This week, Texans for Courageous Courts released its first round of endorsements for the 2020 election, supporting Gina Parker for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3; James Lombardino for First Court of Appeals, Place 5; George Flint for the 401st District Court of Collin County; Jim Johnson for the 431st District Court of Denton County; and Eric Yollick for the 457th District Court of Montgomery County.
Texans for Courageous Courts is a project of Empower Texans that is dedicated to promoting judges who welcome accountability from voters and who will preserve justice in the face of social and political pressure without bowing to powerful interests inside and outside of government.
Our judiciary is plagued by judges who are nothing more than cogs in a system that distorts our Constitution and further empowers powerful interests to weaponize the courts to deprive Texans of life, liberty, and property.
Each of these candidates has a track record of leadership demonstrating that they will fight for the Constitution and the rule of law and to promote justice in the courts. You can count on these individuals to be part of the solution.
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 (statewide)
Gina Parker is a Waco native. She attended Baylor University for her bachelor’s degree as well as the Baylor University School of Law. She has worked in business, civil, and criminal law and served as city attorney, assistant county attorney, and assistant district attorney as well as commissioner and chairman of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. She is running to uphold the Constitution and rule of law, keep communities safe, and preserve justice.
First Court of Appeals, Place 5 (Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Waller, and Washington Counties)
James Lombardino lives in Houston, Texas. He attended the University of Houston for his undergraduate degree and the South Texas College of Law for his JD. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for Harris County before going into private practice in criminal, civil, and family law cases. Lombardino was a district judge for the 308th District Court of Harris County for eight years before going on to be a visiting judge. He admires judicial restraint and believes strongly in protecting and defending the Constitution.
401st District Court of Collin County
George Flint lives in Collin County, where he has served his community in various capacities for decades. Judge Flint has a bachelor’s degree from MIT, a master’s degree in business from Wake Forest University, and a JD from SMU. He has worked in private practice for nearly 40 years, served on the North Texas Crime Commission, and served as chairman of the Collin County Republican Party. He is currently an associate judge on the Collin County Probate Court. He has also worked as a volunteer attorney for First Liberty, defending the freedom of association, right to religious expression, and other issues of religious liberty.
431st District Court of Denton County
Jim Johnson is a long-time resident of Denton County who currently practices as an attorney and a certified public accountant. He holds a law degree from Texas Wesleyan and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. He is currently an adjunct professor at Texas A&M School of Law but has previously worked as the CEO of CitiFinancial Japan Inc. and the CFO of Associates International Holdings Corporation. Johnson is an Eagle Scout, has been a delegate to the Republican Party of Texas Convention, and is currently the vice-chair of Finance for the Denton County Republican Party. Johnson emphasizes the need to avoid “legislating from the bench” and to ensure a faithful, fair application of the law.
457th District Court of Montgomery County
Eric Yollick was born and raised in Texas, received an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, attended graduate school at UT Austin, and received his JD from SMU School of Law. He has been involved with conservative politics since his time at Princeton in the College Conservatives Club, supporting Ronald Reagan’s campaign for president. Yollick has been a Republican precinct chair, state convention delegate, and election judge. He has also practiced law for 30 years. Yollick is dedicated to working for docket efficiency and county finance reform and accountability.
Texans for Courageous Courts issues endorsements after candidates complete a three-step process. First, candidates complete a detailed questionnaire regarding their judicial philosophy, followed by an interview with Texans for Courageous Courts’ staff. The organization then solicits input on the candidates from subscribers and grassroots leaders before making final endorsement decisions. All endorsements are issued in support of a particular candidate based on Texans for Courageous Courts’ principles and mission and should not be construed as criticism of any other candidate or elected official.
