Christine Vinh Weems
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Christine Vinh Weems
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
South Texas College of Law, Houston, JD, 2000
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, BA, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
University of Houston Law Center, Director of Mock Trial; Adjunct Professor, Cone Man Running Productions
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
281st Civil District Court Judge, 2019 - present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (19)
Emily's List
Gene Wu
Beto O'Rourke
Austin Young Democrats
Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
OTHER (1)
Mothers Against Greg Abbott PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Mexican American Bar Association Houston
Austin Black Lawyers Association
Area 5 Democrats
Bay Area Democratic Movement
Bay Area New Democrats
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Bracewell LLP (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (11)
ActBlue (2024)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2024)
Local, County, District, and State Democrat Women (2024)
Asian American Democrats of Texas (2022)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (9)
Gene Wu (2024)
Clubs in Action (2023)
Karla Jurvetson (2023)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2023)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
“My opponent is actually a former trial judge here in Harris County. However, I believe the unique perspective I bring is that I was a trial lawyer before I ever took the bench. Now, as a trial judge, I think practically about the impact my rulings have on the litigants in the cases I handle, not just theoretically. I think that practical consideration may have been somewhat lost in the thinking of the Supreme Court, where they seem to focus solely on the law. Of course, we are supposed to follow the law, but there is always that public policy aspect to consider: how do these decisions impact and affect people? Having represented individuals and businesses in court, I believe that knowledge will carry me a long way in viewing a case—not just as 'this is what the law says, so this is what we have to do.'” —Judge Christine Weems
(See Houston Law Nerd Podcast, with Dylan Russell: Episode 12 - Judge Christine Weems, 281st Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas, Double-Board Certified Attorney, and Candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Dec 29, 2023)
In 2022, Judge Christine Weems issued a temporary restraining order that prevented district attorneys and state agencies in Texas from enforcing the state's pre-1973 abortion ban. This order, which followed a lawsuit by several abortion facilities, permitted abortions up to six weeks of gestation to resume without the risk of prosecution.
For further details, see:
- "Judge Blocks District Attorneys in Major Texas Counties From Enforcing Pre-Roe Abortion Ban." The Texan. 28 Jun 2022.
- "Texas judge blocks state’s pre-Roe abortion ban, allows some abortions to continue." Texas Standard. 28 June 2022.
- "Abortion services to resume at some Texas clinics after judge blocks pre-Roe ban." Austin American Statesman. 28 Jun 2022.
"I mean, right now, they're all Republicans. I'm a Democrat. We haven't had a Democrat win statewide in over 30 years, so it's kind of a daunting prospect. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, right? At some point, you know, the pendulum is going to swing the other way. When that happens, there need to be qualified members of the judiciary willing to step up and run for those positions because it is a heavy lift. But ultimately, when it changes, there needs to be a qualified person running, not just some sacrificial lamb—someone willing to run statewide and be a warm body. I know that's not what I am. If I am lucky enough to get elected, I will learn the job because it is a different job."—Judge Christine Weems
(See Houston Law Nerd Podcast, with Dylan Russell: Episode 12 - Judge Christine Weems, 281st Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas, Double-Board Certified Attorney, and Candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Dec 29, 2023)
"I've spent my career fighting to protect the rights of Texans, but right now our justice system is on the line. The highest court in the state is of one political mind. That needs to change. I'm running to bring impartiality, fairness, and balance to the court."
Endorsed by Her Bold Move.
Endorsed by Ron Nirenberg.
"I practice judicial discretion and equity." — Christine Vinh Weems
"The judicial canons prohibit candidates and judges from talking about their position on crucial issues the voters want to know about. For example, I can't tell you my position on abortion or election reform because those kind of cases come before the Court. But I can tell you that I'm a democrat and that gives the voters some guidance as to my values and what I believe."— Christine Vinh Weems
"The Texas Supreme Court routinely considers so many issues that affect all Texans, like women's reproductive health, voting rights, the constitutionality of state laws. I think the most pressing issue is recusal. Judges are supposed to recuse themself from a case if there is even the appearance of a conflict of interest and that is not happening. It erodes confidence and trust in the Court."— Christine Vinh Weems
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from providing my position on matters that may come before me.
I support a right to accelerate ending a human life.
Did not answer
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Did not answer
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in leaving a place better than you found it. That is why I run for office.
What is your view of parental rights regarding the upbringing of children, specifically education and sexual "identity"?
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from discussing matters that can come before me.
I support "gender identity" as a specially protected class. Please explain.
Did not answer
What do you believe to be true about the human condition?
That we are all individuals deserving of love and respect.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What, if any, church or organizations do you belong to?
American Board of Trial Advocates Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators Texas Association of District Judges Cone Man Running Productions
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2014 General Election 2016 General Election 2018 Democratic Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Democratic Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Democratic Primary 2022 General Election
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else? Please explain.
I decide cases based on the evidence and the law.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Did not answer
Is there a separation of church and state in the Constitution? Please explain.
Yes.
Should courts address threats to religious liberty in the United States? If so, how?
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from expressing an opinion on an issue that may come before me.
Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from expressing an opinion on an issue that may come before me.
Was Bostock v. Clayton County rightly decided under the law? Please explain.
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from expressing an opinion on an issue that may come before me.
I agree that “the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.” (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65-66 (2000); quoting Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).
Did not answer
What should a judge do when legislative texts and court precedents dictate different results?
That is why there is judicial discretion.
When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from expressing an opinion on an issue that may come before me.
When, if ever, should a judge take popular opinion or the social views of the majority into consideration?
Did not answer
Do you believe the meaning of the Constitution changes over time, absent changes through the amendment process of Article V?
Did not answer
What do you believe is the single most important quality a judge should possess?
Thoughtfulness.
If you are an incumbent judge, describe a recent instance in which you acted to preserve your judicial independence. If you are an aspiring judge, how do you plan to remain independent if elected to the bench?
Every day with every ruling, I exercise judicial independence because I decide cases on evidence and the law.
2ND AMENDMENT
The right to bear arms is fundamental and must be protected.
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
As a judge, the judicial canons prohibit me from expressing an opinion on an issue that may come before me.
How should the court address public health and individual freedoms in the time of a public health emergency?
Did not answer
