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STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS
By Chief Justice Tom Phillips
77th Legislature, February 13, 2001

Events are occurring rapidly on court personnel. It is technically possible that a majority of the State Supreme Court will be replaced in the next two years. The turnover below Chief Justice Phillips may force him to run again for continuity purposes. He is currently undecided. Justice Baker will retire at the end of his term in 2002. Justice Hankinson is currently undecided . Justice Jefferson will be seeking election to the unexpired term he was appointed to by Governor Rick Perry (replacing Al Gonzales). Justice Greg Abbott resigned his seat to run for Lieutenant Governor. This gives Governor Perry a second opportunity to appoint someone to the bench. Additionally, another person will be appointed by Governor Perry to replace Justice Priscilla Owen, if she is confirmed to the 5th Circuit. Houston Appeals Court Justice Mike Schneider (R) has indicated he will run for Justice Baker's seat. Judge Elizabeth Ray (R), Chief Administrative Judge for Harris County District Courts (Houston) says she may run for an open seat.  Judge Margaret Mirabal (D), 1st Court of Appeals in Houston, announced she will seek the seat vacated by Justice Abbott, Judge Linda Yañez (D), 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi, will run if appointed by Governor Perry to an open seat. She is not considered a conservative jurist. Lives in Edinburg and closely allied with Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa. District Judge Sam Medina (R) of Lubbock is seeking an appointment from Governor Perry and will consider running. No other names have surfaced yet, but many Appeals Court and District Judges will look closely at this. Remember, no Democrat has beaten a Republican for a Supreme Court slot since 1992.