Houston
Eight Houston-area judges ousted in the Democratic primary `
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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The U-VOL Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday, April 12th, at The Bowery House & Gardens in Katy. This milestone event, themed “Healing Through Unity,” will bring together healthcare professionals, business leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to support life-changing initiatives in maternal health, clean water access, and global health workforce development.
Hosted by Houston journalist and media personality MC Laura O, the event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Sarah E. Gray, Chief Nursing Officer of The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing — the second-largest nursing organization in the world, with approximately 135,000 active members across more than 100 countries. Guests will also enjoy an engaging evening with:
Performance by special guest Makeda Tene, a Grammy-nominated artist, actress, and author
A gourmet dinner, live entertainment, a vendor fair showcasing women founders and leaders of color, and a live auction featuring exclusive items—including a one-of-a-kind live painting created during the event
The presentation of the prestigious DAISY Award for Advancing Health Equity, honoring nurses making a global impact
“This gala is not just a celebration of our past 10 years—it’s a call to action for the future,” said Dr. Faith Adole, Founder and President of U-VOL Foundation. “Healing Through Unity is about bringing people together to create real change. Every dollar raised will directly support our mission to provide healthcare access, maternal health resources, and clean water solutions to communities that need it most.”
The U-VOL Foundation 10th Anniversary Gala is expected to draw leaders in healthcare, philanthropy, business, and advocacy who share a passion for global health equity, and the organization invites all Houstonians to be a part of the experience. Tickets are available now at www.u-volfoundation.org/gala25. Sponsorship opportunities are also open for organizations looking to support this impactful cause.
To keep up with the latest updates on U-Vol Foundations’ 10th Anniversary Gala and the organization’s upcoming project, please visit the official website and follow the organization’s official social media page on Instagram (@UVolFoundationdation).
Founded by Dr. Faith Adole, U-VOL Foundation is a U.S.-based international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities worldwide. Through medical outreach, health education, clean water initiatives, and women’s empowerment, U-VOL is committed to sustainable, community-driven solutions that promote health equity and empower the next generation of global health leaders. For more information, visit www.u-volfoundation.org.
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In the world of global leadership, transformation is the bedrock of progress, impact, results, and legacy. There’s absolutely no amplification for success without including transformational leadership in the complete equation. Are you ready for your ultimate transformation in order to become a more effective leader?
After a stellar debut in Houston last year, Legacy Consults (a global consulting agency with a focus on providing “neuroscience-based solutions to boost team performance and drive organizational success”) will present the second edition of the Transformational Leadership Colloquium on Saturday, March 29th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at RCCG King’s Palace (5371 E. 5th Street) in Katy. The theme for this year’s conference is “Architects of the Future: Execution-Driven Leadership”.
Furthermore, the colloquium aligns with the organization’s ongoing focus on “fostering a borderless community of transformational leaders who don’t just adapt to change, but actively create it.” This year’s colloquium will feature award-winning neurologist, researcher and the colloquium convener, Dr. Niyi Borire, alongside confirmed co-hosts Debola Deji-Kurumni (founder and CEO of Immerse Coaching) and purpose coach, minister and author Dr. Samuel Ekundayo.
Additionally confirmed panelists and workshop facilitators for this year’s colloquium include Dr. Harry Akinola, Bralade Koroye-Emenanjo, Pastor Tunde Badru, and Dana Dawsey. Following the main delegation of the colloquium, an exclusive VIP session will take place at 4:00 PM for individuals seeking deeper, high-level engagement. The private session will grant direct access to some of the most influential minds in leadership.
Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge and guidance to advance their leadership skills through all of the curated presentations, networking activities, and crafted professional workshops. Furthermore, according to the event organizers, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium will help all attendees gain:
- Cutting-edge leadership strategies to navigate complexity and change
- Master-level mentorship skills to develop and empower the next generation
- Vision execution frameworks to turn ideas into lasting institutional change
- Powerful global networks for collaboration, growth, and long-term impact
- Self-awareness and resilience to lead with clarity and confidence
Established in 2023, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium kicked off its inaugural run in Dallas, Texas, and has been featured in other notable cities, including Atlanta, Vancouver, and Regina, Canada. This year, the conference will also take place in Toronto, Canada, on April 5th. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for parking, registration check-in, and seating assignments.
Tickets for this year’s colloquium are now available on the organization’s official website. To learn more about the Transformational Leadership Colloquium and Legacy Consults, please visit the official website online at www.TheTransformativeLeader.org and the official social media page on Instagram (@LegacyConsults).
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The city of Houston was enveloped in sorrow today as news spread of the passing of Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), a freshman congressman who was sworn into office just two months ago. Turner, a beloved figure in Houston, was 70 years old at the time of his passing.
Turner died Tuesday night after suffering a medical emergency. His family said he went to the hospital on Tuesday night in Washington D.C. He was let go but sadly passed away at home at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday because of some health problems he had been dealing with. He was 70 years old and had just taken the oath of office in January. Turner previously faced bone cancer. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., later confirmed Turner’s death in a statement Wednesday, calling the former Houston mayor an “iconic leader” and a “fighter until the end.”
The shocking news was revealed during a city council session in Houston on Wednesday morning, causing unease among those in attendance. The Mayor, John Whitmire, was visibly moved by the news, a rare display of emotion from the typically composed leader. This unexpected turn of events has left everyone in disbelief. In response, Mayor Whitmire urged Houstonians to unite, offer prayers for the family affected, and join in honoring the remarkable public servant involved.
Professor Chris Chinwe Ulasi, former President of the Ndi-Ichie Cultural Association and Cultural Director of IgboFest Houston, expressed that Mayor Sylvester Turner was more than just a leader for Houston. He described Turner as a champion for the arts and culture that bring vibrancy to our city. Ulasi emphasized that during Turner’s time in office, his unwavering support enabled organizations like the Ndi-Ichie Cultural Association, the creators of IgboFest Houston, to flourish. This support helped foster creativity and community connections that will have a lasting impact on future generations.
Ulasi praised Turner’s vision and dedication to Houston’s multicultural landscape, noting that it was transformative. He expressed deep gratitude for the legacy that Turner leaves behind. Ulasi also highlighted Turner’s leadership in leading a delegation of industry leaders and government officials to West Africa towards the end of his second term as Mayor of Houston. Dr. Ulasi said, “Turner led a strong contingent comprising captains of industry and government officials to West Africa towards the end of his second term as Mayor of Houston. Today, we mourn his passing but celebrate the indelible mark he left on our city and its people.”
Kay Elegbede, the International Community Liaison Manager in the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, described Turner as a towering figure who served Houston with pride and united people from all walks of life. “Mayor Whitmire said he and Turner supported each other at their political campaigns, and Turner asked him to speak at his mother’s funeral. They have been friends long before recent politics moved them apart. He will be leading the celebration of the life and achievements of his friend Sylvester Turner just as he honored Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee,” Elegbede said.
Tunde Fasina, owner of the Wazobia African Market, described the mayor as an inspiring mentor, a tireless leader who led with grace and compassion, and a cherished friend. “His guidance and dedication left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed. May God grant his soul eternal rest,” he said.
Turner grew up in a fabulous neighborhood in Houston called Acres Homes. He attended college at the University of Houston and then Harvard Law School. After that, he became a lawyer and started his law firm. In 1988, he got elected to the Texas House and stayed there for almost 30 years. Then, in 2015, he became the mayor of Houston.
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Driving Revenue Growth and Efficiency: The Agenda of Change in African Government Agencies
