproportionate divisions; and essentially every issue that can be raised in a family law dispute. Third - Because of my experience, I believe I have the better temperament and demeanor to make decisions that affect people's lives. [3] |
” |
| —Darlene Ewing (2016), [4] | ||
Define and describe your view of a judge's appropriate temperament.
| “ |
It is important that a judge project a feeling of confidence and belief in the system. However, a judge should never be arrogant or condescending. In family law, the issues are very personal and emotional so it requires an understanding that people need to feel they are being heard and treated fairly. But, ultimately, you must follow the law. So, when rendering decisions a judge should deliver a ruling with a certain amount of grace and compassion. But, a judge must also control the attorneys and keep litigation from escalating emotionally and financially to the best of her ability. A judge must recognize that an attorney has a job to do and respect their role, but never let an attorney take over her courtroom. [3] |
” |
| —Darlene Ewing (2016), [4] | ||
Because Texas selects its judges and justices through partisan elections, you chose to run as a Republican, Democrat or member of another political party. What philosophies of that party led you to choose it for this race?
| “ |
I am a Democrat. As a Democrat, I believe we are the party that focuses on opportunity for all and not for the most fortunate. I believe that government's role is to foster opportunity for every citizen. I grew up in a lower income family. I went to college and law school on government guaranteed school loans. I am a product of public schools. I believe that it does take a village. Because the government provided me with an opportunity to succeed, I am able to take this opportunity and perhaps become a judge and give back. Once you have achieved, I believe you should help lift up others, not pull up the ladder and tell the next guy, you're on your own. [3] |
” |
| —Darlene Ewing (2016), [4] | ||
What specific innovations would you implement in your court to improve its efficiency?
| “ |
Family law attorneys spend too much time in pretrials. I would like to implement a system that allows lawyers to call in for pretrials and not have to make a courthouse appearance. I would also institute charge conferences when there are jury trials. Too many judges wait until the last minute to handle the jury charge and limine motions. [3] |
” |
| —Darlene Ewing (2016), [4] | ||
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Texas 254th District Court
Incumbent Darlene Ewing won election in the general election for Texas 254th District Court on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Darlene Ewing (D) | 100.0 | 472,319 |
| Total votes: 472,319 | |||
 = 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 254th District Court
Incumbent Darlene Ewing advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas 254th District Court on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Darlene Ewing | 100.0 | 95,123 |
| Total votes: 95,123 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Texas held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 1, 2016. A primary runoff election was held on May 24, 2016, for any seat where the top vote recipient did not receive a majority of the primary vote.[5] Darlene Ewing defeated Marty Jo Taylor in the Texas 254th District Court Democratic primary.[6]
| Texas 254th District Court, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Darlene Ewing |
68.53% | 81,052 |
| Marty Jo Taylor | 31.47% | 37,228 |
| Total Votes | 118,280 | |
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "Democratic Party Primary Election," accessed March 2, 2016 | ||
Darlene Ewing defeated incumbent Susan Rankin in the Texas 254th District Court general election.
| Texas 254th District Court, General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Darlene Ewing |
57.65% | 423,045 | |
| Republican | Susan Rankin Incumbent | 42.35% | 310,781 | |
| Total Votes | 733,826 | |||
| Source: Dallas County Elections, "Official Cumulative Results," accessed December 8, 2016 | ||||
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.[7]
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."[8]
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;*[9]
- 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.[7]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[7]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ NBCDFW.com, "Dallas News, "Darlene Ewing, who helped turn Dallas blue in a decade as Democratic Party chair, dies at 64," November 16, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Law Offices of J. Darlene Ewing, "Home," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 The Dallas Morning News, "Voter Guide: 254th Family District Court," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Texas," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Texas Courts Online, "Administrative Judicial Regions," accessed September 12, 2014
- ↑ Texas State Historical Association, "Judiciary," accessed September 12, 2014
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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
