The endorsement of the Hays Young Dems would be very meaningful to my campaign and to me personally because the Young Dems believe in and advocate for the things that are important to me, such as supporting access to justice and access to the courts for all people, equity and accountability, and a justice system that serves all people equally.

I currently serve as a justice on the Third Court of Appeals, where I have authored and reviewed hundreds of opinions, and I have prior judicial experience as an administrative law judge. I have handled thousands of matters in court as a judge, a prosecutor, and in private practice. I bring tremendous legal experience to this seat, but I also bring a lived understanding experienced by many everyday Texans who come before the courts. I am Board Certified as a TBLS Juvenile Law Specialist through the State Bar of Texas and a Child Welfare Law Specialist through the National Association of Counsel for Children. I am the only woman out of over 108,000 attorneys in Texas to earn this dual distinction. Importantly, the role of Chief Justice also involves the administration of the Supreme Court and of all of the courts in Texas. I have a background in business, and I have experience leading large organizations and as in-house counsel for a government department with nearly 500 employees. I have also worked with statewide advocacy groups to enact legislation to improve the lives of children and families.

As the first openly gay woman to serve as an appellate justice in Texas, rescinding the TXSC October 24, 2025 order allowing judges to refrain from performing civil weddings based on a deeply-held religious belief would be a top priority for me. These orders serve to erase LGBTQ+ and other marginalized voices and to dismantle decades of civil rights work. Additional priorities include improving the balance of cases assigned to appellate courts throughout the state and increasing access to justice. With about 15% of Texans living below the federal poverty line and 25% representing themselves in family cases, and the physical and legal obstacles many people with disabilities face, access to justice is critical. I have been recognized and awarded for my work helping our most vulnerable populations have access to and be successful in the court system, and I would continue to do so if elected. I have experience working with legislators to help draft and pass legislation to benefit children and families in Texas and will use this experience to expand access to justice initiatives throughout the state.

Tom Petty “I Won’t Back Down”

For me, judicial leadership means applying the law faithfully and impartially, without political pressure, especially at a time when our branches of government are eroding and our rule of law is under attack. But it also means recognizing that how courts operate affects real people’s lives, especially those who already feel marginalized or unheard. Judges have a responsibility to ensure that the justice system is not only legally sound, but accessible and transparent to promote public confidence.

Equal justice under the law means that every person who enters a courtroom is treated with fairness, dignity, and impartiality — regardless of income, race, gender, immigration status, or whether they can afford an attorney. As a judge, this means having just outcomes and an awareness of how people experience the court process itself and having cultural competence.

Judges have a responsibility to ensure careful, meaningful consideration of ability to pay when imposing fines, fees, or bond conditions, and to use available alternatives when appropriate. The Chief Justice is uniquely positioned to promote and strengthen access to justice initiatives, and I intend to do that, especially at a time when indigent defense program funding has been severely cut.