(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in March. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. I will also be conducting some in-person interviews of candidates who will be involved in contested primaries for non-judicial offices. Please see my 2010 Election page for a full list of Q&As and interviews.)
1. Who are you and what are you running for?
My name is Porfirio F. (Poppy) Diaz and I am running for the 308th Family District Court of Harris County, Texas. I was born and reared in Houston. Attended Reagan High School. Graduate of Texas A&M, University of Houston and South Texas College of Law. I am 63 years of age. I am a US Army Veteran.
2. What kind of cases does this court hear?
This particular court handles family law matters, which are divorces, adoptions, paternity and all issues related thereto.
3. Why are you running for this particular bench?
This particular bench has no incumbent. I believe that I can bring some sense of legal fairness to the litigants before the court.
4. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have 30 years experience as a lawyer, 10 years working for legal aid. Nearly all of my practice is devoted to family law cases.
5. Why is this race important?
This Court should be concerned with the people before the court as well as the best interest of the children in all matters. Fairness should be the bedrock by which decisions are to be made.
6. Why should people vote for you in the primary?
I have the experience as a lawyer for the past 30 years as well as being an associate judge for the City of Houston for 4 years. All litigants will be treated fairly and the lawyers will have some sense of reliability that I would follow the law, but tempered with fairness.
One of my favorite quotes is from a different Porfirio Diaz, the President of Mexico at the time of the Mexican revolution: “Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States.”