Chapa, age 51, has served on the 4th Court of Appeals since 2013. The El Paso native received her law degree from St. Mary’s University, and her legal practice concentrated on product liability litigation.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I am a 51 year old Texan, originally from El Paso. I have lived in San Antonio for the
last 20 years, working and raising my family. For the past 12 years I have served as a Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals. But most importantly, I am the mother of three children. It is because of them that I have committed my time and efforts to many organizations dedicated to the health and protection of young people. Since 2014, I have served on the board of Clarity Child Guidance Center, the only mental health treatment center in South Texas dedicated to treating children under seventeen. I previously served as Board Chair of Guardian House and Board Vice President of the Healy-Murphy Center. Additionally, I have served on the boards of the St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association, St. Mary’ Hispanic Law Alumni Association and The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio.
Describe your educational background.
After earning my BA in English from St. Mary’s University, I interned on Capitol Hill for U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett and worked for the late US Congressman Frank Tejeda. I returned to San Antonio in 1996 and earned my Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University. During law school, I interned for Fourth Court of Appeals Chief Justice (Ret.) Alma López.
Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
Before being elected to the Fourth Court of Appeals, I practiced law for twelve years as a litigator on both sides of the civil docket. When I was elected in 2012, I was the youngest appellate judge in Texas. I have always strived to maintain the highest standards of ethics and integrity, to uphold the rule of law and to keep partisan politics out of my decisions. As a result of those commitments, my rate of reversal by a higher court is among the very best in Texas — I have authored over 1,400 opinions (and served as a panel member on hundreds more) with only 3 reversals. I am proud to have the broadest bipartisan support, the strongest qualifications and the most appellate experience in the race for Fourth Court of Appeals, Place 4.
Why are you seeking this office and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I am committed to continuing the hard work and upholding the standards of excellence that have characterized my twelve years as a Fourth Court Justice. In today’s polarizing political climate, the integrity and independence of the judiciary are often under attack, but my record of upholding the law as it is written without regard to partisan politics, political pressure or threats from politicians is more important than ever. It is that level of integrity and commitment that keeps the courts from becoming a mere third house of the Legislature or an extension of the executive branch.
I run as a Democrat because Texas requires candidates for judicial office to
align themselves with a political party. However, my loyalty is to the law and to the people of Texas, and I remain committed to keeping partisan politics out of the courthouse and out of my decisions. If re-elected, I will continue to maintain the highest standards of integrity I have demonstrated during my last two terms.
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