The state’s two U.S. senators are likely to play pivotal roles in what is expected to be a politically explosive confirmation process.
Don Willett
Posted in
State Government
“A friendly vote on the court”: How Greg Abbott’s former employees could help Texas from the federal bench
As a longtime aide to Greg Abbott, Andrew Oldham has helped Texas fight the federal government. If he’s confirmed to the federal bench, he could rule on the same type of cases.
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Politics
He’s been a Texas Supreme Court justice for a month. Now Jimmy Blacklock must become a candidate.
New state Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock is the latest judge to face a familiar challenge in Texas: On the bench, he has to appear impartial. But to keep his seat, he has to win the approval of Texas’ deep-red electorate.
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Politics
Texan Don Willett confirmed by U.S. Senate to federal 5th Circuit Court
The U.S. Senate confirmed Don Willett, a Texas Supreme Court justice, to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. A confirmation vote on Jim Ho, a former state solicitor general, is expected later this week.
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Politics
Don Willett defends controversial tweets as jokes at confirmation hearing before U.S. Senate
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, a nominee of President Donald Trump to a federal court, defended past tweets about transgender people and same-sex marriage as jokes at a confirmation hearing Wednesday.
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Texas Elections 2018
Analysis: It’s an honor, but don’t quit your day job
Don Willett has a job — he’s a justice on the Texas Supreme Court. And he’s been picked for a job on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But until that new job comes through, he’s going to try to keep the job he’s got — in 2018’s elections.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: A political bargain that’s working out for social conservatives
In the president’s appointment of two Texans to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, conservatives are seeing the fruits of a bargain made in the 2016 elections: Donald Trump might not be their favorite, but they’re getting judges they want.
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Criminal Justice
Trump picks Gorsuch for U.S. Supreme Court, bypassing Willett
President Donald Trump on Tuesday named U.S. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, picking him from a list of candidates that had included Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett.
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Politics
Analysis: Texas Judge Tweets While Trump Auditions for GOP
You already knew about Donald Trump’s reverence for Twitter, but it’s still surprising that a Texas judge known mainly for his funny tweets would land on the Republican presidential candidate’s list of possible U.S. Supreme Court nominees.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Analysis: A Contest That’s Not on the Ballot
Less than a year after he first took office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending himself against felony charges while a quiet procession of candidates comes under unofficial consideration to succeed him.