George Barnstone is running for Harris County Civil Court at Law # 1.
I am a volunteer this campaign season. I am not a lawyer.
I know George Barnstone from some 15 years ago when we served together on the board of Houston ACLU. He has practiced law some 20 years, has his degree from the University of Houston Law Center.
He once served on the national board of Pacifica, taking part in rebuffing an attempted hostile takeover of Pacifica. His mother Gertrude Barnstone, served on the Houston school board in the 1960's.
He has been a lawyer since 1994, having practiced in the County Civil Courts at Law. He isa member of the Texas Bar College and of of the Harris County Democratic Lawyers' Association.
County Courts at Law have been created by the Legislature in the most populous counties and handle cases of less magnitude generally than those in district courts.
The GOP incumbent was recently appointed to this court to fill a vacancy left when the previous judge was appointed to a higher court. Vacancies in Texas courts are filled by appointment, by the Governor or by the County Commissioners.
Last Christmas time George Barnstone kindly hosted at his house a fundraising party for the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. His spouse is Frances Barnstone; the glbt movement does have non-gay support.
The final election date is Tuesday, Nov. 8. To vote you must be registered in Harris County at least 30 days prior to Nov. 8. Early voting starts Monday Oct. 24. Voting early gives one time to rectify problems, avoid long lines at the polls. You may vote early at any of the locations in Harris County, but on Nov. 8 you must vote at your precinct location.