Campaign Email: info@adams-hurta.com
Campaign Website: www.adams-hurta.com
Summary of Candidate Professional/Civic Background:
Michael Adams-Hurta is a native Texan, lifelong Democrat, and experienced appeals attorney. Michael started his career working for two distinguished judges – a federal judge in Laredo, TX and then a justice on the Texas Supreme Court. Now, Michael is the partner at Texas’s largest appellate law firm, where he practices in courts of appeals and other appellate courts like the 14th Court almost every day. He’s written over 100 appellate briefs and attended numerous trials as special appellate counsel, as well. He has worked on a broad range of cases, from criminal law to family law to business disputes. And he is the only candidate in this race (including the Republican incumbent) who is a board certified appellate attorney—Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of attorneys. In his professional capacity, he is proud to have fought Ken Paxton and defended constitutional rights. He has also dedicated volunteer time as a lawyer to voter protection programs. He hopes to continue defending your rights as a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals.
Why would you be an effective leader in this role?
As an experienced appellate attorney, I’m highly qualified to be a justice on this Court. That makes me both the best candidate to beat a Republican in November and to work with the Republican justices who remain on the 14th Court after the 2026 elections. All 9 justices on the 14th Court are currently Republicans, even though Democrats won seats on this Court in 2018. I want to knock on doors in Brazoria County in the fall as your nominee for this Court. Then, once elected, I’ll have the experience and credibility to work alongside the Republican majority on that Court.
What platform points that are important to you?
Accountability. While most lawsuits are apolitical, some are not. The Fourteenth Court needs a strong independent voie when political pressure arises. That judge should work to persuade his fellow judges when the time calls for it but vigorously dissent if the people’s rights are disregarded. I’ll do just that.
Justice for the People. Judicial candidates love to say they will just “follow the law,” but that is not always so simple. While that is the principal responsibility of any judge, almost every case an appellate judge decides has a bona fide dispute about the meaning or application of “the law.” On close questions, judges must remember that their job is to read the law in the context of our democracy. As a justice, I will always bear in mind that my job is as a mere cog in our democracy, simply interpreting and applying laws passed by and for the People.
Empathy towards all advocates and parties. All sorts of people will show up in the courtroom. Most will be unfamiliar with the court of appeals, too. Yet as a part of their government, they still deserve the full consideration and understanding. So I will work hard to treat every person as fairly and respectfully as possible.