Judge William Bill McLeod was recently listed on a Harris County Democratic Party flyer promoting their 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil as a candidate running for the Texas Supreme Court in a race that was scheduled to take place during the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election cycle in Texas. He also made a premature public statement via social media stating the same declaration. So, his untimely public declarations to run for the Texas Supreme Court in 2020 was unquestionably a clear and direct violation of Article 16, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution. So, on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 10:00 am we will learn whether County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Commissioners will appoint him as a special holdover to the Harris County Civil Court at Law #4 bench until a special election can be held to fill out the remainder of the term he unwittingly resigned from when he announced his bid for higher office way too soon. You can click here to watch the live stream if you can't attend the Commissioners Court Meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.
Will County Judge Lina Hidalgo and County Commissioners Honor the Will of Harris County Voters Whereas Judge William “Bill” McLeod’s Unintended Resignation is Concerned?
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
The situation involving Judge William "Bill" McLeod shouldn't be about political posturing next week at the Commissioner's Court Meeting. On Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10:00 am, County Judge Lina Hidalgo (a Democrat), Commissioner Rodney Ellis (a Democrat), County Commissioner Adrian Garcia (a Democrat), Commissioner Steve Radack (a Republican), and Commissioner R. Jack Cagle (a Republican) will have a very tough decision to make whereas the fate of the honorable and beloved Judge William “Bill” McLeod is concerned. Yes, they have the power to appoint someone new to take the bench Judge William “Bill” McLeod resigned from by accident. Yes, Judge William “Bill” McLeod screwed up when he prematurely announced his run for higher office. Yes, he should be held accountable. But should his blunder in terms of the timing of his announcement cost him his Harris County Civil Court at Law #4 bench when it’s clear that he was not trying to resign?
THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION IS UNMISTAKINGLY CLEAR ON THIS MATTER
It’s a shame that Judge William “Bill” McLeod, a Democrat, unknowingly triggered his own resignation by declaring his intention to run for higher office in the 2020 Presidential Election. How? Well, Article 16, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution states that if certain office holders become a candidate, in any General, Special or Primary Election, for any office of profit or trust under the laws of this State or the United States other than the office then held by the candidate, at any time when the unexpired term of the office then held shall exceed one year and 30 days, such announcement or such candidacy shall constitute an “AUTOMATIC RESIGNATION” of the office then held by the candidate, and the vacancy thereby created shall be filled pursuant to law in the same manner as other vacancies for such offices are filled.
WHAT CURRENT OFFICE HOLDERS DOES ARTICLE 16, SECTION 65 OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION APPLY TO?
In case you don’t already know, Article 16, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution applies to any “ELECTED OFFICIAL” currently serving as a District Clerk; County Clerk; County Judge; Judge of a County Court at Law, Judge of a County Criminal Court, Judge of a County Probate Court, Judge of a County Domestic Relations Court; County Treasurer; Criminal District Attorney; County Surveyor; County Commissioner; Justices of the Peace; Sheriff; Assessors/Collectors of Taxes; District Attorney; County Attorney; Public Weigher; or County Constable in the State of Texas.
HERE ARE A FEW OF JUDGE WILLIAM "BILL" MCLEOD'S SUCCESSES THROUGH HIS FIRST 90 DAYS
In just a few short months on the bench, Judge William “Bill” Mcleod resolved more than 1400 (fourteen hundred) cases that sat dormant on the County Civil Court at Law #4 docket prior to him taking office. Also, according to Judge William “Bill” McLeod, these 1400 cases did not even have set dates on the court’s docket when he officially took the bench back on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
When Judge William “Bill” McLeod took the bench back on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, Harris County Civil Court at Law #4 had more unsettled cases on the docket than any of the other three County Civil Courts at Law according to Judge William “Bill” McLeod. However, according to Judge McLeod, as of March 29, 2019, his court had the lowest number of cases on the docket – which is a huge accomplishment.
Also, according to Judge William “Bill” McLeod, he has conducted more jury trials in his first 3 months of service than any of the other Harris County Civil Court at Law Judges currently serving on the bench right now.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
For what it’s worth, I really hope County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and the County Commissioners find it within themselves to honor the will of Harris County voters. Sure, Judge William “Bill” McLeod violated Article 16, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution when he announced his intent to run for higher office prematurely. However, back on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, over 647.502 voters went to the polls in Harris County, Texas and cast their ballot for William “Bill” McLeod over his Republican opponent – who only received 532,762 votes. So, should Judge William “Bill” McLeod go unpunished for not fully understanding that he should have waited until perhaps sometime later this year before making his public declaration to run for a position on the Texas Supreme Court? Nope! But make no mistake about it, he’s being punished right now! Judge William “Bill” McLeod is being publicly humiliated. He’s suffered enough in my opinion. He appears to be contrite and humbled by this experience. And above that, even if he’s appointed as a placeholder on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, by County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the County Commissioners, he’s still going to have to run for the County Civil Court at Law #4 bench in a special election next year. And if he wins the special election to fill out the remainder of his term, he must then turn right back around and run for the County Civil Court at Law #4 bench again in the 2022 Midterm Election. So, in my opinion, Judge William “Bill” McLeod has suffered tremendously already! And to this end, let’s pray that County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the County Commissioners find it within themselves to honor the “WILL OF THE VOTERS” when they vote on this matter on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Because after all, being "ELECTED OFFICIALS" themselves, several of them will be relying on many of the same voters who flocked to the polls to elect William “Bill” McLeod when their name is on the ballot in 2020. God bless!
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PUBLISHER/REPORTER
Aubrey R. Taylor is the President/CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Newspaper©. Taylor has more than 28-years of experience in marketing branding, reporting, public relations and political consulting. He’s assisted in branding Republican and Democratic candidates in statewide elections and in local municipalities throughout the State of Texas. Over the years, he’s also assisted in branding and marketing (through his various publications) such corporations and institutions as Shell Oil, The City of Houston, Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Chevron, Waste Management, Nationwide Insurance, Momentum Jaguar/BMW, Channel 11, Channel 13, State Farm Insurance, and Allstate Insurance to name a few. But, please note that the thoughts expressed by Aubrey R. Taylor do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of any Houston Business Connections Newspaper© advertisers, supporters, sponsors, or readers. You can click here to view a recent edition of Houston Business Connections Newspaper© online!
