There was no shortage of attorneys willing to "settle" for that pay and job security when Republicans expected to win General Elections. Open judicial races were drawing 3-5 candidates for the primary and going into run-offs, as long as they thought they wouldn't have to campaign in the general.

Far fewer people are willing to pay the filing fee and gather signatures for a place on the ballot if they're not expecting an easy General Election win.

Still surprised there aren't more solo atty's willing to run just as a cheap form of advertising, but that's probably one symptom of the overall disfunction at the Harris County Republican Party.

I can only speak from personal experience, but the filing fee and facing your first general election has got little to do with why I and the other attorneys I have talked with ultimately declined to throw our hats in the ring. It's what happens if you win as an R, knowing the next general election you will almost assuredly get tossed from office (regardless of merit) and have to start your career over again.

There's at least one former Harris Co. State District Court judge (R) that occasionally chimes in on the board, maybe Buda can lend his perspective.

I will say this about her, she has been an incredible supporter of high school mock trial competitions in our region for a long time. She does a really good job and has always been very good with the kids. I'm saddened to hear of her difficulties and hope she is okay.

My reasoning still stands, but wish we had a full ballot of R judicial candidates tonight.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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My reasoning still stands, but wish we had a full ballot of R judicial candidates tonight.

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Yep. Would have been a much different courthouse in January. I'm really glad to see some of these judges get the boot, especially Elaine Palmer.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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Fredricka Phillips gone
Ursula Hall gone
Clean sweep of Courts of Appeals races

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Manor and Palmer as well. R took McFarland's spot as well.

Ryan the Temp said:

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On the Harris County criminal district court side of things, here's how it shook out:

12 total criminal district courts were on the ballot
7 seats were uncontested incumbent Democrats
2 incumbent Republicans were re-elected
2 incumbent Democrats lost
1 incumbent Republican lost

This reinforces how big a mistake it was for those 7 races to go uncontested, although I'm a little intrigued by the 487th being the one outlier that switched to Dem.

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More positive news:

All the Appeals Court judges went for the Republicans
9 - Harris County Civil judges flipped to the Republican side.