Meet Karin Crump

What is your background and campaign platform?

Judge Karin Crump has served as a District Judge for almost a decade. She is President of the Texas Association of District Judges and has presided over hundreds of trials and administrative appeals. Karin, a mom of three, is the daughter of a Mexican American mom and military dad. She’s a first-gen college graduate and has devoted her career to protecting access to justice for vulnerable populations. She serves as a mentor and judicial liaison to the Youth Justice Alliance.

What are some ways you have helped determine your own personal biases in the past?

As a judge, I have attended courses and training on implicit bias, which have taught me to consider the perspective of others; evaluate people based on personal characteristics rather than those affiliated with a stereotyped group; and to embrace evidence based communication that is welcoming and embraces other cultures. I have also worked on slowing down to reflect on potential biases that may be occurring in the courtroom; practicing mindfulness; and working to address power imbalances. As a mentor and the judicial liaison with Youth Justice Alliance, I'm actively working to ensure that our legal profession is more diverse and that first generation young people have a pipeline of opportunities to meet lawyers and judges so that they can access and thrive in the legal profession.

What inspired you to pursue a path of studying law?

As a first-generation college student, I wanted to choose a path where I could make a difference in the lives of others. I was inspired by the work Justice Thurgood Marshall, who began as a civil rights leader and then continued his important work on the US Supreme Court by broadly interpreting the constitutional protections that directly benefited vulnerable populations.

What legacy would you like to leave from serving on this court?

I would like to improve efficiency so that litigants don't have to wait years for their disputes to be decided by the 3rd Court of Appeals.

What Democratic values have you or will you apply to your work once elected?

I serve as a mentor and the judicial liaison for Youth Justice Alliance, which creates a pipeline of students into the legal profession, where people of color are grossly underrepresented. I also co-founded the Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers Association's Leadership Academy to give new lawyers opportunities to engage in public service and make a difference in our community. We have now trained and graduated hundreds of lawyers who are making a positive difference in the legal profession and in the community.

If elected, would you support the Hays County Democratic Party by your presence at events and, if possible, financially? If not, please explain why.

Yes! I will continue to attend and financially support Hays County Democratic Party events.

Will you and your campaign participate in the Hays County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign effort in 2024?

Yes.