Family court judges

GOP should back Lemkuil and Gooden; Dems for Graves-Harrington, Barron and Vossler.

There may be no death penalty or jail time, yet the 11 specialty family district courts in Harris County feature some of the most highstress, emotionally straining cases anywhere in our courthouses. Judges handle deeply personal issues such as divorce, child custody and support, parental visitation, paternity and adoption. The future of parents and children, love and livelihood, can be decided by these jurists in black robes. Voters should look for candidates with a big heart and special understanding of the emotional and personal stakes involved. The best judges can rule with stable predictability and ensure that everyone involved understands the reasoning behind decisions from the bench.

Republican Family District Judge, 257th Judicial District: Alyssa Lemkuil

Alyssa Lemkuil was appointed to a newly created family court in 2016 by Gov. Greg Abbott and earned our endorsement in her first election. She lost the general election but has earned our endorsement today in her race for an open seat.

Lemkuil, 56, has 25 years’ experience in family law. The University of Houston Law Center graduate exhibits the calm judicial temperament that is so helpful in resolving painful family disputes. She served as an associate judge for three years prior to her appointment and has also worked as a child support prosecutor and an attorney and mediator in private practice. Her opponent, Melanie Flowers, comes across as an experienced and effective advocate with deep experience and confidence in her field. Flowers has been board certified in family law for seven years, and Lemkuil only recently earned that distinction. But ultimately, Lemkuil’s proven track record as a judge is most persuasive, and we urge voters to give her an opportunity to serve again.

The winner of this race will face Democratic candidate Sandra Peake in the November election.

Family District Judge, 280th Judicial District: Angelina D.A. Gooden

Say a woman is threatened by her ex-boyfriend with a gun and fears for her life. She can apply for a protective order to the 280th district court, one of most important courts in Harris County and one of the least known. Angelina D.A. Gooden, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to this bench in late 2017, appears to have what it takes in temperament and experience to do a good job. A seasoned family law practitioner, Gooden’s private practice has included both applicants and respondents for protective orders. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law graduate served in the domestic violence field as contract attorney for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, a non-profit. During her 28 years of practice, Gooden, 56, was also appointed by multiple Harris County family law judges to serve as a special master to hear family law cases. Her opponent, fellow TSU law graduate Geric L. Tipsword, is qualified as well. The combat veteran and former math teacher has some quasi-judicial experience as an adjudication hearing officer in municipal court. George Clevenger is also seeking his party’s nomination. While we would encourage Tipsword to run again, Gooden deserves her party’s nomination for this specialty bench.

The Republican nominee will run in November against the winner of the Democratic primary.

Democratic Family District Judge, 246th Judicial District: Angela Graves-Harrington

Angela Graves-Harrington earns our nod in this primary contest against a qualified opponent, Charles Collins. These two candidates graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law within two years of each other. Both have more than a decade of experience in family law. Both are running to compel change in a bench that they view as disrespectful. But while Graves-Harrington has represented different clients in custody disputes, divorce litigation, mediations and arbitration, Collins has had only one client for over a decade — the state of Texas. Collins has worked as assistant attorney general and then managing attorney for the state attorney general, child support division. Although he’s handled a high-volume legal practice and has managed a team, his practice lacks the breadth of Harrington’s. Collins displays the steady, even demeanor of a good judge and should run again. But voters should back Graves Harrington, 41, in this race.

The winner will face Republican incumbent Judge Charley Prine in the general election.

Family District Judge, 280th Judicial District: Beth Barron

Voters have a difficult decision in the race for this domestic violence court. Both candidates are wellqualified and have dedicated their careers to providing protection to persons who face family violence. In this near coin-toss race, our nod goes to Beth Barron, 58, who as an assistant district attorney for over 21 years, has represented more than 10,000 victims of family violence seeking protective orders against abusers. The South Texas College of Law Houston graduate has also published family violence guidelines that are utilized throughout the state for the Texas District and County Attorney Association to assist victims and their legal representatives. Opponent Barbara Stalder is board certified in family law and deeply engaged in this field as a practitioner, a victim, an expert, a teacher and through her work at various worthy non-profits. Stalder even earned our endorsement when she ran for this bench in 2014. However, Barron’s level-headed experience in the matter of protective orders, which are the bread and butter of this court, is extraordinary. Voters can’t go wrong.

The Democratic nominee will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November.

Family District Judge, 309th Judicial District: Kathy Vossler

Kathy Vossler, 55, deserves the Democratic nomination for this bench. This experienced family law attorney is a people-person who has developed long-lasting relationships with families she has helped in almost 20 years of practice. The University of Houston Law Center graduate exhibits the appropriate demeanor for this bench and is running to ensure that litigants are treated respectfully. Vossler advanced some promising ideas to improve court efficiency and is also passionate about a mentorship program for young lawyers to train them to help litigants who struggle to handle their own divorces. Democrats should get behind this qualified candidate who has seen flaws in the system and promises to find remedies for them. Also running is Linda Marie Dunson, an attorney who has served on the Children at Risk law advisory board.

The winner in this race will run against Republican incumbent Judge Sheri Y. Dean in the November general election.

Reminders: The last day to register to vote is Monday. Early voting starts Tuesday, Feb. 20, and ends Friday March 2. Election Day is March 6.