Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine (right) and other members of the Texas Supreme Court played a significant role in helping Judge Erica Hughes (far left), Judge TaKasha Francis (top center), and Judge Lillian Henny Alexander win the 151st Civil District Court bench, the 152nd Civil District Court bench, and the 507th Family District Court bench by ruling that they were qualified to run and should be allowed to remain on the 2024 Democratic Party Primary ballot. A STRONG WOMAN... State Rep. Jolanda Jones (D-House District 147) stood stronger than any other local "ELECTED OFFICIAL" when these African American females came under attack from within their own party.
Constable Herschel Smith is the presiding Constable for Precinct 3 in Waller County, Texas. Constable Herschel Smith and his family traveled to the State Capital in Austin, Texas, for Constable Smith's "SWEARING-IN CEREMONY," presided over by Republican Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine on New Year's Day.
Judge Erica Hughes (Democrat) is the new presiding judge for the 151st Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas. If you remember, this was the bench held by Judge Mike Engelhart (Democrat) until Erica Hughes ran against him on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, and defeated him by 33,504 in the 2024 Democratic Party Primary. Comparatively speaking, Erica Hughes received 93,468 votes, 60.92%, and Mike Engelhart received 59,964 votes, 39.08%. Republicans gave Mike Engelhart cover by not challenging his bench and, in the end, allowed Erica Hughes to enjoy a strait pathway to victory unopposed after she dispatched Engelhart on Super Tuesday in the 2024 Democrat Party primary.
Judge TaKasha Francis (Democrat) is the new presiding judge for the 152nd Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas. If you remember, this was the bench held by Judge Robert K. Schaffer (Democrat) until Takasha Francis ran against him on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, and defeated him by 16,528 in the 2024 Democratic Party Primary. Comparatively speaking, TaKasha Francis received 84,080 votes, 55.45%, and Robert K. Schaffer received 67,552 votes, 44.55%. Republicans gave Judge Robert K. Schaffer cover by not challenging his bench and, in the end, allowed TaKasha Francis to enjoy a strait pathway to victory unopposed after she dispatched Schaffer on Super Tuesday in the 2024 Democrat Party primary.
Judge Lillian Henny Alexander (Democrat) is the new presiding judge for the 507th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas. Lillian Henny Alexander campaigns harder than almost everyone else heading into the Democratic Party Primary on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Her hard work paid off as she whipped the robe off Judge Julia Maldonado, the Democratic incumbent, by 26,649 votes. Comparatively speaking, Lillian Henny Alexander received 88,457 votes, 58.87%, and Julia Maldonado received 61,808 votes, 41.14%. However, because Judge Julia Maldonado was such a lousy judge, Republicans ran Dan Lemkuil in the 507th Family District Court race. Still, in the Presidential Election, Lillian Henny Alexander beat him by 40,742 votes on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Aubrey R. Taylor Communications publishes Houston Business Connections Newspaper© to inform, empower, and mobilize our “OPEN-MINDED READERS” and assist them in making informed voting decisions. Aubrey R. Taylor is one of the top investigative reporters in the southwest region of the United States of America.
Blacks Are Under Siege in Texas; Republicans Are Not the Problem; Black Voters Must Wake Up and Get Organized
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
Decades ago, many different African American media titans used their time, talent, and treasure to make sure that the truth got out about Black people without fear of anyone. John Harold Johnson, the owner of the Johnson Publishing Company and publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines, and Earl Graves Sr., the founder of Black Enterprise Magazine, are two men who held things down for African Americans on the national stage back in the day.
Heading into the 2026 Midterms in Texas and the 2028 Presidential Election, I plan to hold things down and empower “MY PEOPLE” while simultaneously mobilizing African American men as we act as free agents looking for an opportunity to play ball in the big leagues of American politics.
In the 2024 Presidential Election, 21% of Black men voted for President Donald Trump to reclaim the White House, even after getting brandished a “CONVICTED FELON” with 34 Felony convictions.
Instead of hurting Trump, his “FELONY CONVICTIONS” made him more relatable to many African American men who personally experienced or know someone who has experienced unfair treatment at the hands of racist “ROGUE PROSECUTORS” who abuse their power.
It’s not a coincidence that 60% of the people the Innocence Project has helped to get freed from prison and exonerated after being “WRONGFULLY CONVICTED” for crimes they did not commit since 1992 are Black men.
