Editorial note: This is the fifteenth in our series of electronic interviews with candidates in contested primaries at both the Statewide level and throughout Harris County. We have sent eight open-ended questions to each of the candidates. The following are verbatim copies of the questions sent out and the answers received.
Donna Detamore, candidate in the Republican primary for the 311th District Court (Harris County)
Texpatriate: What is your name?
DD: Donna Detamore
T: What office are you running for?
DD: Judge of the 311th Family District Court
T: What is your profession/occupation?
DD: Mediator/Attorney/Special Master
DD: Judge of a Court that specializes in Domestic Relations cases, making decisions on cases including but not limited to : Divorce; Custody initiation and modified ; Child support initiation, modification and enforcement; Children’s Protective Services cases; and Adoptions.
DD: The incumbent has failed to follow the law. She has failed to provide notice to the parties who have cases in the Court prior to dismissing same , thereby denying the parties due process and terminating Orders for support, custody, access, protection Orders made for person and propety. Orders have been signed in a manner that prevented parties from filing appeals; The Court has made unnecessary appointments requiring additional costs to the parties that was not warranted; The Judge has required and the incumbent has failed to timely rule on a vast number of cases in the court.
DD: Rendering decisions timely and clearing up the backlog of cases that have been lingering awaiting temporary Orders and trial. Establishing reasonable protocol for mediation and other dispute resolution to reduce conflict and costs to the litigants. Eliminating the appointment of any unnecessary Court appointed individuals, reducing costs to the litigants.
DD: I am the only board certified specialist and I am board certified in Family Law. The current Judge is not board certified. None of the other candidates are board certified.
I have been on the board and a member of several legal professional groups such as Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists and Inns of Court (a mentoring group).
I have extensive mediation experience. I have taught at seminars Family mediation to law students, attorneys and counselors.
I have extensive Judicial experience in family law cases. I have been appointed as a special master and associate judge in family law cases for over 30 years.
I have extensive an Republican history, volunteering in local, state and national elections for many years. I have attended Republican Precinct, County, and State Conventions since the 70’s. I have been a member and on the boards of many Republican Women’s groups since the 70’s.
I have been a volunteer for years in Community efforts through my church. I have been a Can Care Cancer Counselor for many years. I have been a volunteer with Texas Equasearch.
T: What is the most important thing you have learned thus far in the campaign?
DD: The concerns the public have over the election of judges.
