Judge Porter met United States Supreme Justice Clarence Thomas in 2017, shortly after Thomas wrote the opinion in *Davila v. Davis*. *Davila* was a death penalty case that Judge Porter prosecuted when he was an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Tarrant County.

By constitutional design, judges have the most limited role in government. As someone who has studied jurisprudence and American Constitutional Law for 30 years, Judge Porter believes legislatures write laws, not judges.

A textualist at heart, Judge Porter believes statutes should be narrowly construed to effect the Texas Legislature’s expressed purpose in compliance with the federal and state constitutions.

Trial judges are the public “face” of the judiciary. As such, Judge Porter believes judges should show respect for the law, the litigants, and the litigators who appear in court. He starts each day with prayer before donning his robe and entering the courtroom. It’s his way of remembering that a true public servant knows wisdom comes from God.

Judge Porter also believes the public deserves an efficient judicial system. Since January 1, 2023, Judge Porter has reduced CDC4’s average daily caseload from over 2300 pending felony cases to around 1300 pending cases. Cases are getting to trial faster, which means less wait time for both defendants and victims.

Hard work. Efficiency. Safeguarding our constitutional rights. Those are the hallmarks of a great judge, and those are the cornerstones of Judge Porter’s commitment to serving the citizens of Tarrant County.