Truth be told, I don’t know anyone with 34 Felony convictions, but Gary Wade, a hardened criminal who tried to intimidate and bully me recently, has one of the most extended rap sheets I’ve ever seen.
And to make matters worse, this Gary Wade fella, besides being a career thief, violent criminal, and fraudster, could also be a crackhead, considering the “DOPE FIEND MOVE” he pulled inside that Home Depot Store a few years ago. But I’m not here to rag on Gary Wade with his “ROGUISH A$$” today.
“CHANGE IS COMING.”
During his lifetime, Clifton Frederick “C.F.” Richardson, Sr., the founder of the Houston Defender Newspaper and Houston Informer, was a top voice on the local front in Harris County, Texas. Julius P. Carter founded the Forward Times Newspaper to unite Black Houston and help African Americans overcome obstacles aimed at holding Black people back in mental shackles as second-class citizens.
I am willing to bet my bottom dollar that John Harold Johnson, C.F. Richardson, Sr., Julius P. Carter, and Earl Graves Sr. are rolling over in their graves. Black media is currently on the brink of extinction, just like Black politicians will be if they don’t organize, mobilize, and become more politically engaged.
What the Houston Defender, Houston Forward Times, and Houston Informer have become today is embarrassing. These supposed historic Black Newspapers aren’t doing anything but sitting around and waiting for corporate advertisements to be fed to them weekly.
Many of their stories are little more than rewrites from news already published in mainstream White newspapers and regurgitated to “THE BLACK COMMUNITY” under the guise of news we can use.
Once national corporations stop supporting these supposed Black newspapers, their revenue streams are going to dry up, and they’re going to die – just like Dinosaurs did after ruling the earth between 252 and 66 million years ago.
Make no mistake: the only constant in this dog-eat-dog “POLITICAL WORLD” is CHANGE. And anything that becomes stagnant, as Black newspapers have, dies. That said, the African American vote is the lifeblood of American Democracy. As we advance into the 2026 Midterm Election cycle – it’s time to get some “ACT-RIGHT” in Texas and beyond.
“UNACCEPTABLE.”
Several Black women were challenged by their “WHITE MALE DEMOCRAT” opponents to the Texas Supreme Court back during the 2024 Democratic Party Primary, claiming that they were unqualified and not eligible to run for judicial benches for a multitude of reasons.
The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other civil rights groups had to step in to address the racially divisive matter.
Attorney Lillian Henny Alexander and TaKasha Frances were local candidates running for the 507th Family District Court and 152nd Civil District Court and got targeted and challenged twice. At the same time, Amber Boyd-Cora, Brendetta Scott, and Federal Judge Erica Hughes had their eligibility challenged and found themselves having to rely upon a favorable Texas Supreme Court ruling to remain on the 2024 Democratic Party Primary ballot – that’s a fact.
“It’s offensive to me. So, Democratic Party, I’m challenging you to stop just asking people to vote for you and support Black women,” stated State Rep. Jolanda Jones at a press conference held at the local branch of the NAACP to address the unfair targeting of Black women.
State Rep. Jones explained, “I think it’s really interesting that they’re not going after other people as Democrats.”
“There’s going to be other elections. We need to make sure this is not repeated,” proclaimed Amber Boyd-Cora, who won her Democratic Party Primary but lost her bid for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 9, in the General Election.
Well, another pivotal election is coming to Texas in 2026, and there are (26) twenty-six African American incumbent judges up for re-election in Harris County, Texas – which is historic.
Never before, in any state, county, or anywhere in America, has there been (26) twenty-six incumbent African American “JUDICIAL NOMINEES” running for office simultaneously.
“NOT THE PROBLEM.”
The all-Republican Texas Supreme Court saved the day for Black female candidates and officeholders in 2024; that’s a fact. If it were not for Texas Supreme Court Justices like Justice John Devine and his colleagues ruling in favor of the “BLACK DEMOCRATIC WOMEN,” we would not be calling Erica Hughes, TaKasha Frances, and Lillian Henny Alexander members of the judiciary today.
I am grateful for the brave, courageous Texas Supreme Court Justices who “STOOD STRONG” and defended the rights of African American females during the 2024 Democratic Party Primary in Texas.
I’m even more proud of one Texas Supreme Court Justice in particular: Justice John Devine stood firm against his critics after commenting at a conservative event about voter fraud.
