BEAUMONT – With the March primary just around the corner, plaintiff’s attorney Tina Bradley has been given a boost by her colleagues going into the election and holds a significant financial edge over her opponents in the race for the 172nd District Court.
A partner at Hobson & Bradley, Bradley, a toxic tort specialist who has filed numerous asbestos suits in Jefferson County, seeks to replace retiring Judge Donald Floyd, who has sat behind the bench since 1989.
She is competing with fellow Democrats Melody Chappell and Kent Johns for the right to square off against the lone Republican in the race, Mitch Templeton.
Bradley
According to the latest campaign finance reports, Bradley has netted more than $48,000 in contributions – a sum that surpasses Chappell’s total five times over.
Sizeable portions of Bradley’s donations have come from The Ferguson Law Firm, with individuals associated with the Beaumont firm (founded by Paul “chip” Ferguson) contributing a total of $12,500 to her coffers.
Newly named Ferguson Law partner Cody Dishon and his wife donated $2,500, ad did Brittney Ferguson.
Attorney Michelle Ferguson also chipped in $2,500, matching the $2,500 given by Ferguson Law attorney Larry Hunter and his wife Rebecca.
Jane Leger, also a Ferguson Law attorney, kept with the theme and donated $2,500.
The Snider Law Firm in Beaumont also gave $2,500 to Bradley. Walter Umphrey and his wife Sheila shelled out $1,000, so did Richard Hughes of Bradley & Steele.
Also worth mentioning, the Pipefitters’ Local Union No. 211 donated $500 to Bradley’s campaign.
Several more area attorneys chipped in smaller amounts. Bradley also received an array of donations from companies, small business owners and medical professionals.
Chappell, who is no stranger to Floyd’s court, will most likely be Bradley’s chief opponent in the Democratic Primary.
She is an attorney for the area law firm Wells, Peyton, Greenberg & Hunt and specializes in school law and employment defense litigation.
According to her contribution report, Chappell has raised a total of $9,200, with numerous donations coming from teachers, retired individuals, business owners, attorneys and medical professionals.
One of her largest donations includes a $1,000 contribution from Pastor John Adolph of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont.
The Republican in the race, Templeton, has practiced law for 26 years and is currently a partner at the Beaumont law firm Templeton & Brinkley.
He was raised more than $12,000, with his largest donation ($2,500) coming from CPA Paul Peveto.
According to her firm bio, Bradley has been handling asbestos and benzene cases throughout Texas. She has also handled matters involving toxic exposures in Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Oklahoma.