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Smith, Walker win county judge posts

By Dan Eakin, deakin@starlocalnews.com

Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2012 12:38 PM CDT

Two new judges will soon be on Collin County benches.

Ben Smith defeated Terri Green for the 380th District Court judge post in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff election, and Barnett Walker was victorious over Sharon Ramage for the County Court at Law Number Two judge seat.

Smith received 18,882 votes, or 57.19 percent, while Green received 14,089 votes, or 42.81 percent. Walker received 19,618 votes, or 59.21 percent, while Ramage received 13,513 votes, or 40.79 percent.

Smith will fill the 380th District Court judge seat that was vacated when Suzanne Wooten, who was elected to the post in 2008, was found guilty in November of bribery and related charges. Smith could resume duties next January or even before if the state decides to instate him into the position.

Smith has no Democratic opponent in November's general election.

After all votes were counted from the county's 202 precincts, Smith said, "I am so honored to have been elected by the voters of Collin County to be the next judge of the 380th District Court. All glory to God, who has provided for me and my family throughout this campaign and opened so many doors."

He added, "This has been an exciting campaign, and I'm looking forward to serving the citizens of Collin County. I want to thank all of my family and friends who have supported me and volunteered

throughout these many months."

Green also expressed thanks to all who supported her during the campaign.

"I especially want to thank those who stood out in the hot sun and held up signs for me, for those who attended rallies and all who supported me in any way."

She said she also thanked her mother, who died several years ago and who always wanted her to be a judge.

"I believe she was looking down from Heaven and was proud of me for running an ethical race," said Green, who was known for supporting Teen Court and volunteering for numerous county projects. "I still believe God has something ahead for me in which I can serve Collin County."

She congratulated Smith and his supporters, stating, "They ran a tough campaign."

Smith and Green were forced into a runoff in the May 29 Republican primary after neither one received more than 50 percent of the vote. In that race, Smith got 35.86 percent of the vote while Green got 28.54 percent. Jody Johnson received 22.03 percent, and Chip Jarvis 13.56 percent in the May 29 election.

Walker and Ramage also had to campaign for two more months after neither of them received a majority of the vote May 29. In that campaign, Walker received the most votes, with 43.44 percent. Ramage got 35.24 percent, and Gene Sera received 21.32 percent.

Following the runoff election this week, Walker said, "I am incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support I received during this election. Nearly 20,000 people chose to place their faith and trust in me to serve this great county. I will do everything within my power to represent you with dignity and honor. This has been an incredibly long and often trying campaign cycle, and none of this would have been possible without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the support of family and friends."

He added. "I will be closing my law practice and preparing to assume the bench over the next several weeks. During that time, I will also be making the rounds to personally thank as many of you as possible. For now, I want to thank Cathie Adams, Jodie Laubenberg, Pastors Mike Buster and Marc Rylander, and our entire Prestonwood Baptist Church family, along with the Collin County Conservative Republicans, Collin County Deputies Association, Plano Police Association, Frisco Police Association, North Texas Tea Party, and Coalition for Better Government who endorsed our campaign."

After election totals were in, Ramage said, "I am proud of the campaign I ran, and I wish Mr. Walker the best. I wish to thank all of my supporters who put a lot of time, talent and effort into the campaign."

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