By Ashley Moss
Staff Writer
As many around the country grieve the loss of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, female leaders from the Texas Democratic Party gathered online to weigh in on the impact of Justice Ginsburg’s work and why justice matters. The conversation featured Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in addition to the four women Supreme Court nominees, including Judge Amy Clark Meachum, Judge Staci Williams, Kathy Cheng, and Gisela Triana.
Justice Ginsburg, who served on the Supreme Court for 27 years, died on September 18 at the age of 87, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. As only the second woman to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ginsburg made significant strides on the bench and was known for her advocacy of many protections for Americans, including gender equality and voter rights.
Supreme Court justices are nominated to the bench by sitting presidents, but must be approved by the Senate. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to hold a confirmation vote of President Trump’s nominee before the election in November.
Here are their thoughts:
Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair Dr. Carla Brailey:
“Justice Ginsberg was more than just a brilliant jurist, she was also a symbol for what we value as Americans. She believed in inclusion and creating a fair and equal workplace for all genders. She also believed in the idea that all Americans should have access to affordable healthcare.
“Our state and federal court system is a great value to all those living within Texas. They allow those who have been wronged by unfair laws and policy initiatives to seek justice and presents an opportunity if deemed unconstitutional to strike down those laws.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee:
“Our state and federal court system is a great value to all those living within Texas. They allow those who have been wronged by unfair laws and policy initiatives to seek justice and presents an opportunity if deemed unconstitutional to strike down those laws.”
Judge Amy Clark Meachum:
“It is time for a new generation of judicial thought leaders to bring much needed fairness and balance to the all Republican Supreme Court of Texas. Texas has never elected a woman Chief Justice and I am proud to be the first one to run for this office. We need a system of justice in this state that respects the US Constitution and Texas Constitution, protects the vital roles of citizen juries, and addresses the economic barriers that too often prevent women, persons of color and working families from seeking and obtaining justice. We need judges who value public service over special interest. Texas needs impartial judges who listen to science and evidence-based facts.
Judge Staci Williams:
“The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made it her mission to create equality between men and women, but there is no equity concerning women if access for all to the ballot box is an issue. Just like the U.S. Supreme court, the Texas Supreme Court makes decisions that affect the day to day lives of Everyday Texans. And simply put, the Texas Supreme Court has lost touch with the Everyday Texan. And even looking at their decision during the COVID-19 pandemic on vote-by-mail and evictions and foreclosures, they did not take the interests of the people. If elected I will become the first African-American to be elected to the Supreme Court of Texas.”
Democratic Supreme Court Candidate Kathy Cheng:
“From the little mom and pop business owners to the upper business class, folks don’t realize justice isn’t just, it’s actually for sale at the Texas Supreme Court. When we look at our current Texas Supreme Court situation, our justices are beholden to those who appointed them and to the donors who donated to their campaigns. To me, that’s not justice.
Democratic Supreme Court Candidate Gisela Triana:
“As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the greatest menace to freedom is inert people. At a time when we have an administration who is trying to thwart the voters by packing the U.S. Supreme Court, I believe it is imperative for the voters of Texas to look at the people running for the Texas Supreme Court and make your decisions knowing the justices on that court will be deciding issues that deal with women’s rights, that have to do with criminal justice for juveniles, and how deal with treat the most vulnerable people in our society. We currently have a Supreme Court that has been complicit with the Republican Party in trying to subvert the vote at a time when we need more civic participation, at a time when we need more balance in our government, at a time of civil unrest like we haven’t had since the 1960s, we need judges who will protect everyone’s rights. Justice is on the ballot this November.”
