AUSTIN, TX – In the Texas State Bar Judicial Poll, a majority of the votes by Texas lawyers and judges affirmed Keith Hampton as their choice, beating current incumbent Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller, 52 to 38 percent.

Of the nearly 9,300 Bar members who cast their votes between April 8th and May 8th to decide the best qualified person for this position, more judges and lawyers voted for Hampton than any other judicial candidate for the Court, incumbent or challenger.  The vote for Hampton even exceeded every current incumbent and challenger in virturally every race throughout Texas, including the Texas Supreme Court race.

“The vote is significant because the Bar consists of Republicans, Independents and Democrats, all of whom are clearly concerned about this race and want a fresh direction for the Court,” said Hampton.

Judge Keller has been rebuked by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and fined $100,000 by the Texas Ethics Commission.

The Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in Texas and is the only Court which reviews death sentences. Hampton has broader experience with death penalty cases than all the current sitting judges combined. All nine seats on the Court of Criminal Appeals are held by Republicans. Hampton is a Democrat.

“The lawyers and judges of Texas have now spoken, and voters in November will have the benefit of their collective considered opinion,” Hampton said.

Keith Hampton was also voted “Most Qualified” in the Judicial Bar Poll when he ran for the Court in 2010.

Keith Hampton: For over twenty years, Keith has defended the Texas Constitution and the Constitution of the United States in hundreds of cases. As a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, an active member of the criminal defense bar, and a member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, Keith has tirelessly worked for fairness, integrity and justice for all Texans. If elected, Keith Hampton would be the only judge who has handled death penalty cases in all stages of litigation – from accusation, trial, appeal and all post-conviction proceedings, including appearing before the Supreme Court of the United States.