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Richard Leach
Richard Leach was a 2016 candidate for the Harris County Civil Court at Law in Texas.[1] He was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Leach and his wife, Gloria Cantu Minnick, sought nominations in the March 1 primary for the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. Leach told The Houston Press that they both filed for the seat because incumbent Clyde Leuchtag was not elected at the ballot. He also told the publication that if Leach and Minnick won their respective primaries, "that, irrespective of who gets the most votes, that court would have a competent judge."[2] Leuchtag told The Houston Press that Leach and Minnick "look like they just want a bench, no matter who's on it."[2]
Education
Leach earned his B.A. and master's degree in public administration from the University of Toledo. He later received his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law. Leach also holds an MBA from Rice University.[3]
Career
Leach is the co-founder of Leach & Minnick, P.C. in Houston. He previously worked as an assistant county attorney for Harris County.[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] George Barnstone defeated Richard Leach in the Harris County Civil Court at Law Democratic primary for Number 1.[1]
| Harris County Civil Court at Law (Number 1), Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 George Barnstone |
62.10% | 88,696 |
| Richard Leach | 37.90% | 54,126 |
| Total Votes | 142,822 | |
| Source: Harris County, Texas, "Democratic Party Cumulative Report-Unofficial," accessed March 2, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
Judges of the county courts are elected in partisan elections by the county they serve and serve four-year terms, with vacancies filled by a vote of the county commissioners.[5]
Qualifications
To serve on a county court, a judge must:[5]
- be at least 25 years old;
- be a resident of his or her respective county for at least two years; and
- have practiced law or served as a judge for at least four years preceding the election.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Houston Press, "LOCAL HUSBAND-WIFE LAW PARTNERS RUNNING FOR SAME COURT IN DIFFERENT PRIMARIES," January 13, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Leach & Minnick, P.C., "Attorney Profiles," accessed February 26, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for Office," accessed January 14, 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
