Sarahjane Swanson
Sarahjane Swanson was a 2016 candidate for the Texas 127th District Court in Texas.[1] Swanson lost in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Biography
Swanson earned her B.S. in liberal arts from the University of Houston. She later received her J.D. from the South Texas College of Law. Swanson is the principal at Swanson Law Firm, PLLC.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Swanson submitted the following statement of political philosophy to Ballotpedia in July 2016:
| “ |
I believe strongly in the separation of powers and that judges should follow the law and not attempt to legislate from the bench. I hope to bring a fair, impartial, respectful, hard-working, and efficient judge to the court where all parties can receive a fair hearing. I have always chosen to serve and work to improve my communities, and want to continue that work on the bench. I have long aspired to serve the public as a judge who can resolve disputes that are unable to be resolved by the parties. I bring to the bench a very unique and extensive set of qualifications not only as a highly rated attorney, but also as an experienced business person who has worked at large and small companies, an effective and experienced manager, a business owner, and community volunteer.[3][4] |
” |
| —Sarahjane Swanson (2016) | ||
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.[5] Sarahjane Swanson ran unopposed in the Texas 127th District Court Republican primary.[1]
| Texas 127th District Court, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Sarahjane Swanson (unopposed) |
100.00% | 200,874 |
| Total Votes | 200,874 | |
| Source: Harris County, Texas, "Republican Party Cumulative Report-Unofficial," accessed March 2, 2016 | ||
Incumbent R.K. Sandill defeated Sarahjane Swanson in the Texas 127th District Court general election.
| Texas 127th District Court, General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | R.K. Sandill Incumbent |
53.12% | 674,008 | |
| Republican | Sarahjane Swanson | 46.88% | 594,791 | |
| Total Votes | 1,268,799 | |||
| Source: Harris County, Texas, "Election Results," accessed December 9, 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.[6]
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."[7]
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;*[8]
- 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.[6]
*While no judge older than 74 may run for office, sitting judges who turn 75 are permitted to continue serving until their term expires.[6]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ Swanson for Judge, "About," accessed July 18, 2016
- ↑ Biographical submission to Ballotpedia on July 13, 2016.
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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
