We recommend 7th place in the race for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Judicial nominees often take a back seat in voters’ minds, but that shouldn’t be the case, especially when our system of checks and balances is at stake. Judiciary independence is on the ballot in this year’s election for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

That’s why we’re recommending Democrat Nancy Mulder over Republican Gina Parker in the race for Place 7 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The winner of this race will replace Judge Barbara Hervey, who lost the primary to Parker earlier this year.

Mulder, 54, has a long history of success in the legal profession, having served as a defense attorney and prosecutor. She has been a criminal judge in Dallas County since 2015. She currently heads the Criminal District Court No. 6.

Although no legal experience is required to be elected to an appeals court, it gives Mulder the upper hand over her rival. This is the state’s criminal court of last resort, and death penalty cases are automatically reviewed by this body. Experience at the bank is important.

In our voter guide, Mulder’s answers were detailed and provided insight into her understanding of the law. She believes in research, prudence and transparency and understands that the Court of Criminal Appeal must carefully review cases to identify misapplication of the law or abuse of the justice system.

Mulder often livestreams their proceedings, which provides additional transparency but also increases the need for hypervigilance. She recently learned this the hard way. A heated incident last April in which she expressed her opinion resulted in a mistrial. In the end, she withdrew from the case. In our interview, Mulder took full responsibility for the mistake.

Although this incident represents a blemish on her career, we believe that this mistake does not disqualify her as the best option in this race.

The Dallas Bar Association gave her an overall positive rating of 80% in the 2023 Judicial Ratings Survey. She is also one of the few judges who voluntarily submits court data to the Dallas County Jail Population Management Committee for its monthly reports.

Parker, a Waco attorney, was unavailable for our in-person interview, did not respond to our emails, and her responses in Voter Guide were not detailed. She supports the creation of more specialized courts and believes legislative action is needed against “liberal prosecutors” who set low bail for dangerous offenders or release them without bail.

Parker, 62, has no experience on the bench, but she has the support of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton targeted three incumbents this election cycle in revenge for a 2021 ruling that barred him from unilaterally prosecuting voter fraud. Attempting to shape a court according to the wishes of an elected official undermines our democracy and undermines the integrity of the judiciary.

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