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Eight Houston-area judges ousted in the Democratic primary `

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5 months ago

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Judge Erica Hughes ousted Engelhart and attorney Amber Boyd-Cora ousted Kelly

Local political and legal experts say judges’ qualifications, experiences and temperaments do not often impact the outcome of judicial races in the Houston area, because there are 50-plus seats on the Harris County ballot, those races typically get little coverage in the news media and many voters do not know much about incumbent judges or their opponents.

Judges Mike Engelhart and Robert Schaffer have served on their civil court benches in Harris County since 2009, and both received high marks in the most recent judicial evaluation poll conducted by the Houston Bar Association. So did Justice Peter Kelly, who has held a place on Texas’ 1st Court of Appeals since 2018.

Justice Peter Kelly (left) lost to attorney, Amber Boyd-Cora

All three lost their Democratic primary elections on Tuesday, and by wide margins. The closest of those races involved Schaffer, who received less than 45% of the vote in his loss against TaKasha Francis.

“It is disappointing that the voters did not value my experience and hard work over the past five years,” Kelly said.

South Texas College of Law professor Charles “Rocky” Rhodes said judges’ qualifications, experiences and temperaments do not often impact the outcome of judicial races in the Houston area, because there are 50-plus seats on the Harris County ballot, those races typically get little coverage in the news media and many voters do not know much about incumbent judges or their opponents. Voters often make their selections based on political party affiliation and, in the case of Democratic primaries, based on a candidate’s name, place on the ballot, gender, ethnicity or even perceived ethnicity inferred from their name, according to Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

Along those lines, the losses Tuesday by Engelhart, Kelly, Schaffer and some other sitting judges reflect a trend that has emerged in the Houston area during the last decade. The electorate in Democrat-leaning Harris County, and particularly those who vote in Democratic primaries, clearly favors women and in many cases African-American women.

Judge Erica Hughes (left) ousted Judge Mike Engelhart

Engelhart, Kelly and Schaffer, who are white men, each lost to a Black woman after filing lawsuits challenging their opponents’ eligibility to appear on the ballot, with Judge Erica Hughes beating Engelhart and attorney Amber Boyd-Cora beating Kelly. Justice Gordon Goodman of the 1st Court of Appeals also lost his Democratic primary to a Black woman, Brendetta Scott.

Longtime civil court Judge R.K. Sandill also lost to a woman, Denise Brown, while fellow criminal court Judge Ramona Franklin and family court Judge Julia Maldonado lost to other women in their primaries. Civil court Judge Brittanye Morris, a Black woman, lost her primary against Tracy D. Good, a Black man.

Eddie Rodriguez, the campaign manager for Brown, said voters tend to have more trust in female judicial candidates, and he expects that to become even more of a factor in the future because the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature made abortion illegal in the state in 2022 after the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision from 1972 was overturned by the United States Supreme Court. And women make up the majority of Democratic primary voters in Harris County, according to Rottinghaus.

“We know that historically, when there are women on the ballot, women voters will vote for them,” Rottinghaus said.

Mary Flood, an attorney, legal media consultant and former legal journalist who works for Androvett Legal Media, said the Democratic primary results illustrate a “tragically flawed” system for electing judges, whom she said have greater control over voters’ lives than they might realize because they can make decisions that impact their finances and family dynamics. There were cases in which “ignorant voters just picked female names,” she said, which could result in less-qualified, less-capable and less-fair judges presiding over Houston-area courts.

System on trial

Flood said she favors the idea of overhauling how judges are selected in Texas. Many other states have judges who are initially appointed by commissions, based on qualifications and merit, and they can subsequently be replaced by voters based on reviews of their performance.

“What happened this week has happened before in Harris County and we’ve lost some of our best jurists and sometimes replaced them with mediocrity or worse,” Flood said. “The problem is not just the ignorant voter picking a gender or familiar name or party affiliation. It’s the way we elect judges in Texas.”

Rodriguez and Kelly said Texas’ current system of electing judges is better than the alternatives, with Rodriguez saying he puts more trust in the voting public than in state lawmakers or Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Hughes also questioned the need and desire to change the system, saying no eyebrows were raised before women and African Americans such as herself started winning judicial elections, with bench seats having historically been controlled predominantly by white men.

As for well-respected and highly-rated judges being ousted by voters, Hughes said that comes with the territory in Texas. She also said she’s grateful the system allows for poorly performing judges to be replaced every few years.

“The majority should make the decision,” Hughes said. “That works in our executive branch and legislative branch. It should work in the judicial branch.

“The bench belongs to the people of Harris County or whatever court jurisdiction you’re in,” she added.

Hughes, who was elected to a Harris County criminal court at law in 2018 and was appointed as a federal immigration judge in 2021, said her qualifications and experience contributed to her win against Engelhart. She also acknowledged that being a Black woman who was listed above him on the ballot helped as well.

