On June 27, 2016, I celebrated the first anniversary of my initial election as Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP). I am honored to have been elected by the precinct chairs in 2015, and to have been re-elected by the Democrats of Dallas County on March 1, 2016.

Most of you know that our County Executive Committee (CEC), comprised of the DCDP Precinct Chairs and the Chair, is responsible for selecting candidates to fill vacancies on the ballot. In fact, on June 27, 2015, the CEC selected a Chair to fill the vacancy left when Darlene Ewing, our Chair of the past 10 years, resigned to run for Judge of the 254th District Court. Coincidently, one year later to the day, the CEC assembled this week to select the Democratic nominee to fill the vacancy left by the passing of our friend and jurist, Judge Phyllis Lister Brown.

On Monday, three candidates addressed the CEC: Attorney Maricela Moore; Attorney Larry Praeger; and Associate Judge Monica Purdy. All three had impressive resumes. The CEC voted by written ballots and the ballots were counted by non-precinct chairs, supervised by Texas Democratic Party Parliamentarian George Nassar. Each candidate was invited to designate a representative to observe the process. By majority vote, the CEC selected Maricela Moore to be the Democratic nominee on the General Election ballot for Judge of the 162nd District Court.

For those not involved in politics, it might be difficult to understand how much difference judges can make. As evidence of their importance, we need only point to this week's U.S. Supreme Court decision, holding the 2013 Texas Anti-Abortion Bill (House Bill 2) unconstitutional. The Court struck down the burdensome limitations imposed by the Republicans of the Texas Legislature upon Texas women under the guise of "protection." (Many of us can remember when governments imposed limitations on full-time employment of women, claiming they were simply protecting women.) As a result of the recent Supreme Court decision, Texas women can make their own health decisions.

Not every case will present us with decisions as significant as the above-mentioned opinion. However, every case is significant to the parties and attorneys involved in that case. They ask for a judge who will be fair and impartial, one who will listen to the evidence, guide the jury in an unbiased manner and apply the law fairly.

As Democrats, we can be proud of our judiciary. Due to the hard work of Democrats throughout Dallas County, every judge elected on the county level is a Democrat. They are fair and impartial, and we are proud to call them "judge."

Thanks to all of you who have helped to elect great judges in Dallas County. As the General Election approaches (on November 8th), we need your help to elect many more Democrats. Here's how you can help: