By Amarillo Pioneer Editorial Board

Each election season, we inevitably get questions about why we don’t typically make recommendations in judicial races. We’ve broken this rule only twice before — both times for endorsements in statewide judicial races. However, as a general rule, we prefer not to endorse or recommend in these types of races.

The reason why we don’t get involved in these races is fairly simple: for the most part, judicial candidates are limited as to how much they can tell us about themselves while running for office. Judicial conduct rules strictly limit what candidates can say about different issues, their backgrounds, and their opponents while running for office. So, in many instances, voters have to do a lot of reading between the lines to figure out the candidates.

For this reason, we often do not have enough information about the candidates and their contrasts with their opponents to make recommendations in these races. We occassionally have enough data to make this call, but it is rare. And for this reason, we typically choose not to get involved in these races.

What does this mean for 2026?

Well, in simple terms, we don’t plan to issue endorsements or recommendations in a handful of races, including the races for justice of the peace in Potter County, and the statewide appellate court positions up for election this cycle. Most of the candidates running responded to our Voter Guide, and we encourage you to read their answers and make your own choices for the primary election.