HBC MAGAZINE© REPORTS
At first glance, it’s a little difficult to pinpoint a clear frontrunner in the race for
Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2. After all, you have three capable African American female attorneys seeking to replace the honorable Judge Zinetta Burney –
who has decided to lay down her gavel. However, in a surprise move, the honorable
Judge Zinetta Burney has for some reason, anointed her daughter
Sharon Burney her heir apparent to the throne --
so to speak. Will Judge Burney's attempt to pass down this highly-coveted judicial post as some sort of heirship work? Well, we'll all have to wait until Tuesday, March 6, 2018, to find out the answer to this question.
Early voting will begin on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, and end on Friday, March 2, 2018, for this race --
which we expect to be highly competitive!
Then you have attorney
Cheryl Elliott Thornton who has decided to make another run for Justice of the Peace – after trying unsuccessfully to unseat embattled Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 1 (Hilary Green) back in 2016. “Even with a loss on her record,
Cheryl Elliott Thornton has a legitimate shot at the Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2 seat on Tuesday, March 6, 2018,” says Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of
Houston Business Connections Magazine©. “She proved her legitimacy back on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, when she emerged as the second place finisher in a stellar field of eight viable candidates to force a runoff with Judge Hilary Green,” he explains. However, the fact that she didn’t even come close to beating Judge Hilary Green in the Tuesday, May 24, 2016, Democratic Party Primary Runoff Election doesn’t bode well for her coming into the race for Precinct 7, Place 2,” says Taylor. “But I wouldn’t sleep on
Cheryl Elliott Thornton in 2018 -- after all, she’s already proven that she can draw over 5,000 votes in a field much larger than the one currently vying to replace Judge Zinetta Burney –
who is retiring.”
Ray B. Shackelford, the only male candidate running for
Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2 is not an attorney –
but you don’t have to hold a law degree to serve as a Justice of the Peace in Harris County, Texas. A Justice of the Peace, in most cases, will usually only deal with minor civil and criminal matters. The candidate, however, must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18-years of age –
thus Shackelford is qualified to be in this race.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO RUN FOR JP IN THE STATE OF TEXAS
A candidate running for Justice of the Peace in Texas must have been a Texas resident for one year, and a resident of the precinct for which they’re running for at least six months prior to running.
These judges serve four-year terms – in case you’re wondering. And a Justice of the Peace can earn well over 100,000 dollars a year –
and has very good benefits.
Attorney Audrie Lawton is definitely the candidate to watch in the Tuesday, March 6, 2018, Democratic Primary race for
Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2. “Lawton has been a licensed attorney in the State of Texas for over 15-years,” says Taylor. “She comes to the fight for the Precinct 7, Place 2 bench with unmatched credentials, and valuable experience, having tried well-over 100 cases in her career – thus far,” explains Taylor. “Her unique qualifications has her poised, ready, and prepared to take-the-gavel from the
Honorable Judge Zinetta Burney, and do a very fine job,” says Taylor. “After all, as a lawyer, she’s represented clients on both sides in a court of law – so, she appears to have a very good grasp, and a keen understanding of the issues faced by both Plaintiffs and Defendants when they walk into a courtroom.”
One of Audrie’s favorite quotes is by Robin S. Sharma, which states,
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work.” And that’s exactly what Lawton plans to do when elected by the people of Precinct 7, Place 2. According to Audrie, she’s seeking to take this bench because she believes that she’s qualified to do so. And more than that, she believes that the time has definitely come for new leadership. “I want to
Bring Back the People’s Court,” she says. “That means opening up the courthouse doors to the community in which it serves. It also means providing services, such as educational training, social services, and resources to Pro Se litigants who cannot afford legal representation. My goal is to partner with organizations in our community to provide additional services to those in need,” she recently told
Houston Business Connections Magazine© shortly before the signing deadline to get her name on the 2018 Democratic Party Primary ballot in Harris County, Texas. “Audrie Lawton has a future, and a plan that could definitely help the Precinct 7, Place 2 courtroom run more efficiently,” explains Taylor. Below are five ways, in which she plans to accomplish her aforementioned goals:
AUDRIE'S FIFTH GOAL: Audrie Lawton has also expressed a sincere desire to work with the Constable’s office to promote safety in the community for residents who live, work, and play in Precinct 7, Place 2.
• 2008 Delegate- Texas State Democratic Convention
• Vice-President-Thurgood Marshall Class of 2002
• Law Review-Thurgood Marshall School of Law
• Worked as a pro bono coordinator for Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program
• Speaker, Ethics, State Bar of Texas
• Speaker, Texas BarCle 2017
• Community Leader and volunteer
• Licensed to practice law for 15 years in the State of Texas
• Licensed to practice law in the Eastern, Southern, Northern, Western Districts of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Former Assistant Attorney General, State of Texas
• Former Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, State Bar of Texas
• Former Prosecutor (Sex crimes), Special Prosecution Unit of Texas
• Sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party
• Harris County Young Democrats, member
• Creditors Rights section State Bar of Texas, member
• Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, member
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, lifetime member
• Jack and Jill of America, Houston Chapter
