Governor Abbott Appoints Rebeca Huddle to Texas Supreme Court

EL PASO (WBAP/KLIF) – Governor Greg Abbott announced his appointment of Rebeca Huddle to the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday in El Paso.

Huddle will replace Justice Paul Green on the bench, who retired in August of this year. The announcement was made at Stephen F. Austin High School, which is where Huddle attended school.

“I am proud to appoint Rebeca Huddle to the Texas Supreme Court,” said Governor Abbott. “Rebeca’s story truly represents the American dream. She is a first generation American whose tireless work and dedication put her on a path to Stanford and the University of Texas School of Law. Rebeca brings to the court a strong work ethic and sharp legal mind as demonstrated by her extensive and accomplished record both in public service and private practice. Texans depend on a fair and impartial justice system and judges who follow the law as written, and I know that Rebecca will faithfully defend the Constitution and work hard for the people of Texas.”

The Texas Democratic Party responded to the appointment on Thursday and questioned its timing. The party suggested has Green retired a week earlier, five seats for the Texas Supreme Court would have been up for the people of Texas to decide. Texas voters could have made the decision about shaping the future of our justice system here in Texas. As it stands, four seats are up in November.

“After attempting to use the courts to stop Texans from voting, Governor Abbott is again thumbing his nose at everyday Texans by appointing a replacement instead of letting the voters decide,” said Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa. “Green purposely timed his resignation to disenfranchise Texans and not let them choose their next Texas Supreme Court justice. That is dead wrong and against the fundamental principles of our democracy and the sanctity of the Texas Supreme Court.”

Huddle was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Huddle previously served as a Justice on the First Court of Appeals in Houston from 2011 to 2017, having won re-election in 2012 after her initial appointment. She also has extensive experience in private practice as a litigation attorney at Baker Botts, and currently is the firmwide co-chair of its commercial litigation practice group.