Wallace B. Jefferson
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| Wallace B. Jefferson | |
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Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Phillips |
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Texas Supreme Court Justice
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| In office 2001 – 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Alberto Gonzales |
| Succeeded by | David M. Medina |
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| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Rhonda Jefferson |
| Children | Three sons |
| Occupation | Attorney; Judge |
Wallace B. Jefferson is the Republican Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. His term ends December 31, 2008.
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[edit] Historic judicial appointments and election
Jefferson has three times made Texas judicial history. In 2001, Governor Rick Perry appointed him the first African American Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and then again in 2004 he was appointed the first African American Chief Justice by Perry in 2004. In November 2002, Jefferson also became, along with Justice Dale Wainwright, one of the first African Americans elected to the Court.
Jefferson was first appointed to the court on April 18, 2001 to fill the vacancy left by Alberto R. Gonzales, who resigned to become White House Counsel to President George W. Bush. Jefferson was then elected to that seat in 2002 with 56% of the vote. Before Jefferson could get a chance to complete his new term, however, he was again promoted by Perry. On September 20, 2004, Perry appointed Jefferson the successor to Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips, who had retired from the Court a few weeks earlier after nearly 17 years as chief. Jefferson was elected to serve out the remainder of Phillips's unexpired term as Chief Justice in November 2006. Thus, Jefferson was not elected to a full six-year term but will face the voters again in 2008.
[edit] Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School
Northside ISD School Board trustees approved the name of the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Wallace B. Jefferson, to be the name of Northside ISD's newest school.
Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School opened on August 27, 2007 - it opened as NISD's fifteenth Middle School. The dedication ceremony was held on October 27, 2007. In the gym they had the initials JMS with the names of all the students in all the grades. The school had art made by the students around it on the dedication day.
[edit] Personal life
Jefferson and his wife, Rhonda, have three sons. He is an alumnus of John Jay High School in San Antonio, Texas, the James Madison College at Michigan State University and the University of Texas School of Law.
[edit] External links
- Profile at Texas Supreme Court website
- Official Campaign Site for Wallace Jefferson
- University of Texas Law School Press Release Announcing Jefferson's appointment as Chief Justice
- Mogle, Danny, "Jefferson running to fill high court term." Tyler Morning Telegraph, October 23, 2001.
- Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School
| Preceded by Thomas R. Phillips |
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Chief Justice 2004–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Alberto R. Gonzalez |
Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 4 2001-2004 |
Succeeded by David M. Medina |
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