Shea Supports Brees for Place 5 on 3rd Court of Appeals

Dear Editor,
    I was surprised by your lack of endorsement in Mina Brees' race for Place 5 on the 3rd Court of Appeals [“Endorsements,” Oct. 20]. I believe this is a case where Mina is clearly the better candidate. First, and most critically: the court is unbalanced – four of the six members are Republicans and one of the two Democrats is retiring. One-party rule is wreaking havoc in this state – and the nation – and a fair judiciary is essential to restore the balance of power.
    Second, this court is crucial for justice in Travis County. In 1992, when the corrupt "rule" City Council violated the city charter, and defied a local court order to call the SOS election, it was the 3rd Court that heard the appeal, and ordered the election. It was also this same court that ruled that the SOS Ordinance was constitutional.
    Third, Mina is more qualified. She won the State Bar of Texas "Best Qualified" poll with 57.3% of the vote of all of the lawyers in the 24 counties that make up this court – against a six-year incumbent! She also won the 2001 Peacemaker Award for the Environment by the Dispute Resolution Center of Central Texas and in 2005 was given the Professionalism Award by the Austin Bar Association and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism.
    Mina's opponent looks like just another political hack – he was a Democrat but switched to Republican when it seemed expedient.
    Mina Brees is a welcome change. She is fair, smart, and tough. We need her on this court and I urge everyone to vote for her.