The latest Don Willett news from The Texas Tribune.
The state's two U.S. senators are likely to play pivotal roles in what is expected to be a politically explosive confirmation process. Full Story
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As a longtime aide to Greg Abbott, Andrew Oldham has helped Texas fight the federal government. If he's confirmed to the federal bench, he could rule on the same type of cases. Full Story
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New state Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock is the latest judge to face a familiar challenge in Texas: On the bench, he has to appear impartial. But to keep his seat, he has to win the approval of Texas' deep-red electorate. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate confirmed Don Willett, a Texas Supreme Court justice, to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. A confirmation vote on Jim Ho, a former state solicitor general, is expected later this week. Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, a nominee of President Donald Trump to a federal court, defended past tweets about transgender people and same-sex marriage as jokes at a confirmation hearing Wednesday. Full Story
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Don Willett has a job — he's a justice on the Texas Supreme Court. And he's been picked for a job on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But until that new job comes through, he's going to try to keep the job he's got — in 2018's elections. Full Story
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In the president's appointment of two Texans to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, conservatives are seeing the fruits of a bargain made in the 2016 elections: Donald Trump might not be their favorite, but they're getting judges they want. Full Story
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday named U.S. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, picking him from a list of candidates that had included Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett. Full Story
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You already knew about Donald Trump’s reverence for Twitter, but it’s still surprising that a Texas judge known mainly for his funny tweets would land on the Republican presidential candidate’s list of possible U.S. Supreme Court nominees. Full Story
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Less than a year after he first took office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending himself against felony charges while a quiet procession of candidates comes under unofficial consideration to succeed him. Full Story
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The major party nominees for governor — Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis — hold their second and final debate tonight in Dallas. The smart money is on an encounter similar to the first one held 11 days ago in Edinburg. Full Story
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We're liveblogging the sessions from the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival's Justice track. The sessions include panels on criminal justice reform, the Texas Supreme Court, same-sex marriage and the death penalty. Full Story
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Some are waiting to see what the courts will do. Others want to see if any opponents surface. Regardless, with six days to go until the filing deadline, how many incumbents haven't filed yet? A whole bunch. Full Story
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Ted Cruz tries to lure David Dewhurst into a fight, while Tom Leppert taunts them both in a new TV ad. Full Story
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Austin lawyer and anti-affirmative-action advocate Steven Wayne Smith is planning a return to the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
Judges are elected in Texas, but Gov. Rick Perry has picked the winners on the state's highest civil court almost without fail since he took office in 2000. Full Story
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El Paso District Judge Bill Moody said Monday that he plans to make a third run for the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story