The two candidates for the 136th District Court judgeship have different levels of experience – and vastly different levels of financial contributions.
The incumbent, Democrat Milton Gunn “Mickey” Shuffield has been on the bench of the 136th for 16 years, and according to the July 15 campaign finance report has raised $143,607.
Shuffield’s list of donors reads like a “who’s who” of the Jefferson County Bar.
The largest donation to Shuffield’s campaign came from the Beaumont firm Reaud Morgan & Quinn LLP, with a $15,000 contribution on May 22.
Attorneys from Mehaffy Weber, a defense firm in Beaumont, gave a total of $11,375, donated in increments of $875 each from 13 of the firm’s lawyers.
Weller Green Toups & Terrell LLP made two large contributions -- $2,000 on April 4 and $5,000 on June 6 – for a total of $7,000.
The Law Office of Danny Ray Scott donated $2,500, as did Portner Bond PLLC.
Among the non-lawyer donors, local philanthropist Regina Rogers gave the largest contribution with $2,000.
Although Democrats still hold most of the elected positions in Jefferson County, Republicans are beginning to increase their presence.
Shuffield's Republican challenger, Rick Williams, is a practicing attorney in Nederland who also served a year as a family law judge.
Williams’ campaign has $3,564 cash on hand as of the July finance report. His largest donation came from Beaumont attorney John Morgan, who gave $1,500.
Attorney Alan McNeil gave $500 to Williams and criminal defense attorney Doug Barlow made a $250 donation.
Fellow Republican Eddie Arnold, a Jefferson County Commissioner, also gave $250.
Most of Williams’ other donors are from the business community in Jefferson County. Those donors include Nathan Cross CPA, Robert Turner of JK Chevrolet, businessman and Tea Party supporter Billy Job, Stephen Savant of Savants Collision and Wreckage and Huntsman employee Kirk Hallmark.
Judicial candidates raise vastly different amounts for campaigns
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY