"Who do you think you are?"
It's a simple rhetorical question that has a sting of "How dare you?"
It's not the kind of question a lawyer usually hurls at a sitting judge, but Houston attorney Ben Aderholt leveled it at immigration judge Erica Hughes this week. On his firm's letterhead, no less.
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Hughes is one of several Black female judicial candidates who have been sued by white male incumbent opponents seeking to disqualify them ahead of the Democratic primary elections.
Hughes was dragged into court to prove the authenticity of the petition signatures she gathered in order to run for judge in Houston's 151st Civil Court, after incumbent State District Judge Mike Engelhart sued her over them.
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Aderholt's was one of many threatening letters that Hughes says she's received since the Texas Supreme Court dismissed Engelhart's suit.
"Who do you think you are? Running against a Democrat, a highest rated judge," wrote Aderholt, who has since apologized. "Political animals who treat our judiciary as political games should be soundly defeated."
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Nevermind that she was the first Black woman to serve as presiding judge of Harris County Criminal Court of Law #3 and, in 2021, was appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve as an immigration judge.
Hughes said Engelhart's lawsuit has created an atmosphere in which people feel encouraged to intimidate her. The letter from Aderholt was emailed through his legal assistant at the firm, she said.
"I served in the military and expected to face battle, but I never expected I would have to face these types of threats running for office," she said. "It lets me know what we're up against. Billions of dollars are decided in these courts. These threats have made me want to pursue the seat even more, and win."
Houston Lawyers Association president Simone R. Bray responded swiftly, releasing a statement on Tuesday. The association, which is an affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association, was founded in 1955 to address the needs of Black lawyers and the Black community.
"Black attorneys make up 4.5% of the total attorney population," Bray said. "As such, Black attorneys are already working in a population that does not always value or understand our contributions. Judge Hughes and every candidate should have the opportunity to run for office without coercion, harassment and ridicule from others, especially other colleagues."
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In an email statement to Fox 26, Aderholt called his actions "unintentional and careless" and "an error of judgment for which I sincerely apologize."
The TV station also reported Aderholt was terminated by the Coats Rose firm for writing the letter. I reached out to Coats Rose for a response, but have not heard back.
You'd think in 2024 candidates running for office would not have to face threats. But you'd also think that people know when to speak out loud (or send an email, in this case) and when to keep their thoughts to themselves.
Houston lawyer fired over threatening letter to Black female judge
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01.03.2024
"Who do you think you are?"
It's a simple rhetorical question that has a sting of "How dare you?"
It's not the kind of question a lawyer usually hurls at a sitting judge, but Houston attorney Ben Aderholt leveled it at immigration judge Erica Hughes this week. On his firm's letterhead, no less.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Hughes is one of several Black female judicial candidates who have been sued by white male incumbent opponents seeking to disqualify them ahead of the Democratic primary elections.
Hughes was dragged into court to prove the authenticity of the petition signatures she gathered in order to run for judge in Houston's 151st Civil Court, after incumbent State District Judge Mike Engelhart sued her over them.
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