For use by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas 2016 Judicial Candidate Questionnaire (Note: Judicial candidates are asked to ONLY answer the Judicial Candidate qu 1estionnaire, and NOT the County or State Level questionnaire!) 2 Beet 1. Why are you seeking the endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas? Jam running for the 5th District Court of Appeals, place 7. | would be honored to have the ‘support of the organization. 2. What are your plans to participate in a coordinated campaign in the general election? ' plan to participate as | have in the past: with financial, personal and volunteer support. 3. Will you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsement in or on: a) your website: yes b) your campaign literature and mailers: yes ©) your social media assets (Twitter, Facebook, etc.): yes 4d) your campaign advertisements: yes 4. When elected, how will you recruit, retain, and create a friendly environment for LGBT and LGBT-friendly staff? The judicial Code of conduct provides: “A judge shall require lawyers in proceedings before the court to refrain from manifesting, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status against parties, witnesses, counsel or others.” | hold myself, lawyers and court staff to this standard. The professionals that | work with understand and comply with my expectation in this regard. 5. Would you be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the LGBT community on a ongoing basis? If not, why? | am happy to meet with anyone who thinks that this is necessary, as | am always willing to learn from new perspectives. 6. Understanding that administrative matters can take up a significant percentage of your work day, what are some ideas for policies or procedures that you think you can improve court Operations for the court which you are seeking office? What are the most important policiesor procedures you've identified as needing improvement? In the Court of Appeals, court feanagement falls under the authority of the Chief Justice, and the Court works more in teams than trial courts are able to. | am concerned about the apparent ability of Justices to not work. I would like to see more accountability in this regard. 7. How would you handle a situation in which you or an employee under you felt the need to not fulfil all your lawful work duties due to “deeply held retigious beliefs"? As a judge I've been in a position to render a decision under the law that | did not agree with. {follow the law regardless of my personal beliefs. | expect others who work for me to te the work that we are required to do under the law. If people are not willing to complete their job duties, they should seek employment elsewhere. {Denise Garcia, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the 2016 elections. Signed, Date: December 29, 2016