Dallas Morning News Recommends Incumbent Judge Sandra Jackson for 302nd District Court
The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board has issued its recommendation for the Democratic primary race regarding the 302nd District Court, endorsing incumbent Judge Sandra Jackson for a third term. The board selected Jackson over her challenger, Dallas family law attorney Desireé Marie Bedasa, citing the judge’s experience on the bench and her constructive response to professional criticism.
The 302nd District Court is a family district court in Dallas County responsible for hearing cases involving divorce, child custody, and Child Protective Services. Jackson, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, also serves on the Dallas County Juvenile Board. The editorial highlighted her involvement with the Legacy Family Drug Court, a specialized program established in 2012 that facilitates collaboration between families, caseworkers, and the district attorney’s office to assist parents struggling with addiction.
Bedasa, a University of Texas law graduate and former guardian ad litem, built her campaign largely on concerns regarding Jackson’s judicial performance. She pointed specifically to the 2025 Judicial Evaluation poll conducted by the Dallas Bar Association, in which Jackson received an “excellent” or “acceptable” rating from only 59% of responding attorneys. Bedasa argued that these results reflect a need for change in the 302nd District Court. Additionally, the challenger alleged that Jackson frequently locks her courtroom doors, creating issues with accessibility for the public and legal professionals.
Despite these objections, the editorial board maintained its support for the incumbent. The board noted that while the bar poll results were “not perfect,” they were impressed by Jackson’s willingness to accept the feedback rather than dismiss it as a popularity contest. Jackson reportedly told the board she uses the data to reflect on areas for improvement. Regarding the allegation of locked doors, the board accepted Jackson’s explanation that the measure is taken occasionally due to security concerns inherent in volatile family court proceedings.
Ultimately, the board concluded that Jackson’s established tenure and commitment to programs like the Legacy Family Drug Court outweighed the challenges raised by Bedasa. The recommendation suggests that voters retain Jackson for the family court bench in the upcoming primary election.
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