Priscilla R. Owen

Human Events, May 16, 2005

Speculation in Washington is that Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen may be the first Bush appellate-court nomination brought to the floor in this Senate.

Born: Oct. 4,1954, Palacios, Tex.

Education: University of Texas, 1972-73; Baylor University, 1973-75; Baylor University School of Law, 1975-77.

Experience: Law clerk at Sheehy, Lovelace & Mayfield, 1976-77; associate and partner at Andrews, Kurth, Campbell & Jones, 1978-94; elected justice on Texas Supreme Court, 1995-current.

Qualifications: Received a unanimous "well-qualified" rating from the American Bar Association. Graduated at the top of her class in law school and had the No. 1 grade on the Texas Bar Exam.

Status: Nominated May 9,2001, for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, but defeated by committee. Renominated Jan. 7, 2003, but Democrats filibustered and clôture votes failed four times-May 1, 2003, May 8, 2003, July 28,2003, and Nov. 14,2003. Renominated Feb. 14, 2005, and voted out of committee April 21, 2005. Currently awaiting floor vote.

Notable: Re-elected with the 84% of the vote in 2000-the highest percentage of any of her colleagues on the Texas Supreme Court-after winning endorsements from all major Texas newspapers.