Lower limits apply to judgeships in smaller judicial districts. Contributors can give to as many candidates as they want. Texas is one of seven states with partisan judicial elections at the trial, appeals and supreme court levels. According to Public Citizen, Texas is the only state with partisan elections in which judges can solicit contributions from lawyers and clients who may have a case before them. Texas judges are not required to step aside from cases that involve contributors to their campaign.
Critics say that makes it appear attorneys and others can buy the courts.
Judges cannot appear impartial when they receive campaign contributions from the parties before them. Debbie Dudley Branson, president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, said lawyers who contribute to campaigns want fair judges, not favoritism. Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips has said Texas should eliminate partisan judicial elections. He prefers giving the governor power to appoint judges, then having them stand for a retention election on the ballot. But he also said the Legislature should make any changes.