Misdemeanor court

Republicans should back Karahan and Burdette for county criminal courts-at-law.

Harris County misdemeanor courts have been wracked by a landmark federal lawsuit challenging the bail system for unconstitutionally discriminating against poor, low-level offenders. Democratic county officials want to settle the lawsuit. Republicans have spent millions in taxpayer dollars to fight it. No doubt this will be a major issue in the general election. Republican primary voters should ensure that they’re picking the best candidates to represent the party in November. Harris County voters already have enough reasons to clean house — a poorly qualified candidate would only provide another excuse to vote for a change. Whether Democratic or Republican, everyone should want the best judges to stay on the bench.

Early voting runs from Tuesday, Feb. 20 through Friday, March 2. Election Day is March 6.

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 8: Jay Karahan

What keeps a well-qualified judge from seeking a higher bench? In the case of incumbent Judge Jay Karahan, county court provides him with the best platform to communicate with the people before him and tell them “what happens if you don’t straighten up and fly right.” Republican voters should unite behind Karahan for a fifth term.

The South Texas College of Law Houston graduate has deep experience throughout the courthouse, having served in a variety of roles during his 34 years of practice. Karahan has been an assistant district attorney, assistant U.S. Attorney General, litigation and compliance counsel for a Fortune 100 corporation, adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law Houston and a white-collar defense lawyer.

While judge, he’s presided over one of the five courts for serious DWI repeat offenders, and his court is a pilot to institute changes to automate court services, records retrieval and documentation.

Nothing in this outstanding jurist’s record would seem likely to attract a primary challenger. Karahan, 61, believes that he’s drawn one for two reasons. He performs same-sex weddings, and he doesn’t pay for endorsements from pay-for-play slates.

Karahan also lost an endorsement from the Kingwood TEA Party after asking on Facebook for Democratic friends to vote in the Republican primary to support him over his opponent. Any quality judge should have Democrats and Republicans alike, not just the party faithful, hoping to keep him on the bench.

Republican voters should pull the lever for Karahan to face Democratic nominee Franklin Bynum in the general election. Karahan’s opponent, Dan Simons, didn’t meet with the editorial board.

Judge, County Criminal Court No. 11: Aaron Burdette

Candidates with experience on the defense side of the bar usually get extra points in our book when looking for judicial candidates, so take this endorsement seriously when we recommend a career prosecutor like Aaron Burdette. A graduate of Tulane University Law School, Burdette, 39, has served for the past decade as a Harris County assistant district attorney, including working as deputy chief of the misdemeanor division.

“I’ve been down there for more than 10 years and I really consider myself kind of an institution,” Burdette told the editorial board.

When talking about his work, Burdette focuses on the plight of victims in cases, but also emphasizes that as a judge he will hold the state to its burden. On bail bonds, he said that he supports reform but doesn’t want 100 percent personal recognizance bonds.

Also running is Lori Botello, a defense attorney who works largely from court appointments.

The winner in this race to replace Republican incumbent Judge