Hughes also said she thinks lawsuits filed by Engelhart, Kelly and Schaffer, who challenged their opponents’ eligibility to appear on the primary ballot, backfired against them. Engelhart questioned the authenticity of signatures on Hughes’ petitions to be on the ballot, Kelly claimed Boyd-Cora did not properly cite her experience in her application to be on the ballot, and Schaffer questioned whether Francis had enough recent experience as a practicing attorney to qualify as a judicial candidate.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Boyd-Cora and Hughes. Francis was kept on the ballot by a temporary trial court ruling leading up to Election Day, with a trial set for later this month and the possibility she could be disqualified from appearing on the ballot for the general election in November, although such a decision would not make Schaffer a primary winner by default.

Kelly acknowledged the lawsuits could have had a negative impact on him and the other sitting judges, partly because they are all white men and there was a perception they could have been motivated by race because they were going against Black women.

Engelhart and Schaffer declined interview requests through their mutual campaign manager.

“It was possible that there was a negative backlash based on a misdescription, a misunderstanding, of what the actions were actually about,” Kelly said.

Sandill, who did not respond to an interview request made through his campaign, had a favorable pre-election rating from the Houston Bar Association along with Engelhart, Kelly and Schaffer. Franklin, Goodman, Maldonado and Morris – the latter of whom ousted highly-rated Judge Daryl Moore in a Democratic primary in 2020 – each had unfavorable ratings in the poll, which is based on a survey of member attorneys.

“Local judicial races end up not getting very much voter attention,” said Rhodes of the South Texas College of Law. “As a result, most voters come in and make their decision based on the names without really understanding the background, qualifications, experience and judicial temperaments of the individuals that they’re voting for.”

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8th Annual Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival, Nigerian Exhibit Set to Takeover Downtown Houston

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2 days ago

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July 25, 2024

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Houston, Texas – July 22, 2024 – The 8th annual Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival is set to light up Downtown Houston with unapologetic fashions, rich cultural displays, and lively masquerade performances on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This highly anticipated event celebrates Nigeria’s diverse heritage and contributions to the cultural landscape of Houston.

The festivities will commence with a parade through the streets of Downtown Houston near the Toyota Center, featuring traditional Nigerian attire, music, and dance. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Nigeria’s rich cultural traditions at the festival near Root Memorial Square, enjoying a variety of activities, including traditional dance performances, music, art exhibits, and West African cuisine.

This year brings an exciting addition to the celebration! The Nigerian Exhibit at Houston City Hall is proudly presented in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs under the theme “Feels Like Home”, highlighting the city’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and unity. This exhibit will be open to the public from October 21, 2024 to January 3, 2025, showcasing Nigeria’s history, art, and cultural milestones.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs to bring the Nigerian Exhibit to Houston City Hall,” said Jane Brown, Founder of Culturally Naija. “This exhibit, alongside our annual parade and festival, offers a wonderful opportunity for Houstonians to experience and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.”

Event Details:
Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival:
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Downtown Houston (1400 Clay Street, Houston, Texas 77002

Nigerian Exhibit at Houston City Hall/City Hall Annex:
Date: October 21, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

The Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and preserving Nigerian culture in Houston. The event is organized under the aegis collaboration by Culturally Naija and WeLead, Inc.

For more information about the event, please visit www.nigeriaculturalparade.com or follow the event on social media.

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Celebrate Culture and Central Green’s 11th Birthday at the Nigerian Festival in Katy, Texas

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2 days ago

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July 25, 2024

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Nigeria’s vibrant and diverse culture will be on full display at the upcoming Nigerian Festival in Katy, Texas, on October 19, 2024. Hosted by Willow Fork Drainage District (WWFD), this exciting event promises an evening filled with music, dance, food, art, and activities that celebrate the rich heritage of Nigeria.

The festival, which will take place at Central Green located inside LaCenterra shopping center, is designed to bring together people from all backgrounds to experience the beauty and diversity of Nigerian culture. Attendees can look forward to:
Live Music and Dance Performances: Enjoy traditional and contemporary Nigerian music and dance performances that highlight the country’s artistic diversity.

Authentic Nigerian Cuisine: Taste a variety of delicious Nigerian dishes, from jollof rice and suya to puff-puff and meat pies, prepared by a local restaurant.

Cultural Exhibitions: Explore exhibitions showcasing Nigerian art, fashion, and crafts, providing insights into the country’s history and cultural heritage.

Family-Friendly Activities: Engage in a range of activities for all ages, including face painting, caricature drawings, and traditional games.

Market Place: Shop for unique Nigerian products, including clothing, jewelry, and art pieces, at the festival marketplace.

“We are thrilled to bring the Nigerian Festival to Katy, Texas,” said Yvonne Arceneaux, WWFD Parks General Manager. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the beautiful, rich culture and traditions of Nigeria. We invite everyone to join us for an evening of fun, food, and festivities.”