Justice John Devine’s comments went viral, with his critics claiming that he was impartial after he stated, “Do you really think the Democrats are going to roll over and let Trump be president again?”
“You think they’re just going to go away, all of a sudden, and find Jesus, and [there will] be an honest election? I don’t think so,” proclaimed Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine at a 2023 Texas Tea Party Republican Women’s Event, where he served as the keynote speaker.
The renewed focus on “ELECTION FRAUD” by Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine, Gov. Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Secretary of State Janes Nelson worked perfectly.
After it was all said and done, we ended up having a clean “PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION” in Harris County under the direction of County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth.
In my honest assessment, Teneshia Hudspeth ran one of the cleanest elections I’ve seen since Stan Stanart, a Republican, served as the Harris County Clerk from 2010 to 2018.
“A NEW DAY.”
It’s a new day in Texas. And Justice John Devine is good in my book. That said, it was uplifting to see a Texas Supreme Court Justice (John Devine), a Republican, and a Democrat County Constable (Herschel Smith) from Waller County, Texas, embrace one another as brothers from different mothers, and “FELLOW BELIEVERS” in the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, on New Year’s Day at the investiture ceremony for Constable Herschel Smith at the Texas Supreme Court, in Austin, Texas.
What am I getting at? I’m glad you asked. I’m sick and tired of watching public officials who dare to work across “POLITICAL PARTY LINES” get attacked by (DINOs) “Democrats in Name Only” and (RINOs) “Republicans in Name Only,” who have unified their efforts and joined forces against my people.
The brand of divisive politics gripping America these days will ultimately leave us broken and divided as a nation if our elected leaders don’t grow a backbone and find common ground when possible. As a body of people, “THE BLACK COMMUNITY” is being underserved, overtaxed, and pushed toward the brink of becoming politically irrelevant if things don’t change.
African Americans are about to be left without any leverage or political power if a shift in our “PATTERNS OF THINKING” from a political perspective does not occur very soon.
Votes are no different from commodities or essential goods bought and sold on the U.S. Stock Exchange daily; this is the real reason why Vice President Kamala Harris paid Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in two separate donations of $250K for a total of $500,000.00 to conduct a friendly interview in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
Selling access to Black congregations is nothing new. But with new laws and many Black pastors setting up non-profits, the rules to “SELLING THE BLACK VOTE” are changing at a rapid pace.
“NEW VISIONARIES.”
During the Reconstruction era, 44 African Americans served in the Texas legislature as Republicans; today, we have less than half that number serving as Democrats, which is problematic. Still, as a group, African Americans are continuing to play the decades-old game of “follow the leader,” which is doing nothing but giving the Black Community piss-poor, retreaded political leaders stuck in their ways and out of touch with the rest of us.
Waller County Precinct 3 Constable Herschel Smith is old-school. But Constable Smith is a new kind of leader – a man of courage. Constable Smith is a man I love, respect, and admire who happens to carry a badge and gun. I don’t usually trust the police – but I trust Constable Smith with my life because I have known him since I was 16. Constable Smith started his career in law enforcement over three decades ago. But he’s not a retreaded politician – but a visionary with a heart for future generations.
He also knows what injustice, racial profiling, and dirty law enforcement officers look and smell like. He has spent the last few decades on the frontlines fighting for and standing with Prairie View A&M University students in their fight against voter suppression and disenfranchisement.
In short, Constable Herschel Smith has the heart of an activist. Embedded deep with his genetic code is the DNA of a champion, a voice for the voiceless – an advocate for our young people.
“BROTHERLY LOVE.”
I’ve never met Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine, but I have paid close attention to his rulings and many of the rulings issued by the Texas Supreme Court in recent years. I can see that “OUR TEXAS SUPREME COURT” justices are courageous men and women who love the LORD.
We’ve just lost Chief Justice Nathan Hecht due to his retirement, but Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Justice Jimmy Blacklock to replace Justice Hecht, which was a good move.
In case you were unaware, our Texas Supreme Court is the last place for civil matters in Texas to get resolved. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal cases. Thus, a fair and impartial Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are supposed to counter what’s happening in Texas’s lower District and County Courts.
I get an uneasy feeling when I hear specific phrases. The reason I cringe when I hear people talk about electing “TOUGH ON CRIME JUDGES” is because I found out what it feels like to stand in front of a “RACIST JUDGE” who does not value the lives of young Black men many decades ago.
