Michael Puhl
Michael Puhl was a 2016 candidate for the Texas 416th District Court in Texas.[1] Puhl lost in a primary runoff election on May 24, 2016.
Education
Puhl earned his B.S. in business administration from Chicago State University, and his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School.[2]
Career
Puhl has been the owner of The Puhl Law Group since 2011. He was previously the managing partner of the McKinney office of Holmes, Diggs Eames & Puhl.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Puhl participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies him to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I have been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2008. I am a former President of the Plano Bar Association and a former Director of the Collin County Bar Association. I am a member of the Texas Association of Family Law Specialists since 2008. I am a frequent presenter to both attorneys and mental healthcare professionals at national, state and local conferences regarding various legal and professional issues. I have been the Texas delegate and presenter to the national association of marriage and family therapy regulatory boards for several years and have been instrumental in the consideration and adoption of many national reforms in the mental healthcare industry. I have been a certified mediator for nearly 20 years and have successfully mediated hundreds of cases for other attorneys. I consistently work to better my profession and those non-legal professionals who come into contact with the court system. I have been consistently committed to improve the legal system and to make it operate efficiently and to assist those professionals participating in the court system to be more competent and efficiently. I am serious about making a positive difference for every party, attorney and professional who comes into contact with the legal system.[3][4] | ” |
When asked why he was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am passionate about public service. I was encouraged by many lawyers, judges and local leaders to run for the open seat created by the decision of the current sitting judge to seek election to a state office. I value the position and responsibility that the next judge of this court will hold. I realize that the position of judge is more important than that of the person who holds that position. I seek to use my experience to serve my community and uphold the high standards necessary and expected of a District Court judge.[3][4] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who he admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I have always admired former Judge Curt Henderson. He exhibited all of the best traits of a district court judge, He was fair, impartial, patient, and considerate of all. His legal knowledge was impeccable. I aspire to follow in his footsteps.[3][4] | ” |
When asked about his primary concern regarding today's judicial system in his state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I am concerned that there are many political issues which challenge the impartiality of judges.[3][4] | ” |
Elections
2016
Andrea Thompson defeated Michael Puhl in the Texas 416th District Court Republican primary runoff.
| Texas 416th District Court, Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Andrea Thompson |
62.09% | 6,309 |
| Michael Puhl | 37.91% | 3,852 |
| Total Votes | 10,161 | |
| Source: Collin County, Texas, "Primary Runoff Election," accessed May 24, 2016 | ||
| Texas 416th District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Andrea Thompson |
41.89% | 27,579 |
| Michael Puhl |
29.34% | 19,321 |
| Lon Garner | 16.71% | 11,002 |
| Andrea Kelly Bouressa | 12.06% | 7,939 |
| Total Votes | 65,841 | |
| Source: Collin County, Texas, "Election Summary Report," 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
McKinney received the following endorsements in 2016:[8]
- McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller
- Celina Mayor Sean Terry
- Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne
- Former Plano Mayor Jeran Akers
- Former Plano Mayor Phil Dyer
- Former McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Puhl for Judge, "Bio," accessed February 22, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Michael Puhl's Responses," February 18, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Puhl for Judge, "Endorsements," accessed February 22, 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
