"In his 16 years on the bench, Judge Keasler has justifiably earned a sterling reputation as a fair-minded, even-tempered, hard-working jurist. He uses common sense and high ethical standards in the exercise of his authority. He teaches judges nationally, thereby improving the entire judicial system for everyone. He is eminently qualified to sit on the Court of Criminal Appeals." JOE R. GREENHILL, Former Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court

"While the Supreme Court enjoys a fine reputation, regretfully the same cannot be said of the state's highest criminal court, the Court of Criminal Appeals. It is a shambles, riven by partisanship and idealogical jousting, and has a record of unpredictability and inconsistency in application of the law that has left the entire state criminal judicial system in a state of confusion. Incumbent Charlie Baird is a major part of the problem....He is opposed by Mike Keasler, a Dallas district judge with a solid reputation as a legal scholar and expert on legal ethics. He has chaired the ethics committee of the National Conference of State Trial Judges, been dean of the Texas Judicial College and of Texas Regional Judicial Conferences, is on the the faculty of the National Judicial College. He can do much to undo the damage that has been inflicted on this court." THE VICTORIA ADVOCATE, Sunday, October 18, 1998

"During the past five months, I have noticed that the Dallas Morning News has not presented the whole picture of Judge Mike Keasler. What happened to accuracy in reporting? Frankly in May, I seriously questioned why a judge's notes that had been taken from a trash container and held for fifteen years by an acknowledged political enemy, were newsworthy. However, inasmuch as you chose to print the story, I thought the least you would do would be to portray the entire picture of Judge Keasler. Instead, you have chosen to print over and over again, the negative comments that are obviously being orchestrated by his current political foe. Accuracy and fairness dictate that you provide your readers with the whole picture. Fifteen years ago, Judge Keasler admittedly wrote notations, which contained injudicious comments. The statements were inappropriate. The judge acknowledged the mistake and he has publicly and privately apologized. Importantly, more than mere words, Judge Keasler's conduct on the bench and off demonstrates who he is. Before your May story, there were no outcries by attorneys or persons involved with Judge Keasler's court alleging any type of mistreatment arising from racial or ethnic prejudice. In fact, the whole picture is, that during the past ten years, Judge Keasler has been a nationally recognized leader in judicial education, teaching in particular, ethics and gender and racial fairness in the court. Judge Keasler, single-handedly, is the person who brought this issue to the forefront in Texas judicial education programs and has championed the cause of fairness in the courts. During the past ten years, Judge Keasler has devoted the greater part of his off-duty hours to improving the quality of judges. The way I see it, as a young rookie judge, he had things to learn. Judge Keasler made mistakes. He has admitted those mistakes and has apologized for them. Most importantly, Judge Keasler did learn, and he grew, as a person and as a judge. Judge Keasler's efforts to improve the quality of judges have been extraordinary. I am proud of Judge Keasler's conduct and efforts for the past ten-plus years, and I am proud to support him. It is time to provide your readers with the entire picture." BILLIE CLAY, 10036 San Lorenzo, Dallas, Texas, 75228

"I have worked with MIKE KEASLER for over 25 years, through his years as a highly successful prosecutor and a highly respected judge. I have first-hand knowledge that he is tough, fair, and efficient. He teaches trial management nationally, and these same skills have enabled him to stay at the top in the number of cases his court handles since he first took office, even while leading our State’s judges. He is absolutely the best." EARL BULLOCK, Dallas County Clerk

In 1995, 172,476 domestic violence incidents were reported to law enforcement agencies across Texas, a 5.7% increase according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 1985, Judge Keasler began instructing Texas judges how to make courtrooms more hospitable to child-victims of domestic violence. Texas judges use techniques designed to achieve justice at trial and on appeal because of his efforts on behalf of abused adults and children. He volunteered to absorb the expense of the Family Violence Protective Order docket. His work has been continual including, as Dean of the Texas Judicial College in 1992, beginning a program whereby nationally acclaimed faculty instructed Texas judges as to legal, factual, medical, and psychological aspects of domestic violence. As Dean of the Regional Conferences in 1990 and of the College of Advanced Judicial Studies in 1993, he consistently included courses on family violence and sexual assault in judicial education curricula, using the best faculty and materials available nationally. He often served on the faculty and started a pilot program on "The Judicial Response to Stranger and Non-stranger Rape." He works with The Family Place to improve domestic violence education. Let’s work together for a safer Texas. MINNIE ARNOLD, Domestic Violence Advocate

