Kenneth R. (Kenn) Carr
Age: 67
Website: www.keepjusticecarr.com
Residence: Westside
Occupation: Incumbent Justice, Court of Appeals
Education: B.A. (Cum Laude), Rice University, J.D, University of Texas Law School
Relevant Experience: I have 42 years’ legal experience, and I am the only candidate in this race with appellate judicial experience. I have participated in nearly 500 appellate decisions and have written over 175 opinions (none of which has been reversed). I am the only candidate whose legal research and writing has been published nationally (by the American Bar Association). I am the only candidate who is or has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; I have been certified in Labor and Employment Law since 1975. I am the only candidate who has been selected by my peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America; I have been selected annually since 1989. I am the only candidate who has been selected for inclusion in Texas Monthly’s “Texas Super Lawyers”; I have been included each year that the list has been published. I finished in the top 1% on the Texas Bar exam (5th out of 521). I am the only candidate who, while in law school, was on the editorial staff of the Texas Law Review. I graduated 1st in a class of 506 in high school. I scored in the 99%ile or higher on each SAT test and was awarded a National Merit Scholarship.

What are the pros and cons of electing, rather than appointing, judges? The question is actually moot, because the Legislature is unlikely to adopt an appointment system in the foreseeable future. But see the next answer.

What are the pros and cons of judicial elections being partisan? Judicial elections should definitely be non-partisan; there are no cases, which come before our court in which the partisan politics of the litigants are relevant. The 8th Court of Appeals currently has 2 Democratic Justices and 1 Republican; of the nearly 500 opinions which we have issued since I joined the Court, we have had only 1 case in which I dissented from the 2 Democrats, and that case had no partisan issues.

Would you support terms limits for state court judges? No, I don’t think that would be wise.
Disclose your legal disciplinary history, and explain why it does or does not matter. 1. I have never had any sort of disciplinary action taken against me by any judge or tribunal. 2. A judge’s disciplinary history, both before and after he/she assumes the bench, is crucial. A judge’s most fundamental duty is to uphold the rule of law; if he cannot (or will not) do so in his own personal and professional life, he is unlikely to do so on the bench.

Guadalupe Rivera
Age: 60
Website: www.electjudgerivera.com
Residence: Central
Occupation: State District Court Judge
Education: University of Texas School of Law J.D. (1981), University of Texas at El Paso BBS (1971), Loretto Academy (1966)
Relevant Experience: I have served the El Paso community on the bench for the last 24 years, in family court and on the bench of the 168th District Court. I have presided over thousands of family, personal injury, medical malpractice, dtpa, contract, fraud, and employment law cases. I am proud of a record that reflects integrity, efficiency and competence. I have been honored statewide as Outstanding Jurist and I am proud of the role I played in bringing about public awareness of domestic violence and the enforcement of the laws in that area in our community.

What are the pros and cons of electing, rather than appointing, judges? The pros of electing rather than appointing judges far outweigh any cons. The most important is that by providing for the election of judges the litigants who appear in the courts determine who will preside over the courts in their communities rather than a handful of individuals who may not reside in the community or have any interest in it. By providing for the election of judges the people of a community are given a voice and are not disenfranchised from the judicial branch of government. The appointment of judges, in a partisan system, can create an allegiance to the governor and the party whereas when the community elects a judge the allegiance presumably is to the community.

What are the pros and cons of judicial elections being partisan? Requiring judges to run in partisan elections conveys the impression that judges are like all other politicians who identify with a party platform and promote party agendas. Judges are required to make decisions based on the facts presented and on the applicable law. Party affiliation does not play a role in the performance of judicial duties as it does with other elected officials.

Would you support terms limits for state court judges? Yes, however it is important to note that the experience a judge gains from time on the bench and continuity are extremely important to the efficient administration of justice.
Disclose your legal disciplinary history, and explain why it does or does not matter. I have never been disciplined, reprimanded, or cited for a breach of ethics or for unprofessional conduct. I believe a judge’s disciplinary history should be of great importance in an election.

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Voter Guide 11.2008 Online Resources

Races included in the Voter Guide 11.2008
State Representative District 75; Charlie Garza, Chente Quintanilla
State Representative District 78; Dee Margo, Joe Moody
8th Court of Appeals, Judge Place 3; Kenn Carr, Guadalupe “Lupe” Rivera
448th District Court; Christopher Antcliff, Regina Arditti
County Criminal District Court #1; Manuel Barraza, Don Minton
County Sheriff; George Stoltz, Richard Wiles

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Click here to visit the canidates’ websites.

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Attached as a pdf is the Voter Guide brought to you by El Paso Media Group and the El Paso Chamber of Commerce. Download your own personal copy of the Voter Guide and read it on your computer or print it out and read through it during your lunch break.

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Click here for Early Voting locations. Early voting ends 10.31.2008.

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For more information:
Elections Department
Phone: 915.546.2154
Fax: 915 546-2220
www.epcounty.com