Attorney Sarah Fox is officially a candidate for judge of the 401st District Court.
Fox is one of four candidates who have filed to be on the Republican primary ballot for the open Collin County seat. Judge Mark Rusch, who has presided over the court since it was created in 2000, is retiring at the end of his term in 2020.
Fox says her extensive experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney uniquely positions her to serve on this bench.
“Through my board certification in criminal law, as well as thousands of hours in the courtroom representing cases to both judges and juries, I am uniquely set apart in the race as the most qualified candidate for this particular seat,” she told Texas Scorecard.
The court’s caseload is expected to be about 70 percent criminal by 2021, Fox said in a campaign announcement, and she is the only candidate in the race who is deemed by the State of Texas as an expert in criminal law.
“As a Christian conservative, I would approach each case before me by weighing equally the need for justice and compassion,” she added.
Fox is a top-rated criminal defense trial attorney with Goheen and O’Toole, PLLP. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the Collin County district attorney’s office.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University and a juris doctor degree from Southern Methodist University.
Three other Republicans are running for the position: family law attorney Brook Fulks, attorney and former Collin County Republican Party chairman George Flint, and former 380th District Judge Suzanne Wooten, who is suing the county over a wrongful prosecution that forced her out of office.
Nine Collin County district judge races will be on the ballot in 2020. Candidates for the March primary must file to run for office by December 9.