"As a former Dallas County Prosecutor and now a defense attorney, I have had the pleasure of working in Judge Mike Keasler's court from both sides of the bar. I can affirm that he is fair, impartial, and bases his rulings strictly on the law regardless of the nature of the case. This judicial maturity provides Judge Mike Keasler the necessary perspective to preside skillfully on the Court of Criminal Appeals." REY CHAVEZ, Attorney at Law

"During the time Judge Mike Keasler has led Texas judges, our state judicial training has become one of the very best programs in the nation. Programs developed under his direction have sensitized judges to the problems inherent in family violence and child abuse and HAVE SAVED LIVES. The trial management courses have enabled judges to streamline jury trials to the benefit of jurors, victims, and witnesses. Our ethics course is the model for states throughout the nation. He has accomplished all this as a volunteer while keeping his court statistics up. I ask that you elect him to our state’s highest criminal bench." JACK SKEEN, Texas District and County Attorneys Association "Prosecutor of the Year" and Smith County District Attorney

"As a prosecutor and judge, Mike Keasler has a proven record of protecting law-abiding citizens by making sure that felons are punished for their crimes. He has also been a leader in providing family violence training for Texas judges." TIM CURRY, Tarrant County District Attorney

"Please join me in electing Mike Keasler to our Texas Court of Criminal Appeals." JANELLE HAVERKAMP, Cooke County District Attorney

"Decisions made by our Court of Criminal Appeals impact the daily life of every law-abiding Texan. We cannot afford to settle for any less than true scholars of criminal law on this vitally important court. That’s why my support goes to Judge Keasler." RAY HUTCHISON, Former State Party Chairman

"MIKE KEASLER is the one candidate qualified to carry forward the Republican tradition of integrity, scholarship, and judicial excellence on this important bench." MARCIA SAUNDERS, former president Texas Federation of Republican Women

"In comparing the candidates, Mike Keasler is absolutely the best qualified." BETTY HILL, Lt. Col. USAF, Retired

"I have known Judge Keasler since he started working for Dallas County. He is a tough, dedicated judge and has always had outstanding Republican credentials." SUE DANIEL, Dallas County Precinct Chairman

"Judge Mike Keasler’s sense of ethics is extraordinary. His dedication to our justice system is exemplary. His support of our Republican Party is excellent. Whenever anyone has called upon him for help or to provide leadership, he has provided it willingly. As someone who appreciates hard-working, dedicated elected officials, I whole-heartedly endorse Judge Mike Keasler." JAN WOODY, 12-year suicide and crisis hotline volunteer, Volunteer of the Year State Senate 8 and of Farmers Branch Women's Club twice, past president of three Republican clubs, Headquarters Chairman of the Dallas County Republican Party, Precinct Chairman

"Randall County Criminal District Attorney James Farren, a Republican, put in a surprise appearance [at a news meeting] and gave Keasler an impromptu endorsement... 'Judge Baird historically has not been fair to law enforcement,' Farren said. 'Judge Baird has proven over and over again that he will not be fair to law enforcement. I urge you to vote for Judge Keasler.' Keasler, 56, was appointed a district judge in 1981 by former Gov. Bill Clements, who has endorsed him in the race. He served 12 years as an assistant district attorney in Dallas and says he is the only candidate in the race who has prosecuted, defended, and judged criminal cases. 'Prosecutors and defense lawyers alike are looking for fairness, clarity, predictability, and consistency from a judge,' Keasler said. 'You don't want a criminal defense lawyer in a robe on the bench.' Keasler said. 'Neither do you want a prosecutor in a robe on the bench.'" Amarillo Daily News 10/28/98