By Jennifer Bendery, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Describing him as "a strict constructionist" who understands that the role of a judge is to "interpret and apply the law, not create it from the bench," Gov. Rick Perry today named Don Willett of Austin to the Texas Supreme Court. Willett, who is currently chief legal counsel to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, fills a vacancy on the bench created by the appointment of Justice Priscilla Owen as a federal judge.
"Justice Willett joins a long and distinguished list of previous justices whose appointment to a high court was the first time they put on the robe," said Perry. These justices include Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson of the Texas Supreme Court and Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court. Willett's appointment "will allow the court to benefit not only from his unique combination of skills and expertise but also a more diverse array of professional backgrounds," said the governor.
The first in his family to attend college, Willett has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General and as an advisor to President George W. Bush. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the First Amendment Institute and serves on the advisory board of the Federalist Society. Willet also serves on the boards of the National Fatherhood Institute, SafePlace and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas.
Perry said Willett will make "an outstanding justice" because of his "valuable experience enforcing our laws in the public sector and a reputation for taking a thoughtful, scholarly approach to the law." Willett has earned the trust of the President of the United States, the Attorney General of Texas, and has "my confidence as governor because he is a hard worker" and "a bright scholar," said Perry.
When constituting a high court, it is one of the most "consequential and important decisions" a governor makes, said Willett. "I accept this with gusto. I am honored and humbled." He became choked up when describing how his widowed mother "hunkered down and waited tables at numerous catfish palaces" for nearly half a century to support him. Describing his predecessor as "the embodiment of grace and grit," Willett added that if he can be half of the person Owen is, "I will count myself profoundly blessed."
Abbott said Perry makes the Texas Supreme Court better with Willett's appointment, and as a result, Willett will make the state better. Willett and the high court "are a perfect fit for each other," he said. "No one is more qualified." Abbott praised Willett for his work in overseeing hundreds of opinions and thousands of open records requests during his tenure in the Attorney General's Office.
Willett noted that he is recusing himself from the school finance lawsuit currently before the Texas Supreme Court because it is "the prudent thing to do." When asked if he recently moved out of Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos' (D-Austin) district and into Sen. Jeff Wentworth's (R-San Antonio) district because Barrientos previously blocked Willett's appointment to the high court, Willett said he moved because he needed a bigger house to accommodate having kids.
When asked about his previous work supporting faith-based initiatives, Willett said he is proud of the work he did for President Bush but that his political views "have no ounce of weight" when it comes to how he will make opinions as a judge.
Alex Winslow, executive director of Texas Watch, expressed hope that Willett will bring some balance to the high court. "The Texas Supreme Court desperately needs someone who can relate to the needs of Texas families who find themselves up against powerful insurance companies and corporate wrongdoers," he said. The Court "has become dramatically more pro-defendant, ruling in favor of corporate and insurance interests over individuals and families" as a result of appointments made since Perry became governor in 2001, said Winslow.
Willett avoids having to go before the Senate for confirmation since his appointment falls between regular legislative sessions. In light of his legal background being largely limited to administrative duties for government agencies and political operations, Winslow expressed some uncertainty about Willett's judicial temperament and urged "a full vetting" of his background, either through the electoral process or Senate hearings.