Kristal Thomson
Kristal Thomson was a 2016 candidate for the 408th District Court in Texas.[1] She was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Education
Thomson earned her B.A. in government from the University of Texas-Austin. She later received her J.D. from the St. Mary's University School of Law.[2]
Career
Thomson has been a partner at Wilson, Pennypacker & Thomson since 2009.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Thomson's campaign website listed the following themes for 2016:
| “ |
A district court bench is the highest level of trial court in the state of Texas. District court judges have a direct impact on the citizens of Bexar County. It is more likely that your life will be affected by a district court judge than any other person in public office. The current Judge of the 408th District Court is Larry Noll. He is one of the best judges we’ve ever had in Bexar County. His work ethic and professionalism are unmatched. Judge Noll has mentored me since I was in law school. After taking his family law class at St. Mary’s Law School, we stayed in touch, and he continued to mentor me throughout my career. I had a case or two against him as a young lawyer before he took the bench, which I always enjoyed. He was a tough, professional and honest opponent. When I tried cases in front of him I was glad to know that he carried all of those same attributes to the bench. I have not won everything I have tried in front of him, but I appreciate his willingness to start early and stay late, as well as his legal acumen. If elected, I will continue to uphold Judge Noll’s traditions of hard work and professionalism. Lawyers and litigants can expect to be treated fairly. I will show respect and courtesy to every person that comes into the 408th, regardless of their background. I will make sure that I uphold my ethical duties as well as my professional obligations every day. I have dedicated myself to professional and civic services throughout my career as a lawyer. I have the experience that truly matters for the 408th District Court. [3] |
” |
| —Kristal Thomson (2016), [4] | ||
Elections
2016
| Texas 408th District Court, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Angelica Jimenez |
38.18% | 35,805 |
| Gabe Quintanilla |
25.64% | 24,045 |
| Kristal Thomson | 17.24% | 16,168 |
| Milton Fagin | 9.59% | 8,996 |
| Virgil Yanta | 9.35% | 8,771 |
| Total Votes | 93,785 | |
| Source: Bexar County, Texas, "2016 Joint Primary Elections," accessed March 2, 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.[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]
Endorsements
2016
Thomson's campaign website listed the following endorsements for the Democratic primary:[8]
- The San Antonio Express-News
- Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kristal for Judge, "About Kristal," accessed February 24, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kristal for Judge, "Why Kristal?" accessed February 24, 2016
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Kristal for Judge, "Supporters," accessed February 24, 2016
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
