Joshua Verde
Joshua Verde was a 2016 candidate for the Texas 215th District Court in Texas.[1] He was defeated in the primary election on March 1, 2016.
Career
Verde worked as general counsel for an energy company in Houston prior to opening his law practice.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Verde's campaign website listed the following themes for the 2016 campaign:
| “ |
I have always been drawn to public service. Serving as judge in the 215th civil district court will allow me to bring my community commitment to the bench. While in law school, I had the opportunity to clerk in another district court, the 165th. This gave me insight into the inner workings of the district courts from the initial filing of suits through trial, judgment and even appeal. Litigation is a very complicated and often lengthy process on which the courts have a very significant impact. An organized court that is focused on the needs of litigants, their attorneys, and the jurors can make a huge difference in both the cost and burden of litigation. I am committed to bringing that focus to the 215th district court. If I am elected, those who appear before court will be treated with respect, given ample time to put on their cases, and will be assured of unbiased, fair, and prompt rulings that follow the law. I am also very interested in maintaining a modern court which will involve working closely with the district clerk to ensure the best use of technology in the courtroom. [3] |
” |
| —Joshua Verde (2016), [2] | ||
Elections
2016
| Texas 215th District Court, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Elaine Palmer Incumbent |
43.13% | 66,494 |
| JoAnne Storey |
27.49% | 42,379 |
| Joshua Verde | 20.07% | 30,942 |
| Jonathan C.C. Day | 9.31% | 14,361 |
| Total Votes | 154,176 | |
| Source: Harris County, Texas, "Democratic Party Cumulative Report-Unofficial," 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.[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]
Endorsements
2016
Verde received the following endorsements ahead of the Democratic primary:[7]
- Houston GLBT Political Caucus
- Houston Stonewall Young Democrats
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Elect Joshua A. Verde, "About Josh," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Off the Kuff, "2016 Election," accessed February 19, 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
