78th District Judge Meredith Kennedy announces re-election campaign

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Meredith Kennedy announced her intent to run for reelection for her 78th District Court seat.

She believes she still has a lot to bring to the community if re-elected.

Judge Kennedy has served Wichita Falls for four years and is proud to stand behind her conservative values of hard work and fairness.

”I was appointed as the first woman to be appointed to this court. I was the first woman Republican that had ever been on a district court bench in Wichita County.” Kennedy said.

Kennedy was briefly appointed in November 2019 by Governor Greg Abbott foregoing the retirement of Judge Barney Fudge, but she was determined to serve a full term.

”I served that initial appointment time, but I immediately had to announce I was going to run because I was going to be on the March Primary. I ran for office unopposed and was elected.” She shared.

Kennedy said this first run has been an excellent lesson.

“It is an interesting law, it’s pretty heavy. There are a lot of serious topics there, but that’s been a very big learning curve for me. I’m enjoying everything on the bench so far.” She explained.

Kennedy said her judicial role sets an example for young people.

“I have a 12-year-old daughter and she and her classmates think it’s cool, ‘Mom is Judge Judy’, as they say, which is not true, but it shows that they can accomplish amazing things if they work hard for it.” Kennedy joked.

She shared that equality is a key factor in her courtroom.

”We push for fairness, treating everyone with respect in the courtroom making sure the courtroom is a place that is respectful.” Kennedy explained.

She said a mental health program for the County’s jail will be one of many projects she’s pushing for if re-elected.

“In the past, we haven’t really been able to provide that in the jail, it had to be provided in the hospital. So people were waiting to get into the state hospital in order to get that competency restoration in order to go to trial.”

Getting re-elected would be confirmation for her that she is serving this community well.

“That positive feedback that what I’m doing in the community matters and is important and the people of this community support that.” She said.

Additionally, Judge Kennedy said in her statement that she is grateful to have had the experience of being a district judge and looks forward to what she can do to help the community in her next term if re-elected.

Kennedy is set to file for re-election on the March primary ballot, she added for the community to look out for her name on the 2024 general election ballot.

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