Joe Pool
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Pool
Party
Republican
Election Year
2016
Election
Primary
Race
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 9
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
UT, Austin, Texas, BA, 1977
UT Law, Austin, Texas, JD, 1980
McCombs Business School, Austin, Texas, MPA, NC
WORK & MILITARY
Alden, Inc., President, 1985-1989
IDGAS, Inc., General Counsel, 1988-2016
Trans Texas Holdings Corporation, President General Counsel, 1998-2016
Dripping Springs Water Supply Corp., General Counsel, 2003-2005
AFFILIATIONS
Tarrytown United Methodist, Pool Family, Dripping Springs United Methodist
Pool Family, Austin School Of Film, General Counsel
Media In Motion, Pro Bono Attorney, Austin Municipal Soccer League
Founder Board Of Captains, Republican Liberty Caucus, Member
Texas Young Republicans Convention, Sponsor, Texas Eagle Forum
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Texas Supreme Court, Place 4, 2012
Texas Supreme Court, Place 6, 2014
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
David Parker
Paul Koester
Dave Elmendorf
Constitutions.US
Justin Machacek Tarrant County RLC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Jason Isaac
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
National Republican Congressional Committee
Republican Women's Organizations
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Election of judges by the people for a definite term of office is the best way to select judges.
Strongly Agree
Which current justice on the U.S. Supreme Court best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Scalia
Which of the following U.S. presidents best reflects your political philosophy?
Reagan
The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
George Washington's comment that “Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society” is still true today.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Strongly Disagree
Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
God, Constitution, Congress, Supreme Court, Voters
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
As men or women we are all susceptible to temptation. Every person possesses the ability to sin, some more than others. This led to a very robust constitution which defines our social contract we are born into and subject to as United States Citizens. It is in the nature of man to suffer from greed. The Founders knew this and provided three separate branches of our government so no group of citizen representatives, executives or jurists could by themselves allocate budgets and spend tax $.
What is the proper use of legislative history in interpreting statutory law?
First look to the plain language of a statute. Interpret its application according to facts and circumstances presented. Look to manifest an outcome that reflects the statutory words used. If statutory application to the facts and circumstances is still unclear then, and only then, may legislative history shed a light upon statutory application. Legislative history should never be used to revive or sustain statutes which are by their very words impossible to rectify with logic.
What specific text in the Declaration of Independence provides the critical basis for individual rights and the form of government guaranteed in the United States Constitution?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
In which partisan primary election did you most recently vote (e.g. Democratic, Republican, etc.)?
Republican
The U.S. Constitution and my state constitution should be interpreted as living documents, rather than use a strict constructionist or originalist philosophy.
Strongly Disagree
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges allowing members of the same sex to marry, which justice’s opinion in that case most closely approximates your understanding of marriage?
Clarence Thomas & Scalia
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I chose and accepted Christ as my savior at an early age. In 1968 when I was twelve years old my father died. Five months later my only grandparent, my grandfather died. Two weeks later his daughter, my mother, Elizabeth Pool, died in a fire. I was confused, distraught and unruly for years. I justified continued bad behavior on my improvident providence. It was fortunate for me that I was accepted by and sent to Saint Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin. There I was guided to Christ by Rev. Sam Todd and eventually was moved to take and excel in his theology class as a senior. He taught me that God always has a plan and it is not possible for a parishioner to perceive the infinite in all its glory. He told me once that great things are expected, no demanded, from those who have experienced improvident providence. These words have been a blessing as I experienced more improvident providence in my professional life which has brought me here to you.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Very Conservative
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
My commitment to preserving, protecting and defending our constitutions has been tested by the Supreme Court Of Texas which included my opponent. This happened when SCoTX refused to review Leslie Pool's, my wife's, petition for review of her father's "forged" will. In that case Leslie was summarily denied her Constitutions' right to a civil jury trial and her Probate Code right to make her sister prove in front of a jury that the "will" was valid before a jury of her peers. Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman imposed numerous and excessive fines upon Leslie and myself for contesting the validity of an obviously forged will. Adding insult to unconstitutionality the 3rd Court of Appeals imposed an additional $30,000 fine upon Leslie for appealing the summary denial of her rights. The sister later filed a State Bar of Texas grievance against me for representing Leslie in contesting her father's forged will. SCoTX & State Bar threatened my license with Res Judicata summary judgment.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
email: action@jp4sc.com 512-894-4300
Additional comment from candidate:
Make Texas Great Again The following links may provide voters with helpful information: SCoTX Order Allowing Minor To Bypass Parents'Consent/Notice For An Abortion. This order highlights a separation of powers issue as SCoTX is not required to effectuate unconstitutional legislative statutes. http://www.txcourts.gov/media/1225647/159246.pdf SCoTX allows cities around Houston to fund Greater Houston Partnership Booster Club immune from Texas Public Information Act. http://bigjollypolitics.com/eva-guzman-just-protect-planned-parenthood-texas/ SCoTX allows taking of work truck for a DWI arrest without compensation. http://ij.org/case/state-of-texas-v-one-2004-chevrolet-silverado/ Four SCoTX dissenters say occupational licensing trumps protecting economic liberty https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/06/26/texas-supreme-court-somewhat-reinvigorates-substantive-due-process-protection-for-economic-liberty/