Listen. African American men are committing crimes, but Black men are not the only people committing crimes in America. Don’t get me wrong. Anyone who commits a crime needs to pay their debt to society. However, broken homes, undiagnosed mental illness, a lack of positive role models, and a sense of helplessness and hopelessness are contributing factors to the ongoing criminal activities we’re seeing unfolding in urban communities all across America.
What’s my point? In my opinion, we must deal with the root of the problem to eradicate it. Locking people up and throwing away the key does not make us more safe. In our approach, we’re reacting to crimes after the commission of the crime rather than deterring people from committing crimes in the first place – that’s backward.
As a law-abiding society, we must be careful and not have a knee-jerk reaction to these rising crime rates. If we start elevating people with “RACIST DISPOSITIONS” into powerful “ELECTED POSITIONS” like a judgeship under the guise of electing “TOUGH ON CRIME JUDGES,” we are setting ourselves up for injustices to happen and civil rights violations to increase.
Let’s not play games with one another. The modern-day prison system is an offspring of the slave trade and treated as much – that’s a fact.
Section One of the 14th Amendment to our United States Constitution states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
The 14th Amendment is acceptable. However, the 13th Amendment is the one that gives way to our “CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,” getting disproportionately used against African American men.
If you are not familiar with what I’m talking about, “The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
“FIGHTING CRIME.”
To get serious about fighting crime, the first thing that we need to do is stop allowing hardened criminals and repeat offenders the luxury of committing a crime and getting straight out of jail.
Violent criminals should not have multiple bonds; if a person allegedly commits a violent crime and goes back out onto the streets and allegedly commits another violent crime, they should remain locked up behind bars until their court date – no excuses – no new opportunity to commit crimes.
Judges who continue to grant violent criminals bond after bond should be primaried and voted out of office at the first possible opportunity we have. We do not need to elect any person to a judicial bench in Texas who is afraid to lock people up or enforce our laws – including sentencing people to death.
To decrease crime in cities across Texas in particular and America in general, all we need to do is enforce our laws and hold our “ELECTED LEADERS” accountable who are putting our lives at risk – it’s that simple.
We must also take a tough stance against repeat violent offenders who don’t obey our laws. We should also ensure that our judiciary reflects the communities they serve to ensure that forcing citizens into plea deals for crimes they did not commit is discontinued.
“WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.”
Did you know that nearly 60% of the people that the Innocence Project has helped to free or exonerate since 1992 are Black men? Yes, you heard me right: 60% are Black men. What does this mean?
Well, the only way to explain how 60% of Black men are getting “WRONGFULLY CONVICTED” boils down to the fact that we’re dealing with a broken system that’s biased against Black men.
“This demographic rate is consistent with research by the National Registry of Exonerations showing that more than half of the 3,300 people who were exonerated between 1989 and 2022 are Black, despite the fact that Black people account for just 13.6% of the U.S. population. Indeed, a 2022 report from the registry found that innocent Black people were seven times more likely to be wrongly convicted of murder than innocent white people. The racial disproportionality in wrongful conviction cases reflects persistent biases in the criminal legal system,” states the Innocence Project’s website.
According to the Innocence Project, “Police investigatory practices such as deception in interrogations, threats to witnesses and the accused, and tainted witness identification are drivers of racial disparities in wrongful convictions.”
“The cases of Black people exonerated from murder convictions are 50% more likely to involve police misconduct than those of white people exonerated from murder convictions. Intentionally suggestive witness identifications occur twice as frequently in the cases of Black and Latinx exonerees as they do in the cases of white exonerees,” their website goes on to state.
The Innocence Project also discovered, “Even without intentional misconduct tainting an identification, a cross-racial eyewitness identification is particularly unreliable. People are more likely to misidentify a person of a different race, and white people are particularly bad at recognizing people who are not white. Mistaken cross-racial identifications play a large role in sexual assault cases where Black men convicted of raping white women are six times more likely to be innocent than white men convicted of raping white women.”
“Pretrial decisions by courts and prosecutors also greatly impact the likelihood of wrongful convictions for Black and brown people. Black and Latinx people accused of crimes are more likely to be detained pretrial, putting their jobs, housing, and families at risk. When prosecutors offer a plea bargain that would allow a person immediate release from pretrial detention, there is a strong incentive for an innocent person to agree to plead guilty and accept responsibility for a crime they didn’t commit. Nearly 25% of those exonerated since 1989 pled guilty, and nearly 75% of this number are Black and brown people.”
