Boosting Judicial Candidates: Dallas GOP's Impact on Voter Engagement

The Power of County Party Support: How Dallas GOP Boosted Judicial Candidates

With over seven years of experience in local politics, I’ve closely followed elections from The White House to the courthouse. Today, I’m sharing insights on how county party support can influence local races, particularly in judicial elections.

 

On August 12th, I attended the “Meet the Judicial Candidates Open House,” hosted by Dallas County Republican Party Chair, Lt. Col. Allen West. Held at the Dallas GOP headquarters, the event attracted a full house, with a live-stream for those unable to attend in person. This was particularly important in a county as large as Dallas.

 

The open house featured candidates for the 5th Court of Appeals: Jessica Lewis-Place 2, Matthew Kolodoski-Place 9, Gino Rossini-Place 11, and Judge JJ Koch for Chief Justice.  Attendees had the chance to meet these candidates, collect business cards, and learn more about each person’s campaign. Chairman West introduced each candidate, highlighting the significance of their races.

Dallas GOP Meet the Judicial Candidates Open House

 

Each candidate then spoke about their reasons for running, the counties they would serve, the length of the term, and their relevant experience. Afterward, there was time for a Q&A session.

 

A significant driver of attendance was likely the recognition of Judge JJ Koch, a familiar name in local politics. Previously a Dallas County Commissioner, Judge Koch was appointed by Governor Abbott in 2023 to serve on Criminal District Court No. 2. Having narrowly lost his 2022 re-election bid, Koch’s return to the political scene energized voters, who were eager to support him once more.

 

Election results later showed that Republicans won eight out of the thirteen contested seats. These judicial candidates, whom I had the opportunity to meet at the Dallas County GOP Judicial Candidate Open House, won largely due to the efforts of the Dallas County Republican Party. By organizing an event that allowed these candidates to engage directly with voters, the GOP helped build crucial support. The stakes were high, as these judicial seats carry six-year terms and serve multiple North Texas counties.

 

In a traditionally blue county like Dallas, these wins represented more than just individual victories—they signaled a "red ripple" that demonstrated the power of strong county party relations with local candidates.