Texas has become the first state to name an official "Tweeter Laureate," and its recipient is not a star quarterback, or pop star but a state Supreme Court justice.
The Texas House recognized Republican DonWillett as a "lively and engaging presence on Twitter." Despite a heavy workload on the state's highest civil court, Willett tweets at least 10 times daily.
Like the state's "Poet Laureate," also appointed by lawmakers, the recognition is ceremonial.
Willett has 17,000 followers, not bad for a judge. Here’s how he describes himself in 140 characters:
Justice on the Texas Supreme Court. Former drummer & rodeo bull rider. Fluent in legalese. Baller. Extravagantly blessed husband & cofounder of 3 wee Willetts.
His follower count is less than a fifth of University of Texas football Coach Charlie Strong, who tweets far less frequently.
Other Texas judges, though, find social media harder to master.
A Galveston judge was recently sanctioned for commented on Facebook about a case before her court.
Here are a few tweets from Justice Willett:
Top 3 achievements of the 2015 Legislature:
— Judge Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) June 3, 2015
✪ June 28—HR 3375, naming me "Tweeter Laureate of Texas"
✪ "
✪ " pic.twitter.com/4cNR7DNu6r
You had one job, Siri. pic.twitter.com/SjvRs37mPm
— Judge Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) June 5, 2015
Advice—
— Judge Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) June 5, 2015
Do NOT spill Rice Krispies & Fruity Pebbles in the hotel elevator when Mommy's around! pic.twitter.com/Iu1kUqZilm
Slow clap for the first presidential candidate to say, "I wouldn't touch the metric system with a 3.048-meter pole." pic.twitter.com/AKpsQATk3p
— Judge Don Willett (@JusticeWillett) June 4, 2015
This report was provided by the Associated Press.
