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Victoria County Court-at-Law No. 2 Republican candidate profiles

Judge candidates campaign on experience

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Campaign video submitted by Dan Gilliam
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  • BY GABE SEMENZA - GSEMENZA@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published February 9, 2010 at 4:15 p.m., updated February 11, 2010 at 10:55 a.m.

  • CANDIDATE FACTS

    NAME: Travis Ernst

    AGE: 38

    OCCUPATION: Lawyer

    CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria

    CONTACT INFORMATION: 361-570-8060 or www.TravisHErnst.com.

    NAME: Daniel Gilliam

    AGE: 49

    OCCUPATION: Lawyer

    CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria

    CONTACT INFORMATION: www.DanGilliamForVictoria.com.

    Profiles already published

    Jan. 19: Calhoun ...

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    • CANDIDATE FACTS

    NAME: Travis Ernst

    AGE: 38

    OCCUPATION: Lawyer

    CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria

    CONTACT INFORMATION: 361-570-8060 or www.TravisHErnst.com.

    NAME: Daniel Gilliam

    AGE: 49

    OCCUPATION: Lawyer

    CITY OF RESIDENCE: Victoria

    CONTACT INFORMATION: www.DanGilliamForVictoria.com.

    Profiles already published

    Jan. 19: Calhoun County judge, Democrats

    Jan. 19: Calhoun County Democrats uncontested ballot

    Jan. 20: Calhoun County Commissioner Precinct 2, Republicans.

    Jan. 20: Calhoun County Republican uncontested ballot.

    Jan. 21: DeWitt County commissioner Precinct 4, Democrat

    Jan. 21: DeWitt County Democratic uncontested ballot.

    Jan. 22: DeWitt County Republican county judge.

    Jan. 23: DeWitt County Republican county clerk.

    Jan. 24: DeWitt County Republican Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1.

    Jan. 25: Goliad County Republican County Judge

    Jan. 25: Goliad County Republican uncontested ballot.

    Jan. 26: Goliad County Democratic County Commissioner, Precinct 2.

    Jan. 27: Jackson County Democratic Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1

    Jan. 27: Jackson County Democratic uncontested ballot.

    Jan. 28: Jackson County Republican County Clerk

    Jan. 28: Jackson County Republican uncontested ballot

    Jan. 29: Lavaca County Democratic Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4

    Jan. 29: Lavaca County Democratic uncontested ballot

    Jan. 29: Lavaca County Republican District Clerk

    Jan. 29: Lavaca County Republican uncontested ballot

    Jan. 30: Refugio County Democratic County Judge

    Jan. 30: Refugio County Democratic uncontested ballot

    Jan. 31: Refugio County Democratic County Clerk

    Jan. 31: Refugio County Republican uncontested ballot

    Feb. 1: Refugio County Democratic Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

    Feb. 2: Victoria County Democratic Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

    Feb. 3: Victoria County Republican County Commissioner Precinct 4

    Feb. 4: Victoria County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1

    Feb. 5: Victoria County Democratic County Clerk

    Feb. 5: Victoria County Democratic District Attorney

    Feb. 5: Victoria County Democratic uncontested ballot

    Feb. 6: Victoria County Democratic County Judge

    Feb. 8: Victoria County Democratic Commissioner Precinct 4.

    Feb. 9: Victoria County Republican County Commissioner, Precinct 2

Editor's Note: The primary elections for the Republican and Democratic parties are March 2. To help our readers learn more about the candidates in the contested races in each primary, the Advocate is publishing profiles of the candidates.

Today's candidates are seeking the Republican Party nomination for Victoria County Court-at-Law No. 2.

Travis Ernst and Daniel Gilliam debate about who has the best pedigree, but they agree resumes will largely determine who wins the election.

Ernst and Gilliam are candidates in the Republican primary race for Victoria County Court-at-Law Judge No. 2. Each said the candidate to win should offer the best chance of a smooth transition and the experience needed to run a hectic courtroom.

The position, held by Juan Velasquez III since it was created in September 1983, will be vacated because the incumbent chose to not seek re-election.

County courts-at-law primarily handle misdemeanor crimes and juvenile cases, as well as mental commitments, guardianships and such civil cases as will probates.

Ernst, 38, said his 11 years as a Victoria courtroom lawyer primed him for a spot on the bench.

"The issue for voters is that in order to keep this court effective and efficient, a candidate such as myself who is in that courtroom on a daily basis for the last 11 years would make for a smoother transition," Ernst said. "There would be no learning curve."

A native of Victoria, Ernst earned in 1993 a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a law degree in 1997 from Texas Southern University in Houston in 1997. Since, he spent most of his time in the courtroom.

"I can tell you that in the last 10 years things have changed and I've evolved with it," Ernst said. "I've been practicing criminal work, juvenile work - handled all the types of cases that go through that court. That type of experience makes me the better candidate."

Gilliam, 49, is a longtime local attorney and former Victoria County prosecutor. He worked as the assistant criminal district attorney under George Filley III from 1990 to 1998. He handled misdemeanor and felony cases and civil bond forfeitures. He also argued appellate cases before the 13th Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi.

"The most pressing issues are qualifications and experience of the candidate," Gilliam said. "Secondly, it's preserving the efficiency and integrity of the court by keeping the dockets moving forward without sacrificing the administration of justice. I'm the only candidate with 23 years in the practice of the law, both civil and criminal."

Gilliam said his experience as a prosecutor taught him firsthand that courtroom decisions can alter people's lives.

"You have to take into account many different perspectives," he said. "You have to look through the eyes of the victim, the defendant to a certain degree and the eyes of the community. You have to balance that out. My prosecutorial background teaches you to make decisions. I'm a better, more rounded candidate."

Both men praised Velasquez, the outgoing incumbent, for operating an efficient, effective court. Each candidate also shared similar thoughts for a potential change to court procedure.

Ernst and Gilliam said that, if elected , they would consider separating the civil and criminal dockets. Doing so would keep will and probate visitors, for example, away from the accused criminals they're often forced to sit near.


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Comments

  • Oilman Oilman Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I know both candidates. All the dealings I have had with Mr. Gilliam were very profesional and timely. I only know Mr. Ernst personnaly when he was a young adult. I hope the arrogance and attitude have gone away if he wins this election. Wondering if he just wants the "Judge" title.

    February 9, 2010 at 10:44 p.m.
  • onlooker onlooker Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I don't know of either of these candidates. This story does not clarify, is this Ernst a criminal defender, or prosecutor? If not the latter, I would wonder if he would be partial, easy on the criminals? Gilliam seems the better candidate as a former prosecutor.

    February 9, 2010 at 10:14 p.m.