The Nigerian Festival is open to the public, and admission is free. The event will run from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend.

Central Green offers a variety of year-round activities and events for all to enjoy. Check out the line-up of upcoming events at Central Green on Facebook or visit centralgreenpark.com. For a detailed map of Central Green and its location in LaCenterra, visit laceterra.com.

To learn more about Central Green, please contact Yvonne Arceneaux at yvonne@willowforkparks.com

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Sheila Jackson-Lee, Champion for Liberal Causes Fights till End

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4 days ago

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July 23, 2024

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Despite her diagnosis and ongoing treatment, Jackson-Lee fought tirelessly for her district until her final moments.

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on Houston, the city faces yet another tragedy. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a prominent Texas Democrat known for her advocacy for racial justice and progressive causes during her three decades in the House, passed away on Friday at the age of 74.

Her death was announced in a statement from her family posted on X: “Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas. A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as “Congresswoman” by her constituents in recognition for her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years.”

Her passing may not have come as a shock to many of her constituents. For instance, In June, Jackson-Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a post on X. She expressed confidence in her doctors’ treatment plan and stated, “The road ahead will be challenging, but I have faith that God will give me strength.” Indeed, throughout her career, Lee had been a strong advocate for healthcare access and cancer research, so it was fitting that she approached her own battle with such determination.

Despite her diagnosis and ongoing treatment, Jackson-Lee fought tirelessly for her district until her final moments. Just last week, she made a passionate plea to the federal government, urging the Department of Justice to investigate CenterPoint Energy, a public utility company based in Houston, Texas for their handling of power outages during Hurricane Beryl. In a display of frustration, she took to social media, stating, “Many Houstonians have been without power for a week! Some have ended up in the emergency room due to extreme heat, and tragically, a woman has lost her life. This cannot continue! It is time for a federal investigation into CenterPoint! Accountability is essential!”

She did not stop there. She wrote a formal letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and requested immediate action from the Department of Justice to investigate CenterPoint, emphasizing the need to hold the company accountable for its actions in restoring power to vulnerable residents, businesses, and government entities in Houston and Harris County.

Less than 8 hours after Jackson Lee’s passing, hundreds of condolences from government officials and members of the community have been flooding in. Former Houston Mayor and congressional colleague Sylvester Turner expressed his condolences, and highlighted Jackson-Lee’s impressive career, noting that she worked closely with and advised Presidents of the United States, engaged with global leaders, and was embraced by world-renowned artists. He also emphasized her dedication to serving underprivileged communities, securing billions of federal dollars for her district, and providing comfort to families in times of loss.

Turner further praised Jackson-Lee’s unwavering commitment to her constituents, describing her as a tireless champion for those in need. He concluded by saying, “We can truly say Sheila Jackson Lee gave her all. Rest in peace, my sister.”

Houston Mayor John Whitmire praised Jackson Lee as a devoted public servant and a fierce advocate for her constituents. Despite battling illness, she tirelessly worked for the 18th Congressional District, collaborating with Whitmire on various projects.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo fondly remembered Jackson Lee as a friend, mentor, and relentless champion for her community. Hidalgo admired Jackson Lee’s fearlessness in using her voice to effect change not only for her constituents but for all of Harris County.

Professor Chris Ulasi, Dean of the School of Communication at Texas Southern University, and a close friend of Jackson Lee, hailed her as a true leader and a staunch ally of the university. Ulasi commended Jackson Lee’s unwavering commitment to public service and social justice, recognizing her profound impact on the community and beyond. According to Dr. Ulasi, “As a steadfast supporter of Texas Southern University and the School of Communication, Congresswoman Jackson Lee served as a guiding light for our students, faculty, and staff. Her presence on our campus, empowering TSU commencement speeches, and dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders will forever be treasured and honored.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised her as a proud Texan and a relentless champion for the people of Houston, stating, “Her commitment to public service and dedication to Texas will be remembered for years to come.” Senator Ted Cruz also expressed his condolences, calling Jackson-Lee a friend and colleague, and highlighting her unwavering advocacy for Houston.

Jackson Lee was born in Queens, New York to a comic book artist father and nurse mother. She graduated from Jamaica High School, Yale University, and the University of Virginia School of Law. After moving to Houston with her husband, she became a municipal judge and later served on the Houston City Council from 1989 to 1994. During her time on the council, she worked on passing a safety ordinance regarding guns and promoted expanded summer hours at parks and recreation centers to address gang violence.

In addition to her assertive advocacy in politics, social justice, and equality, Houstonians will always remember Jackson Lee’s presence at virtually every community event. She possesses an intimate knowledge of her 18th Congressional District, akin to the Pope’s familiarity with the Vatican, and is well-acquainted with every community center, leader, and place of worship in the area.

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