“A NEW COALITION.”
In a perfect world, ethnicity and race should not have any bearing on anything, but we’re not living in an ideal world, nor are we dealing with perfect people. Race relations in America have sunken to an all-time low in many regards.
There’s nothing wrong with “BLACK/BROWN COALITIONS,” that’s fine. But to survive, America is going to have to get back to the day when African Americans formed alliances with “WHITE PEOPLE” to accomplish our goals and objectives – to be more specific, White males.
If it were not for White males and females fighting alongside us, “BLACK PEOPLE” would still be enslaved – that’s a fact.
When I hear the term “Make America Great Again,” I hear something different than most people. What I hear is the rallying cry of people thirsting for America to return to its Christian heritage and foundation – minus the slavery part.
I love the scripture in the Holy Bible, Psalms 33:12, which states, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”
Instead of identifying “REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS,” in this day and age, we should be trying to identify people on ballots who share our spiritual and moral beliefs – duly qualified people who love our constitution, are brave, courageous, law-abiding, and believe in God.
“CLOSING THOUGHTS.”
Constable Herschel Smith knows a thing or two about courage, and so does Justice John Devine. As the Precinct 3 Waller County Constable, he also knows what it feels like to be racially profiled and mistreated by his fellow members of law enforcement. To him, keep standing firm, my brother.
Regarding Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine and our new Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, I would say, way to go, guys – keep up the good work.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
DIRECT CONTACT:
(281)788-3033
Ray "RC" Charles Jones and his late wife, Etta Crockett, were committed to helping people like State Senator Borris L. Miles rise to power. After meeting with Ray "RC" Charles Jones and discussing the topic of "STRONG BLACK MEN," Ray "RC" Jones gave me a better understanding of how State Senator Borris Miles is and some of the things State Senator Miles has done for the community behind the scenes, but never bragged about in public.
"RAY CHARLES JONES."
There was a point and time in History when African American men were strong, brave, courageous, bold, and possessed intestinal fortitude. Today, finding an African American man involved in Harris County politics who dares to stand ten-toes-down against Commissioner Rodney Ellis and his regime has become challenging.
For the life of me, I can’t understand why people are afraid of Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Sylvester Turner, who are weak men who hide behind their surrogates and only bully women.
One of the men I’ve watched and come to admire from afar over the years is Ray “RC” Charles Jones. While I don’t know him all that well, I’ve always admired him from afar because of his stance against Commissioner Rodney Ellis in 2016, when he endorsed Gene Locke over Ellis to succeed Commissioner El Franco Lee after his sudden death.
Ray “RC” Charles Jones has an unmatched legacy of leadership spanning over five decades. A glimpse into his resume will give you a better understanding of why I believe he should have a platform to share his thoughts with my readers and advise me on local political matters.
From 1992 through 1993, Ray “RC” Charles Jones served as the “MINORITY LAISION” for the Texas State Comptroller’s Office. From 1985 through 1992, Ray “RC” Charles Jones served as the “FOUNDER/PARTNER” of Superior Waste Management.
According to his resume, Ray “RC” Charles Jones served as the President and CEO of 3M Waste Management from 1983 through 1992. He also served as a certified member of CEDHE Corporation for the Economic Development of Harris County from 1985 through 2000.
From 1978 through 1983, “Ray “RC” Charles Jones served as the president and CEO of R.J. Jones & Sons.
Many worldwide leaders and dignitaries remember “Ray “RC” Charles Jones for the fine limousines in his fleet when he owned Internation Limousine Service.
“COMMUNITY SERVICE.”
➜ Harris County Economic Development Corp. - Squatty Lyons
➜ State Drug Abuse Advisory Council - Board Member - Gov. Dolph Briscoe
➜ Solid Waste Association of Transportation
➜ District B Captain for Clean Houston - Economic Summit 1990 - Appointed by Mayor Kathy Whitmire
➜ Quadrant Captain for Clean Houston - 1992 Clean Up - Appointed by City Councilman Ernest McGowen
➜ Houston Clean City Commission - Position B - Appointed by Mayor Bob Lanier
➜ Special Deputy Constable - Harris County Precinct 3 - Appointed by Constable James Douglas
➜ NAACP - Member - ACT-SO Scholarship Sponsor
➜ North Forest Chamber of Commerce - Member
➜ Northwood Manor Civic Club - Organized the Civic Club - Served as President for ten years
➜ Harris County Council of Organizations - Treasurer
➜ Angelic Care Community Services - Board Member
➜ Northeast Little League - Sponsor
➜ Northwest Little League - Sponsor
➜ Building and Standard Commission - Appointed by Mayor Lee Brown
➜ RCJ Commercial Service
➜ City of Houston - Solid Waste Consultant
➜ #ILW.BDKZcares - Community Outreach-Sponsor
➜ RCJ Consulting- Community & Senior Care Outreach
➜ Airport Board of Adjustment -Appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner
➜ Building and Standard Commission -Appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner
"POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT."
