Terrie Livingston appointed to head 2nd Court of Appeals

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Terrie Livingston (pictured) as chief justice of the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. She replaces former Chief Justice John Cayce, who resigned as of Dec. 31, 2009, to join Fort Worth’s Kelly Hart Hallman. Livingston, who has served on the 2nd Court since 1994 and is the court’s longest-serving justice, says she is “flattered and honored” by the governor’s appointment and looks forward to serving as chief justice. “It’s been a goal of mine,” she says. Livingston’s appointed term extends only until the Nov. 2 election. Allen Williamson, Wise County Republican Party chairman, says the GOP county chairs for the 12 counties in the 2nd Court’s district are scheduled to meet May 22 in Decatur to nominate the party’s candidate for the chief justice’s position on the November ballot. Williamson, a partner in Simpson, Boyd & Powers in Decatur, says Livingston is the only applicant for the post. “We’re going to finalize her [Livingston’s] position on the ballot,” he says. Texas Election Code §202.0065 provides, “A political party’s state, district, county or precinct executive committee, as appropriate for the particular office may nominate a candidate for the unexpired term.” Kirsten Gray, spokeswoman for the Texas Democratic Party, says, “We’ll be looking at the situation and seeing if we have the opportunity to nominate someone. Right now, no one has filed for that seat.”
-- Mary Alice Robbins