KAUFMAN COUNTY - Joseph Russell and Rick Harrison will face off in May for the Kaufman County Court at Law bench.
KAUFMAN COUNTY - Joseph Russell and Rick Harrison will face off in May for the Kaufman County Court at Law bench.
During the Republican Primary General Election on March 5th, four candidates jumped in the race to fill the unexpired term for the Kaufman County Court at Law bench. The vacancy stems from Judge Tracy Gray resigning to run for the newly created 489th District Court and her appointment by Governor Abbott that followed.
In a four-person race, Joseph Russell came out in first place with 4,088 votes (30.59%), and a close second was Rick Harrison with 3,952 votes (29.57%).
Russell, a Texas Tech School of Law graduate and attorney in Kaufman County, has lived with his wife and family in the community for over twenty years. He told inForney.com that he loves Kaufman County and that his goal as a Judge is to protect Kaufman County families from crime.
“I am very humbled and grateful for all the support I have received from the voters and the community. My opponents all ran honorable campaigns that focused on the issues, and I thank them for that. While it is an honor to finish first in the primary, I know I have much more hard work ahead of me, and I will need the community's help to earn this position,” said Russell.
“I love Kaufman County, and my goal is still the same, to protect Kaufman families from crime, and as the next County Court at Law judge, that will be my number one focus from day one.”
A former Kaufman County District Attorney, Rick Harrison, came in second place. On his website and social media, Harrison has stated that he has the experience necessary for the job as a former prosecutor and current defense attorney.
On Harrison's campaign page, he posted a thank-you to the citizens. It states, in part, “Thanks to all of my supporters. It means a lot to this older guy.”
inForney.com reached out to Harrison for comment but had yet to receive a response at the time of publishing.
The run-off election is slated for May 28th, the day after Memorial Day weekend.