John Smith (Texas district judge)
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This page refers to the district judge from Texas. For the former West Virginia commissioner of agriculture, see John W. Smith (West Virginia).
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John Smith is the judge of Texas District 161.[1] Smith was appointed in 2006 by Gov. Rick Perry, and re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016.[2][3]
Elections
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.[4] Incumbent John Smith ran unopposed in the Texas 161st District Court Republican primary.[3]
| Texas 161st District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
 John Smith Incumbent | ||
Smith won without opposition in the general election.
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.[5]
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."[6]
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;*[7]
- 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.[5]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[5]
2012
Smith was re-elected without opposition to the 161st District Court.[8]
- See also: Texas judicial elections, 2012
Education
Smith received his undergraduate degree and J.D. from Texas Tech University.[2]
Awards and associations
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas District and County Attorneys Association
- Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Viet Nam Veterans of America[2]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ector County District Courts
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Office of Governor, "Press Release," April 22, 2006
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 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
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Summary" Select "2012 General Election"
