Mike Parker (Texas)
Mike Parker was a 2016 candidate for the Texas 123rd District Court in Texas.[1] Parker lost in a primary runoff election on May 24, 2016.
Education
Parker earned his B.S. from Texas Tech University in 1975. He later received a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1981.[2]
Career
Parker was an assistant district attorney for Texas District 123 from 1982 to 1985. He later served as the Panola County Judge from 1987 to 1990. Parker is an attorney in private practice.[2]
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.[3] Leann Kay Rafferty defeated Mike Parker in the Texas 123rd District Court Republican primary runoff.
| Texas 123rd District Court, Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Leann Kay Rafferty |
53.82% | 2,285 |
| Mike Parker | 46.18% | 1,961 |
| Total Votes | 4,246 | |
| Source: The Light and Champion, "Primary election 2016 runoff results," May 24, 2016 | ||
| Texas 123rd District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Leann Kay Rafferty |
44.80% | 4,540 |
| Mike Parker |
36.43% | 3,691 |
| Charles Dickerson Incumbent | 18.77% | 1,902 |
| Total Votes | 10,133 | |
| Source: Longview News-Journal, "Incumbent not in runoff for 123rd district judge," 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.[4]
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."[5]
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;*[6]
- 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.[4]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Law Offices of Mike Parker, P.C., "About Me," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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
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
