Filed for the 299th: Why I Moved

by: Karen Sage

Sun Dec 06, 2009 at 08:09 PM CST

First, I can't say enough about how proud I am of my campaign. We fought and campaigned hard in the 147th, but it was always respectful, positive, and focused on the court. I am happy that I can say the same about my former opponent, Cliff Brown. I wish Cliff the best of luck and offer my sincere thanks for engaging in a spirited and important conversation about justice in Travis County.

I will continue to run a respectful, positive, and justice-oriented campaign for the 299th. When I heard that Judge Baird was retiring, I was shocked, then saddened. The innovative and courageous way in which Judge Baird approached justice is something I have admired greatly in his time as a District Judge. That is why, in my mind, it was a simple choice to make the move into the race for his seat.

For more than five months, I have been speaking about the needs of the underserved in the criminal justice system, including the mentally ill and the mentally disabled. With Judge Baird not seeking re-election, it is now more important than ever that Travis County voters choose a courageous, compassionate, and committed judge to continue to improve the way we do justice in Travis County. I hope to further Charlie's work in my own way, looking at new and innovative solutions to the revolving door of criminal justice and seeking to reduce recidivism.

Since I decided to move to the 299th, I have been overwhelmed by the new support for my campaign and the words of encouragement from my friends, colleagues, and supporters. In just a few days, I have earned the public support of nearly a hundred Democratic voters, including:

Joyce Adejumo, Jim Arth, Lance Bagby, Christine Baleshta, Emma Barrientos, Ben Blackburn, Lila Carl, Bryan Case, Elizabeth Christian, Simon Coats, Gary Cobb, Nichelle Cobb, Elsie Craven, Cecelia Crossley, Ralph Dalton, Ian Davis, Chris Dorbandt, Eva Eakin, Hon. Chris Elliott, Mary Ann Espiritu, Lisa Evans, Amy Everhart, Patricia Floyd, Ann Gardner, Bonny Gardner, Kay Gaul, Erik Goodman, Richard Gravois, Natalie Gray, Kathleen Green, Julia Guernsey, Carla Guthrie, Catherine Haenni, Russell Hahn, Amy Hajdu, Barbara Harverstick, John Hinton, Shirley Johnson, Katie King, Hon. Ann Kitchen, R.B. Klug, Anne T. Kohler, Ken Koock, Paul Labuda, Hon. Glen Maxey, Anne & Bill McAfee, Fred McGhee, Bertha Means, Hon. Myra McDaniel, Tyler Miloy, Amy Wong Mok, Joel Morgan, Nancy Neavel, Mary Ann Neely, James & Lisa O'Donnell, William & Gina O'Hara, Matt Parkerson, Penelope Porter, Walter Prentice, Ellen Richards, Jo Ann Richmond, Peggy Romberg, Wade Russell, Larry Sauer, Rosanne Scott, Ronald Seamon, Billie Shelton, Dawn Skinner, Scott Smith, Niyanta Spelman, Paula Talley, Walter Timberlake, Hon. Bruce Todd, Joe Turner, Valentina Vale, Kitty Villa, Mark Westenhover, Jill Williams, Mark Yznaga, and Greg Zaney

With the primary vote less than three months away, my campaign team and I will work harder than ever, and I look forward to meeting more Democratic voters to talk about this race.  

Courage, Compassion, Commitment: Why I'm Running for Judge

by: Karen Sage

Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM CST

Who I Am
I was born 44 years ago in a small Minnesota town called Worthington, a place with fewer than 10,000 residents. It is in the far southwestern corner of the state, just north of Iowa and just east of South Dakota. My father, Jim, was a police officer there for 40 years, and my mother, Dorothy, ran a small drapery and upholstery business. I was the first in my family to attend college, and the first in my family to attend law school. My career and my family have taken me many places, and I've lived in Los Angeles and New York City before settling in Austin, where I'd like to spend the rest of my life.

I am married to a professor of law at the University of Texas, and I have two children ages eight and ten. It hasn't been easy to be a mother and an attorney, but my drive to work in public service has always made the struggle worth it. My experience growing up in the Midwest and living on the two coasts has given me a unique perspective. It is my hope to serve this community with all of my ability, to make Austin a better, safer place, and to broaden the horizon of justice to serve all of the citizens of this world-class city.

Why Run?
The most common question I hear when I'm out on the campaign trail is: "Why are you running for judge?" The answer is simple for me - I believe in public service and I believe in justice. For most of my career, I have been a public servant, and I have always tried to do justice no matter what role I have occupied. Justice is the backbone of our democracy, it is the safeguard of our rights, and it is the last bastion of our civilization. There is nothing nobler than pursuing justice, ensuring equality, and fighting for what is right. I believe that I have the courage, the compassion, and the commitment to be a great judge.