The following candidates are seeking HLA’s endorsement for the 2024 General Election. We are requesting comments from HLA members, to be considered with each candidate’s application. Comments submitted are ANONYMOUS and will only be reviewed by the JOSC Chair, President & President Elect to determine the necessity to be mentioned in any candidate’s interview. If any submitted commentary is used in an interview, all specifics will be removed to uphold anonymity. Comments will be accepted until Friday, September 6, 2024.

Criminal Courts

Ashley Mayes Guice - 16th County Criminal Court

Hon. Robert Johnson - 177th Criminal District Court (incumbent)

Hon. Stacy Allen Barrow - 487th Criminal District Court

Civil Courts

Hon. Fredericka Phillips - 61st Civil District Court (incumbent)

Hon. Kristen Hawkins - 11th Civil District Court (incumbent)

Hon. Michael Gomez - 129th Civil District Court (incumbent)

Nicole Perdue - 133rd Civil District

Hon. Cheryl Elliott Thornton - 164th Civil District Court (incumbent)

Hon. Ursula Hall - 165th Civil District Court (incumbent)

Hon. Elaine Palmer - 215th Civil District Court (incumbent)

Family Courts

Lillian Henny Alexander - 507th District Court

Fort Bend County Courts

Hon. Tameika Carter - 400th District Court (incumbent)

Probate Courts

Fransheneka "Fran" Watson - Harris County Probate Court 5

Courts of Appeals

Brendetta Scott - 1st Court of Appeals, Place 2

Hon. Sarah Beth Landau - 1st Court of Appeals, Place 6

Hon. Julie Countiss - 1st Court of Appeals, Place 7 (incumbent)

Hon. Richard Hightower - 1st Court of Appeals, Place 8 (incumbent)

Velda Faulkner - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 3

Hon. Chad Bridges - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 3

Amber Boyd-Cora - 1st Court of Appeals, Place 9

Hon. Charles A. Spain - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 4 (incumbent)

Hon. Frances Bourliot - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 5 (incumbent)

Hon. Meagan Hassan - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 6 (incumbent)

Hon. Margaret "Meg" Poissant - 14th Court of Appeals, Place 8 (incumbent)

Criminal Court of Appeals

Holly Taylor - Place 1

Texas Supreme Court

Hon. Christine Weems - Place 4

County & District Attorneys

Hon. Christian D. Menefee - Harris County Attorney (incumbent)

Sean Teare - Harris County District Attorney

Dan Simmons - Harris County District Attorney

CANDIDATES’ CORNER

Thank you for visiting our endorsement platform. As the African American Bar of Houston, we are dedicated to identifying and supporting candidates who align with our mission and core values of advocacy, professionalism, and coalition building. Our goal is to positively impact our community. Our endorsement process, managed by our Judicial Oversight and Selection Committee (JOSC), ensures a thorough and impartial evaluation of each candidate. We look forward to receiving your application and working together to advance our shared goals.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Our endorsements are exclusively focused on judicial, county attorney, and district attorney candidates in Harris county and contiguous counties.

Primary endorsements do not automatically roll over to the next cycle. Candidates must reapply to be considered for endorsement in the General Election.

Endorsement Timeline

  • Applications open August 1, 2024.

  • Completed applications must be received by 11:59 p.m., August 30, 2024, to be considered. No exceptions will be made.

  • After submission, receipt will be confirmed, and the application will proceed to the JOSC.

  • Candidates may schedule their interviews after submission of their application.

  • Interviews will be conducted virtually on September 7-8, 2024, and September 14-15, 2024.

  • Endorsements will be announced via our website and social media on September 23, 2024.

  • Endorsed candidates’ information will be featured on push cards, which HLA will actively distribute at various community events leading up to the General Election on November 5, 2024.

Requirements

  • ONE PDF file encompassing:

    • Completed endorsement application form (available for download below), and

    • Biography (500 words or less) with a current headshot.

APPLICATION IS CLOSED.

IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES!

Oct 7th – Last day to register to vote

Oct 21st – First day of early voting

Oct 25th – Last day for early voting

Nov 5th  – General election day

JOSC Meetings are every first Wednesday of the month. Join the Committee today!

For any questions or concerns, please email our Chair, Jasmine O. Yates, at josc@houstonlawyersassociation.org!