➜ Harris County Precinct Judge 104 - 48years
➜ Senatorial District 6 - State Democratic Executive Committee
➜ Senatorial Districts 6, 13 & 15 - Committee Chairperson
➜ Harris County Democrats - Secretary
➜ Harris County Democrats - Screening Committee - Co-Chairman
➜ Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying - Appointed by Governor Ann Richards
➜ Northeast Democratic Coalition - President- 1981 to Present
➜ Houston Black American Democrats (H-BAD) -Treasurer, 2nd Vice President
➜ North Side Political Action Group - Founder, President
“HONORABLE MAN.”
➜ African American Business “Pinnacle” Award Finalist 1997
➜ African American Business “Pinnacle” Award Finalist 1999
➜ Outstanding Citizenship Award -1994-1999
➜ Fonwood School Volunteer Award
➜ Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce - 1997 Pinnacle Award - Top 50 Businesses
➜ Houston Informer Newspaper- Entrepreneur of the Week Nominee
➜ Lakewood Church - Hospitality Committee, Prayer Partner
“MAN ON A MISSION.”
As a testament to his commitment and dedication to the citizens of Harris County, Texas, Ray “RC” Charles Jones developed a personal mission statement that declares, “Ambition, Inspiration, and Determination are my daily driving forces. To serve and give despite the circumstances. Compassion and empathy partnered with fairness and moral standing. Community, Civic, and City active. I serve.
Lieutenant Colonel DaSean Jones has TWO BRONZE STAR MEDALS, a Combat Action Badge, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism, a Global War Expeditionary, an Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (10LC), an Overseas Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal, Overseas Training Ribbon, a National Defense Service Ribbon, and a Parachute Badge to his credit. SPECIAL NOTE: The appearance of Judge DaSean Jones in his military uniform and U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement.
General Merrick Garland chose Judge Erica Hughes to serve as an Immigration Judge, where she will preside over cases beginning in January 2022. In addition to this new role, Judge Erica Hughes has been an esteemed member of the U.S. Army National Guard of Texas in Austin since 2016, serving as a Judge Advocate. On January 1, 2025, Judge Erica Hughes, after being called an animal by an "LGBTQ ATTORNEY." named Ben L. Aderholt and unqualified by fellow judges from within her own party, will take the bench as the presiding judge for the 151st Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas. Judge Erica Hughes is pictured above with State Rep. Jolanda Jones (HD-147) and Judge DaSean Jones, the presiding judge for the 180th Criminal District Court.
174th - Judge Hazel B. Jones
176th - Jones Nikita V. Harmon
180th - Judge DaSean Jones
184th - Judge Katherine N. Thomas
208th - Judge Beverly Armstrong
262nd - Judge Lori Chambers Gray
263rd - Judge Melissa M. Morris
339th - Judge Te'iva J. Bell
482 - Judge Veronica M. Nelson
487th - Judge Stacy Allen Barrow
“FAMILY BENCHES.”
There are 11 Family District Court benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy 7 (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
“COUNTY PROBATE.”
There are only four Probate Courts in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy one (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
“CIVIL BENCHES.”
There are 24 Civil District Court benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy 8 (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
55th - Judge Latosha Lewis Payne
151st - Judge Erica Hughes
152nd - Judge-Elect TaKasha Francis
164th Juddge Cheryl Elliott Thornton
189th - Judge Tamika Craft
270th - Judge Dedra Davis
333rd - Judge Tracy D. Good
334th - Judge Dawn Rogers
“CRIMINAL BENCHES.”
There are 23 Criminal District Court benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025) will occupy 10 of them.
