For your consideration: District judge race

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Texas has a rare exception to the rule. Our judges are elected by the people, not appointed by the governor. And that leads to interesting contests between candidates.

In normal races that pit one person against another, things get messy. But when one lawyer squares off against another, things can get mean.

It makes for a good show. But we’ll get there in a minute.

Ruben James Reyes, 39, of Seguin, is running on the Republican ticket to become district judge in the 2nd 25th Judicial District. His opponent is Jessica Richard Crawford, a municipal prosecutor from New Braunfels. They are running for the spot being vacated by retiring judge William “Bud” Kirkendall. This district covers Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lavaca and Colorado counties.

“I have the experience,” said Reyes. “I’ve been a lawyer going on for 12 years and I have worked both as an assistant district attorney for six years and in private practice for six years.”

It is the time he has spent as both a prosecutor and in private practice as a defense attorney that has prepared him to run for the office. Pair that with the experience he has had trying cases in front of district court, and it’s a slam-dunk, he says.

“The reason that I am running is that I firmly believe that your district court judge should have the experience to make those important decisions on day one,” Reyes said. “There’s no time for on-the-job training. You can’t learn as you go. You have to be prepared and ready to make those decisions as soon as you are sworn in and take the bench.”

Reyes has prosecuted cases in Victoria, Hays, Guadalupe, Lavaca and Gonzales counties, so he knows the terrain well. He has also represented the state in cases where high-profile convictions were sought.

“I like to think I’m a balanced candidate with experience on both sides,” he said. “I think that folks that come before the district court want to have a judge who has vast experience on both sides of the law so that folks can folks can feel they have their fair day in court.”

He says that he knew he wanted to run for judge since his days as a young prosecutor. He understood the impact a judge could have on people’s lives and wants to contribute a positive impact on the system as a judge. So when Kirkendall decided to retire last summer, it didn’t take long for Reyes to become a contender.

Though the 2nd 25th has been running smoothly, he does see room for improvement. He wants to focus on moving cases along in a timely manner and getting swift justice for all involved. The court needs to have enough dockets to move a trail along and he said he will work with the other district judge for the area, William Old, to get there.

“We need to make sure things are being kept appropriately and that spending is done frugally and wisely,” Reyes said. 

In a mail piece that you have probably received, his opponent has labeled him as a “liberal activist” who has only recently switched to the Republican Party in an effort to win the election. Sitting with the calm and composed Reyes, it is hard to find an activist streak in him.

“There’s no set of Republican laws, there’s no set of Democratic laws, there is just ‘the law,’” Reyes explained. “And when a judge is on the bench, what you do is interpret the written law. And you don’t substitute your personal or your family values or community values for what the law is. And my opponent — because she lacks in experience — she has never tried a jury trial in district court. For the past five years she has been a municipal court prosecutor, and municipal court is traffic tickets.”

Reyes confesses that it is true that he has not been a life-long Republican. He converted in 2011 to the GOP after he found Democratic ideals not to align with his own. So what his opponent says — that Reyes has only voted in two presidential GOP primaries — is true. There have only been two since 2011. 

But Reyes also points to her own voting record, since she has made that game. 

“With the issue of voting history, she’s been eligible to vote for 15 years,” Reyes said. “In those 15 years, she’s voted four times as a Republican. And I’m not saying she’s voted Democrat, she’s only cast four Republican primary votes. So for her to insinuate or suggest that she’s more Republican than me is absurd.”

Reyes says that Crawford has been good at misrepresenting her experience on her campaign fliers and in speeches she has given.

“What folks need to understand is that when she is asked, ‘What kind of family law cases have you practiced in district court? What kind of custody disputes have you had?’ The answer is none. ‘What kind of felony cases have you prosecuted?’ The answer is none. ‘What kind of felony cases have you defended?’ None.”

“You have to carefully look at the things she’s saying,” he said. 

Reyes hammers the point that experience is what should be the important factor in the race. Since she is a municipal judge and only deals with short hearings and is essentially presiding over a traffic court, a victory by the lesser experienced Crawford would be a setback for the district. 

“It would not be a good day for the judicial system if we had somebody with limited municipal court experience,” he said.

Reyes points to the endorsements he has received as proof that folks are on-board with his campaign. Sheriffs from all four counties, longtime GOP county chairs as well as County Attorney Paul Watkins has endorsed him. Questioning his party affiliation and dedication is only a smokescreen by his opponent to redirect voters to other issues of least importance, he said.

“I think those endorsements should speak volumes,” he said.

And if his opponent wants to compare conservative bonafides, he says look no further than a speech she gave saying that she would legislate her community values from the bench.

“That’s not conservative. Your job as a judge is to follow the law and apply it as written,” Reyes said. “That’s not responsible. And those are the words from an inexperienced lawyer who hasn’t practiced in district court.”

“I will give the utmost due attention to all four counties, not any one particular county. And that’s always been my pledge,” he said.

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