TLR endorses the re-election of Texas SC justice Phil Johnson

HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – A legal watchdog group recently endorsed the re-election of Justice Phil Johnson, a Republican, to the Texas Supreme Court.

According to a press release, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC publicly endorsed Johnson on Jan. 29.

“Justice Johnson is one of the finest, most principled men in public service in Texas today,” said TLR PAC Chairman Richard J. Trabulsi, Jr.

“He is known for being one of the hardest working judges on the Texas Supreme Court and his extensive appellate experience, diligence and commitment to the law have helped make the court one of the most respected in the nation. TLR PAC is proud to endorse his re-election.”

Johnson will face Democratic challenger Sharon McCally, a Houston appellate justice, in the 2014 general election.

The Texas Ethics Commission reports Johnson raised $253,547.27 in political contributions from July 1 to Dec. 31.

Johnson previously served as the chief justice of the 7th Court of Appeals in Amarillo.

He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2005 by Gov. Rick Perry, who called Johnson “a true conservative who believes judges must be impartial referees and strictly interpret the law, not seek to write it from the bench,” states the TLR press release.

Johnson attended Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and graduated with honors in 1975.  He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, served as president of the Lubbock County Bar Association, and is board certified in civil trial law.

TLRPAC is the political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the state’s largest civil justice reform organization.

From Legal Newsline: Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com.