151st - Judge Erica Hughes
152nd - Judge-Elect TaKasha Francis
164th Juddge Cheryl Elliott Thornton
189th - Judge Tamika Craft
270th - Judge Dedra Davis
333rd - Judge Tracy D. Good
334th - Judge Dawn Rogers
176th - Jones Nikita V. Harmon
180th - Judge DaSean Jones
184th - Judge Katherine N. Thomas
208th - Judge Beverly Armstrong
262nd - Judge Lori Chambers Gray
263rd - Judge Melissa M. Morris
339th - Judge Te'iva J. Bell
482 - Judge Veronica M. Nelson
487th - Judge Stacy Allen Barrow
245th - Judge Angela M. Lancelin
246th - Judge Angela Graves-Harrington
257th - Judge Sandra Peake
280th - Judge Damieane "Dianne" Curvey
309th - Linda Marie Dunson
311th - Judge Germaine "Ja'net" Tanner
507th - Judge Lillian Henny Alexander
“JUVENILE BENCHES.”
There are only three Juvenile District Court benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy one (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
246th - Judge Angela Graves-Harrington
257th - Judge Sandra Peake
280th - Judge Damieane "Dianne" Curvey
309th - Linda Marie Dunson
311th - Judge Germaine "Ja'net" Tanner
507th - Judge Lillian Henny Alexander
314th - Judge Michelle Moore
“CIVIL AT LAW.”
There are only four County Civil Court at Law benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy two (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
No. 1 - Judge Audrie Lawton-Evans
No. 3 - Judge LaShawn A. Williams
“CRIMINAL AT LAW.”
There are only 16 County Criminal Court Law benches in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy 6 (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
No. 3 - Judge LaShawn A. Williams
No. 4 - Judge Shannon Baldwin
No. 9 - Judge Toria J. Finch
No. 10 - Judge Juanita A. Jackson
No. 11 - Judge Sedrick T. Walker, II
No. 12 - Judge Genesis Draper
No. 15 - Judge Tonya Jones
No. 9 - Judge Toria J. Finch
No. 10 - Judge Juanita A. Jackson
No. 11 - Judge Sedrick T. Walker, II
No. 12 - Judge Genesis Draper
No. 15 - Judge Tonya Jones
No. 5 - Judge-Elect Fran Watson
“JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.”
There are only 16 Justice of the Peace Courts in Harris County, Texas, and heading into the upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections, African American Democrat judges will occupy four (on Wednesday, January 1, 2025).
3.1 - Judge Joe Stephens
3.2 - Judge Lucia Bates
7.1 - Judge Wanda Adams
7.2 - Judge Sharon Burney
3.2 - Judge Lucia Bates
7.1 - Judge Wanda Adams
7.2 - Judge Sharon Burney
Below are the photos and courts held by African American Democratic incumbents in Harris County, Texas, which will be relevant in the 2026 midterms.
Judge Lashawn Williams, Judge Angela Graves Harrington, Judge Shannon Baldwin, Judge Tonya Jones, and Judge Toria J. Finch will be in the fight of their political lives as Democrats are already contemplating challenging the (26) twenty-six "AFRICAN AMERICAN JUDGES" who are up for re-election in the upcoming 2026 Midterm Election for Harris County, Texas. However, I'm not sure why so many potential candidates are seeking to run against the (26) twenty-six African American incumbent judges when there will be (68) sixty-eight local benches up for grabs in the 2026 Midterm Election in Harris County, Texas.
There are (68) Sixty-Eight Local Benches to Choose From in the 2026 Midterms
55th Civil District Court
Judge Latosha Lewis Payne (DEM)
113th Civil District Court
Judge Rabeea Collier (DEM)
157th Civil District Court
Judge Tanya Garrison (DEM)
180th Criminal District Court
Judge DaSean Jones (DEM)
182nd Criminal District Court
Judge Danilo "Danny" Lacayo (DEM)
183rd Criminal District Court
Kristin M. Guiney (REP)
Judge Kristin M. Guiney ran for the 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 8, and defeated Judge Richard Hightower and, therefore, will not be on the 2026 Midterm Election ballot.
