Musk also made a $1 million donation to another PAC, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which shares similar goals of shaping Texas’s legal system. Critics, however, warn that the heavy influence of money in judicial elections risks undermining public trust and fairness in the justice system. Jon Taylor, a political science expert at the University of Texas at San Antonio, emphasized the issue of “buying justice” and the impact of corporate spending in elections.
In cities like Corpus Christi, Republican candidates in intermediate appellate courts won by substantial margins. However, in areas like Dallas, the races were much closer, with Republican candidates like Justin Jay “J.J.” Koch securing a narrow victory for the Fifth Court of Appeals. These results reflect broader trends of Republican victories in the state, particularly following the 2016 election of Donald Trump, which spurred an increase in Democratic voter turnout.
The GOP’s success in these races was facilitated by the Texas Legislature’s decision to abolish straight-ticket voting, which once allowed voters to select all candidates from one party with a single mark. This change forced voters to consider judicial races more closely, benefiting Republican candidates, who have successfully mobilized their base. Donna García Davidson, an attorney and former judicial candidate, suggested that while the influx of money played a role in promoting law-and-order messages, it was ultimately the focus on crime and public safety that resonated with voters.
