Brazos County District Judge Steve Smith is running for Chief Justice of the 10th District Court of Appeals.
Smith wants to replace Tom Gray, saying the incumbent lacks the judicial temperament needed inside and outside the courtroom. Smith also referred to after Gray receiving a public admonishment from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Gray, who marked his eighth anniversary as Chief Justice, has been a member of the Waco-based district since 1999. Smith, who has 17 years of trial judge experience, is the presiding judge in the 361st District Court.
Steve Smith visits with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
According to Smith’s news release announcing his candidacy: “The courtroom is no place for judges who want to write or apply the law to conform to their personal or political beliefs,” Smith said. “We need true conservative judges who will create courtrooms with a level playing field where everyone is treated equally and with respect. Each case must be decided based on its merits alone. That’s the way I run my courtroom and that is what I will bring to the 10th Court of Appeals if elected.”
Smith went on to say in his news release that he believes Gray lacks the judicial temperament needed inside and outside of the courtroom and that he has lost the faith and confidence of the public.
Again referring to Smith’s news release, “Justice Gray has been publicly admonished by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for lapses in judgment, including the entering and searching through of the other justices’ private offices without their knowledge or permission; he violated Reagan’s 11th Commandment by repeatedly criticizing another Republican judge; he was rebuked by the editorial board of The Bryan/College Station Eagle, and he was called on to resign by the editorial board of the Waco Tribune Herald,” Smith continued. “As judges, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. Even the appearance of impropriety is unacceptable because it undermines public confidence in an impartial judiciary.”