184th Criminal District Court
Judge Katherine "Kat" Thomas (DEM)
185th Criminal District Court
Judge Andrea Beall (DEM)
189th Civil District Court
Tamika Craft-Demming (DEM)
190th Civil District Court
Judge Beau Miller (DEM)
208th Criminal District Court
Judge Beverly Armstrong (DEM)
209th Criminal District Court
Judge Brian E. Warren (DEM)
228th Criminal District Court
(Deceased) Judge Frank Aguilar (DEM)
230th Criminal District Court
Judge Chris Morton (DEM)
232nd Criminal District Court
Judge Josh Hill (Dem)
234th Civil District Court
Judge Lauren Reeder (DEM)
248th Criminal District Court
Judge Hilary Unger (DEM)
262nd Criminal District Court
Judge Lori Chambers Gray (DEM)
263rd Criminal District Court
Judge Melissa Marie Morris (DEM)
269th Civil District Court
Judge Cory Don Sepolio (DEM)
270th Civil District Court
Judge Dedra Davis (DEM)
281st Civil District Court
Judge Christine Weems (DEM
295th Civil District Court
Judge Donna Roth (DEM)
482nd Criminal District Court
Judge Veronica M. Nelson (DEM)
246th Family District Court
Judge Angela Graves Harrington (DEM)
247th Family District Court
Judge Janice Berg (DEM)
257th Family District Court
Judge Sandra Peake (DEM)
280th Family Protective Court
Judge Damiene Dianne Curvey (DEM)
308th Family District Court
Judge Gloria Lopez (DEM)
309th Family District Court
Judge Linda Marie Dunson (DEM)
310th Family District Court
Judge Sonya Leah Heath (DEM)
311th Family District Court
Judge Germaine Ja'net Tanner (DEM)
312th Family District Court
Judge Teresa J. Waldrop (DEM)
313th Juvenile District Court
Judge Natalia Cokinos Oakes (DEM)
314th Juvenile District Court
Judge Michelle Moore (DEM)
315th Juvenile District Court
Judge Leah Shapiro (DEM)
Harris County Judge
County Judge Lina Hidalgo (DEM)
County Civil Court at Law No. 1
Judge Audrie Lawton Evans (DEM)
County Civil Court at Law No. 2
Judge Jim F. Kovach (DEM)
County Civil Court at Law No. 3
Judge LaShawn A. Williams (DEM)
County Civil Court at Law No. 4
Judge M.K. Monica Singh (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 1
Judge Alex Salgado (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 2
Judge Paula Goodhart (REP)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 3
Judge Leslie Johnson (REP)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 4
Judge Shannon Baldwin (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 5
Judge David Marcel Fleischer (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 6
Judge Kelly Andrews (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 7
Judge Andrew A. Wright (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 8
Judge Erika Ramirez (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 9
Judge Toria J. Finch (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 10
Judge Juanita Jackson (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 11
Judge Sedrick T. Walker, II (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
Judge Genesis E. Draper (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 13
Judge Raul Rodriguez (DEM)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 14
Judge Jessica N. Padilla (REP)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 15
Judge Tonya Jones (DEM)
County Probate Court No. 1
Judge Jerry Simoneaux (DEM)
County Probate Court No. 2
Judge Pamela Medina (DEM)
County Probate Court No. 3
Judge Jason Cox (DEM)
County Probate Court No. 4
Judge James Horwitz (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
Judge Steve Duble (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2
Judge Delores Lozano (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2
Judge Lucia Bates (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2
Judge Laryssa Korduba (REP)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 2
Judge Bob Wolfe (REP)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, Place 2
Judge Angela D. Rodriguez (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2
Judge Sharon M. Burney (DEM)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8, Place 2
Judge Louie Ditta (REP)
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
Judge Linda Marie Dunson is the presiding judge for the 309th Family District Court in Harris County, Texas. Judge Linda Marie Dunson will be up for reelection in the 2026 Midterm Election.
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
Judge Audrie Lawton Evans is the presiding judge for the County Civil Court at Law No. 1 in Harris County, Texas. Judge Audrie Lawton Evans will be up for reelection in the 2026 Midterm Election.
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
Judge LaShawn A. Williams is the presiding judge for the County Civil Court at Law No. 3 in Harris County, Texas. Judge LaShawn A. Williams will be up for reelection in the 2026 Midterm Election.
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
Judge Lucia Bates is the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, Place 2, in Harris County, Texas. Judge Lucia Bates will be up for reelection in the 2026 Midterm Election.
- 2026 MIDTERM CYCLE -
Judge Sharon Burney is the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2, in Harris County, Texas. Judge Sharon Burney will be up for reelection in the 2026 Midterm Election.