The following is a compilation of the unedited responses from Kathy Cheng, candidate for Texas Supreme Court Place 6, to the 2018 Amarillo Pioneer Voter Guide. Cheng is unopposed in the March 6th Democratic primary and will face incumbent Republican Jeff Brown in November.
Name:
Kathy Cheng
Office Sought:
Texas Supreme Court, Place 6
Why did you decide to run for office?
I believe that in order for justice, equality and fairness to be a reality, one must give effect to the meaning of those terms as opposed to using them as terms of art. As an Asian American immigrant of multicultural background, having treated differently and experienced discrimination, I know the importance of giving effect to the terms justice, fairness and equality. As such, I find it my civic duty to make changes in the judicial system by assuring that justice, equality and fairness becomes a reality so that the rulings are reflective of the ideas and/or principals of the broader population.
Please list any of your political, civic or non-profit experience.
In 2010, I was the first candidate to run against a career judicial incumbent who had no opponents for the 16 years prior to my candidacy. In 2012, I ran for the First Court of Appeals. My past and current civic or non profit experiences include but not limited to serving as legal counsel for Light and Salt Association; serving as Committee Chair and current member of League of Women Voters of Houston Area; volunteering for Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston; Harris County Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar; volunteer as attorney to OCA-Greater Houston attendees on immigration issues.
What is your educational background?
Juris Doctor Degree
What experience do you have that qualifies you for this position?
I am a private practitioner who have been a litigator in civil and criminal matters for over fifteen years.
How will you best represent the Texans who elected you?
My multicultural experience and understanding will provide the diversity and representation desperately lacking for Texans at the present time.
Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, which ones?
I have not sought after or received the support of any political action committee at the present time, but will provide the support on my campaign website when I receive such support.
How are you better suited than your opponent(s) to serve in the position that you are running for?
As a female legal practitioner, I am compassionate to the needs of people, passionate to prosecute or defend the causes of my clients, decisive to the method required of achieving a resolution, and courteous to all. As an Asian American immigrant, I am open minded to the worldly views of others and sensitive to the needs of others. As a mother of three wonderful children, two of whom are toddler boys, I practice patience on a daily basis. As a part-time hearing adjudication officer for the City of Houston, I conduct my hearings with unbiased views so that every citizen is assured of justice in my courtroom. Taking the above qualities collectively, compassion, passion, decisiveness, courteous, open-minded, sensitive, patient, unbiased and commitment to justice, the character trait of judicial temperament comes to mind. Those qualities coupled with my multicultural background, experience and understanding that every ruling I make affects the human beings beyond the writings of briefs and/or words spoken by their legal counsels, I am the candidate better suited to serve the best interest of Texans in the broader spectrum.
Why should voters choose you in 2018?
Society evolves with time and it is time that we have a panel of justices that is reflective of the diversity in our state, i.e. multicultural experience and understanding that align with societal principals. The notion that the highest and most powerful panel of the Texas judicial court consist only of justices of one political party affiliation making judicial rulings for Texans is as dangerous as putting all eggs in one basket. For two decades, the Texas Supreme Court has consisted of justices of the Republican Party. Texans, it is time for Cheng. Vote Cheng for change.
Photo by Bosque Democratic Club