Early voting starts this Tuesday in the Democratic Party Primary, and the Williamson County Democratic Party is publishing a series of posts highlighting the races and candidates voters can expect to find on their ballots. Each post focuses on a different office and presents all candidates with the opportunity to answer the same series of four questions. This post highlights the candidates for the 3rd Court of Appeals, Places 2, 3, 5, and 6.
A Justice on this court is essential to upholding fairness and the rule of law within the Texas judicial system. As part of an intermediate appellate court, they carefully review trial court decisions from a specific district, ensuring that trials were conducted fairly and legal procedures were followed. Their written opinions provide clarity on complicated legal issues and offer guidance for future court cases.
Place 2
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I want to bring my legal expertise and my lived understanding of experiencing homelessness and educational deprivation to this seat. As a Democrat I believe in and practice the ideals of supporting access to justice and access to the courts for all, especially the most marginalized in our community.
What are your qualifications?
As a legal expert I have handled thousands of civil and criminal cases and hearings in court, and I have drafted legislation, decisions, and appellate briefs as a law clerk, judge, a prosecutor, and as an attorney representing and defending individuals in five of the counties this court serves.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I hope to improve docket efficiency. Also, with about 15% of Texans living below the poverty level, access to justice is crucial. I have been awarded for my work helping our most vulnerable have access to the court system and will do the same for those seeking justice through the appellate courts.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
Having represented and defended individuals in civil and criminal cases, represented the State, and served as a judge, I will bring relevant experience. As a person who survived childhood homelessness and neglect, I will also bring a unique understanding and compassion for those being served.
Edward Smith
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I am running to continue the good work I have started. I have held the powerful accountable and been fair and impartial in all my cases. My focus has been on upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is not just a concept but a lived reality for every Texan.
What are your qualifications?
I have over five years experience doing this job. In that time I have authored more than 550 opinions and sat on the panel for many hundreds more. I have proven I can do the job and I am the only candidate with hands-on experience doing the job.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
If elected I want to keep doing the good work and staying active in the community. It is important to not only perform the duties of the job to the highest levels, as I have, but to also be an active member of the community. I will stay active in my volunteer work and mentoring young adults.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
Voters should choose me because I am the only candidate with experience doing the job. I have proven I can do the job while giving back to the community. It is this dedication that I have brought to the job and will continue to bring to the job if re-elected.
Melissa Lorber
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I am running to be a Justice on the Third Court of Appeals because I have experience and expertise that is needed on the Court. I am a life-long Democrat and believe in fundamental fairness, equality, justice, and human rights for all—regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
What are your qualifications?
For 22 years, I have represented clients in hundreds of appeals. I regularly present written and oral arguments in the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Courts of Appeals, and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. I have earned board certification and am a Texas Super Lawyer in Civil Appellate Law.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
There is currently no justice on the Third Court whose career has focused on representing clients in appellate courts. I have seen that the Court often takes too long to issue decisions and does not provide a thorough and well-reasoned analysis. I hope to use my experience to improve both problems.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
Everyone benefits if the Third Court is comprised of the most qualified justices. The Court has the final word in most Central Texas disputes—and it decides important and difficult questions. I have the experience and expertise to correctly and fairly decide any question presented to the Court.
Place 3
Chari Kelly
Chari Kelly is running opposed in the Democratic Party Primary for Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 3.
Place 5
Thomas J. Baker
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I seek a second term because I have been hard-working and dedicated. I love my job. I treat all with dignity, respect and equality, which are my Democratic values. I have strived to achieve just, fair outcomes in every case.
What are your qualifications?
I now have 5 years’ experience. I am Board-Certified in Family Law. I have been 5th of 80 intermediate appellate justices in opinions the past two years. I have exceeded judicial education requirements as a member of the State Bar College. I have been a practicing attorney since May 1984.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
What I hope to accomplish is decisions that are correct on the law and the case, treating each party and case fairly and justly. and handing down opinions that treat all with equality, respect, dignity and justice. My experience enables me to process cases more quickly and work with my colleagues.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
Voters should choose me because I was the only Democrat who had the courage to run in 2018 against the longest-serving Republican. I now am the only candidate with experience at this office. I practice Democratic values. I am a Democrat from a rural, red county; our party needs rural Texas.
Karin Crump
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I am running to protect access to justice in the courts, which are our last line of defense for our basic rights. Being a Democrat means prioritizing justice for all, protecting equal access to justice in the courts, and defending the rights of vulnerable populations.
What are your qualifications?
I have more than 26 years of experience as a distinguished attorney, including nearly 9 years as a trial judge. I’ve presided over jury trials, administrative appeals, and family law cases, with a commitment to access to justice and efficiency. I’m passionate about protecting basic human rights.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I hope to improve access to justice so that litigants have equal and fair access to our courts; improve efficiency so that litigants aren’t waiting years to have their cases resolved; and improve transparency so the public can see and hear what happens in this important court.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
In Texas, the third branch of government has never mattered more. As an experienced lawyer, judge, and mother of three, I am committed to playing a vital role in turning Texas Blue while defending access to justice on the Third Court of Appeals.
Place 6
Gisela D. Triana
Chari Kelly is running opposed in the Democratic Party Primary for Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 3.
Candidates for Justice 3rd Court of Appeals District will appear on your ballot in this year’s Democratic Party Primary. Don’t forget to vote for this important office, and remember that early voting starts Tuesday, February 20 and continues through Friday, March 1. Election Day is Tuesday, March 5.
Find your polling place in Williamson County.