Below are the unedited responses from Tina Clinton to the Amarillo Pioneer’s candidate questionnaire for 2020. Clinton is a Democratic candidate for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4.
Please note: Questions from the Pioneer are in italics and the candidate’s responses are in standard type.
Clinton/Photo by Campaign
What is your occupation?
State Felony District Judge
What is your age?
49
What is your educational background? Please list any degrees earned, and institutions attended. You may also list any professional certifications.
SMU School of Law (JD)
UT Austin (BA in Philosophy)
Duncanville High School (Diploma)
Is this your first time running for office? If not, please list which offices you have sought or held in the past.
2008 5th District Court of Appeals (sought)
2010 Dallas County - County Criminal Court 8 (held)
2014 Dallas County - County Criminal Court 8 (held)
2018 Criminal District Court 1 (held)
If you have a website, Facebook, Twitter, or any other online campaign materials, please list the links below.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JudgeTinaClinton
Instagram: @JudgeTinaClinton
Twitter: @JudgeTClinton
Why did you decide to run for office in 2020?
I believe that the people of Texas should have a choice of who they would like in their highest criminal court in Texas. There were many cases like Moore v State that was remanded by the US Supreme Court in 2017 and again in 2019 that show why Texans may need a fresh voice.
What experience do you have that qualifies you to hold this position?
I have served as a prosecutor, defense attorney, municipal judge, county criminal court judge and now, as a state felony district court judge. I have taught criminal law nationally. I was honored to teach ethics to my fellow judges in Texas as well as serve as faculty at New Judges College. I have tried over 400 trials over my 25 years in criminal law.
Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, please list your PAC endorsements.
No PAC endorsements.
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support in your race?
I have width and depth of experience beyond anyone else in this race. I have administrative experience as a 3-term incumbent judge and experience as the presiding judge over all the county criminal courts in Dallas County, an honor bestowed upon me by my fellow judges. I have taught and created classes for judges on very technical knowledge like computer forensics which becomes more and more important in criminal cases in the modern age. I bring a fresh perspective as a first generation immigrant and as an Asian-American woman. I have 400 trials I have tried as a prosecutor, a lawyer and a judge. I have served as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in addition to my judicial experience. I would be honored to serve Texans as their next judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4.