Texas remains one of the few states in the country where judicial elections are partisan, and according to State Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, that is unlikely to change any time soon. Despite ongoing discussions about the role of politics in judicial rulings, Hecht asserts that even in states where judges do not run as Republicans or Democrats, concerns about partisanship still persist.
Speaking about the issue, Hecht explained that appointing judges rather than electing them does not eliminate political influence either. “Even in states where judges are appointed, there is still a political stain,” he said, emphasizing that the public often views judges through a partisan lens, regardless of how they reach the bench.
Hecht stressed the importance of public trust in the judiciary, saying, “We need to trust that judges will rule without politics.” He acknowledges that it is tempting for the public to see judges as affiliated with political parties, but emphasized that once on the bench, the focus must shift away from party labels.
The Chief Justice’s remarks come amid ongoing national debates about the independence of the judiciary and the influence of political affiliations in legal decisions. Despite concerns, Hecht remains firm that partisan elections for judges will continue in Texas for the foreseeable future.
