What goals do you have in mind, if you are elected, and to which you want to be measured against in the coming term?

I am seeking this bench so that I may serve the public and return to the public the benefits our Creator has bestowed upon me.   I want to be measured by the respect I earn by being a fair, independent and impartial judge who efficiently moves cases through the court.  I intend to survey my juries and the bar to find out how I can continuously improve what I do.

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

1.  Resume (26 years as a lawyer serving the business community, judicial law clerk for two judges, visiting professor of law) 2.  Respect (for the Texas and U.S. Constitutions, for litigants and for their attorney representatives) 3.  Resolve  -- a determination to be an independent, fair and efficient  in the administration of conservative constitutional justice

Please describe what you believe are the most significant issues in this race and why.

1.  What type of judge do we need in the 410th?  Should the court be specialized?  
2.  What role should the court play in the oversight of the County Auditor?
3.  Do we need another trial lawyer on the bench, or should we have someone who actually has a business background and who actually understands the U.S. and Texas Constitutions?

These will become the significant issues as I intend to make them, at every turn, the issues we are discussing

Are the United States and Texas constitutions living documents?  Please answer in the context of Progressivism versus Originalism.   

No, the Constitutions are not living documents.   They are to be interpreted based upon the intent of the Framers, to the extent that can be determined from consulting the Federalist papers and other sources of information.  Unfortunately, the courts have not shared my originalist views.

Please describe the best way for the average voter to determine which candidate for this office is best.

In face to face conversations, in which the voter can assess the judge’s temperament and intellectual capabilities. 

How many days off per year should the officeholder of this position take to learn (seminars & workshops) or teach (give educational or motivational talks) or network with other county officials?

Don’t know, but the answer is whatever is necessary for the Judge to be able to do an efficient and fair job.

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

No public figure is endorsing me.

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

Until I get into the role, I don’t have sufficient data to answer this question. 

How will you improve the transparency and access to financial and other records for the public?

We can discuss at the vetting session my role as an advisor to clients in the public records/open meetings area.  Otherwise, I decline to answer.

To what extent do you believe the state or federal government should be able to obtain court orders directing parents to do things for their children that the parent does not believe should be done?

Decline to answer

Do parents have the right to block grandparent "rights" or doctor intervention? Why/not?

Decline to answer

Where do you perceive the greatest corruption exists in Montgomery county courts?

Decline to answer

How much of a problem is county hiring based on the "good old boy" / "loyalty to leadership" instead of one's ability to efficiently and ethically perform their tasks and functions? and what can realistically be done about it?

The district judges have no control over this practice, except with respect to the hiring of the county auditor.  I intend to make oversight of the county auditor an important part of the campaign.

What can you do in your court to protect citizens from harm by illegal aliens?

Decline to answer

Do the taxpayers have a responsibility to provide an interpreter for non-English speaking illegals?  As well, do taxpayers have-to-have one available during courtroom hours just in case someone might need their services?

Decline to answer

What is the job of a judge?   What is your judicial philosophy?

The job of a district judge is to adjudicate not litigate and to provide a forum for the adjudication of disputes in the criminal, civil and family law areas -- one that allows for the fair and impartial administration of justice.   

I am an original meaning/strict constructionist/constitutional conservative and defender of private property rights.  I also believe that history has meaningful lessons for the present and future generations that cannot be disregarded at whim by judges acting on their own accord.  This is my philosophy because I fervently believe that Madison and many of the other framers intended that the judiciary be independent guardians of the natural rights and liberties embodied in the Constitution.  In order to fulfill that role, the judiciary needs to follow the literal dictates of the Constitution.  When the standard by which a matter is judged to be constitutional is not firm in its foundation, then the liberties of the people will not survive the interpretations of those who believe that the Constitution is simply a set of guidelines to permit an interpretation that represents the current times.

What is the proper role of a lawyer?

The proper role of a lawyer is spelled out in the ethics rules governing our profession.  Simply, the role of a lawyer is to zealously represent the interests of his client within the bounds of the law and the code of ethics.

Among the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, which one do you respect the most, and why? Which one do you respect the least, and why?

Justice Scalia and Justice Alito are tied for my most respect.  Justice Scalia for being both a textualist and a Constitutional Scholar; Justice Alito for his commitment to liberty.

I don’t have an answer for the rest the question.

What is the single most important action the county needs to do to keep this a great community to live in?

Decline to answer

Please explain your view of recidivism and how it affects the sentences you given

Decline to answer

Should the state license barbers?  Lawyers? Why or why not?

Decline to answer

What carries the greatest influence on your ruling: case law, the Constitution, or other?

The Constitutions of the State of Texas and the United States, and the plain language of a statute at issue.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election?

No.

To what extent would you need to recuse yourself from cases because of conflicts of interest?

I have few clients in this county who would likely appear before this court.  So, there should be little if any need to recuse myself.