In Re Hecht

OPINION

Opinion by

Justices FITZGERALD and MAZZANT.

I

This case focuses on whether the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, the judicial “rules of the road,” so to speak, prohibit a Texas state judge from speaking out favorably in behalf of a close friend nominated to the United States Supreme Court. This case hinges on the meaning of words in this Code and what words were spoken by the judge. This case involves a composite of two different political systems for the selection of judges. In Texas, we have an elective process, whereas in the federal system, we have a nomination-confirmation process.

We…