Brett Busby, Republican
Incumbent Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
Busby/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your educational background?
Answer: A.B., Duke University (summa cum laude). J.D., Columbia Law School (Kent Scholar).
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
Q: What is your age:
A: 47
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Website: www.BrettBusby.com
Facebook: Justice Brett Busby
Twitter: @BrettBusby
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2020?
A: Last year, Governor Greg Abbott asked me to serve on the Texas Supreme Court. Because of my record as a fair judge and experienced appellate attorney, I earned the support of every Democrat and Republican when the Texas Senate voted unanimously to confirm my appointment.
I am running to continue serving Texas, and I want you to know that I believe my job is to deliver justice for all: giving everyone the fair day in court they deserve and ruling impartially based on the law, never imposing personal or political views in the courtroom to reach a desired result. This is the record I have built in eight years on the bench and the legacy I want to leave for my family and yours.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: First, I will continue to work hard to decide cases correctly and promptly with clear written opinions, so that all citizens will know what their rights and obligations are and can plan their conduct accordingly.
Second, I am committed to giving back to the community I serve. I provided hundreds of hours of free legal aid as an attorney, and I am a leader in the Access to Justice Commission's work helping Texans of limited means get the basic legal services they need.
Third, during these trying times, courts must be available and steadfast in applying the law consistently to all. I am helping to lead the Texas judiciary's pandemic response by using innovative technology to ensure our courts remain open safely to all who seek justice.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position in 2020?
A: I am a seventh-generation Texan and third-generation Eagle Scout who grew up partly in Amarillo, attending St. Andrew's and Wolflin Elementary. My 22-year career as an appellate litigator and appellate judge has prepared me to be a leader on the Supreme Court. I am the only sitting Justice who specialized in appellate work in private practice: I argued cases in the U.S. and Texas Supreme Courts and appellate courts across the state, and I handled the jury charge and legal issues in many civil trials. I am a former U.S. Supreme Court law clerk who is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law, and my fellow Texas appellate lawyers recently elected me as Chair of the State Bar Appellate Section.
My record shows that I serve the people of Texas as a fair judge who listens attentively, works hard, and rules impartially based on the law—not on personal or partisan preference. Take it from the lawyers who know me and my opponents best: (1) I'm honored to be rated consistently among the best and most impartial appellate judges in Texas in anonymous polls, (2) I won the State Bar of Texas lawyer poll for this race, and (3) I was named Appellate Judge of the Year in 2018 by the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. I would be honored to have your vote to continue serving you on the Texas Supreme Court.