Coordinated Campaign 2008 - Harris County Democratic Party

Vince Ryan

Vince Ryan, who has just received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle, is running against embattled County Attorney Mike Stafford.

A husband and father of three, successful attorney, University of Houston and Rice University graduate, has led a life of outstanding public service.  A retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Vince served his country in Vietnam (1971-1972) and in Panama (Operation Just Cause, 1989-1990) and later as a Presidential appointee, unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, on the Panama Canal Commission.  Vince has served the people of Harris County first as the top assistant to now retired County Attorney Mike Driscoll and later as a Houston City Council Member.  Throughout his formal service to his country and county, he has served on numerous boards such as the Houston Area Women’s Center and The Neartown Association and continues that tradition of service currently on the Mayor’s International Affairs and Development Council/Latin America, the Houston Tampico Sister City Association and the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association.

http://www.votevinceryan.com/

Candidate for First Court of Appeals, Place 5

Leslie C. Taylor has been certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 18 of her 24 years of law practice. After graduating from law school near the top of her class and clerking at a court of appeals, she worked with W. James Kronzer. He often said, “Leslie, you’re too objective. You should be on the bench.” Ms. Taylor wrote the first edition of O’Connor’s Texas Causes of Action. She has been a litigation associate with Zimmerman, Axelrad, Meyer, Stern & Wise and now has her own practice. She is married and has three sons. Read More at taylorforjustice.com

Candidate for 351st District Court

Now an attorney in private practice, Mekisha spent five years fighting crime as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Mekisha worked her way through college and law school, earning a B.S. degree from the University of Houston and her law degree from South Texas College of Law, where she was a member of Law Review and Varsity Moot Court. Mekisha Murray is running for the 351st Criminal District Court because she wants to protect our community and bring fairness and balance back to the criminal court house. As a judge, Mekisha will be tough on those who victimize the people of Harris County, while respecting the rights of every individual who comes before the court. Mekisha Murray believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. She will use those values and her experience battling crime and practicing law to be a fair, impartial judge for the citizens of Harris County.

Candidate for 152nd District Court

Trial Attorney/Mediator Robert Schaffer has been practicing law in Houston for 24 years and for 16 of those years he has served as a mediator working to get lawsuits settled. He has been elected to lead local bar associations as president and received the highest possible rating in legal ability and general ethical standards in confidential ratings from other lawyers and judges in the legal community. He is committed to community service which is reflected in his volunteer work, for instance as the Chair of a State Bar Grievance Committee, as a member of the Southwest Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League and volunteering at local schools. As the Judge of the 152nd District Court he will work hard to ensure that cases are moved to conclusion in a fair and expeditious manner.

Candidate for 14th Court of Appeals, Place 6

Mary Markantonis is presently employed by the law firm of Pappas & Suchma, P.C. where she has worked for the last five years. Since being licensed in 1978, her experience has included appellate work, litigation, workers’ compensation, employment law, personal injury, real estate, corporate law, commercial transactions and criminal law.

Mary has practiced as both a plaintiff’s and defense lawyer. She has acted as corporate counsel and advised partnerships, small businesses and individuals. Her experience as a lawyer and business counselor has given her a unique understanding of issues from both a legal and business perspective.

mary4justice.com

Karl Rove already tried to turn the U.S. Justice Department into Republican campaign headquarters.  Don’t let him do the same with the Texas House! Democrats are only five seats away from a majority in the State House, and we can’t let Karl Rove stop us now.  Lend your support to our Democratic candidates and bring real change to the Texas Legislature:

Sherry Matula (http://sherriematula.com/): State House District 129

Kristi Thibaut (http://www.votethibaut.com/) State House District 133

Trey Fleming (http://www.flemingfortexas.com/) State House District 135

 Joel Redmond (http://www.joelredmond.com/) State House District 144

R.K. Sandill, Candidate for Civil District Court

Running for the 127th Civil District Court, R.K. is a graduate of UT-Austin and The University of Houston Law Center. Previously a briefing attorney to Justice Murry Cohen of the Texas First Court of Appeals, R.K. practices employment law and commercial and appellate litigation with Steele Sturm, PLLC. He is admitted to all federal courts in Texas and is a member of the Houston Bar Association and the Garland R. Walker Inn of Court.  A cancer survivor, R.K. serves on the Advocacy Committee and the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  He resides with his wife Kelly and their young son Asher in Houston.