Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
EDINBURG, Texas – Chief Justice Dori Contreras of the 13th Court of Appeals has decided not to seek reelection. In the wake of this announcement, Justice Gina M. Benavides, currently a Senior Justice on the same court, has formally announced her candidacy for the soon-to-be-vacant Chief Justice position. Justice Benavides’ announcement was both an expression of her professional goals and a tribute to Chief Justice Contreras, whom she considers a professional mentor and a close friend.
In an emotionally charged announcement, Chief Justice Dori Contreras of the 13th Court of Appeals declared that she would not seek reelection in 2024. Following this news, Senior Justice Gina M. Benavides announced her candidacy for the role, promising to continue the legacy Contreras has built.
Justice Benavides used the momentous occasion to reminisce about her long-standing friendship with Chief Justice Contreras, dating back more than three decades to their time at the University of Houston’s law school. “You’ll never find a person who works harder than Dori does and is as passionate about the law and the legal system as she is,” Benavides remarked, her voice tinged with emotion.
The friendship between the two justices has been more than just personal; it has been professionally transformative. Benavides credits Contreras with encouraging her to seek a position on the 13th Court of Appeals back in 2007. She said Contreras is “a firm believer in giving back and pulling those behind us to lead in leadership roles.”
In her tenure as Chief Justice, Dori Contreras promoted change and improvement. She emphasized trust, transparency, and a highly involved judiciary as the pillars of a strong legal system, essential to the functioning of democracy.
Moreover, she successfully guided the court through unprecedented challenges, including a global pandemic and a ransomware attack. According to Benavides, Contreras’ decisive actions made the 13th Court of Appeals the first to adopt remote hearings via Zoom.
Building on the foundations laid by Contreras, Justice Benavides announced her own vision for the future of the 13th Court of Appeals. Her priority is “to restore trust in our institution, to live up to a higher standard, and to uphold the fundamental principle that law applies equally and fairly to all of us.”
Notably, Benavides plans to focus on aggressive campaigning across all 20 counties under the jurisdiction of the 13th Court of Appeals. She intends to use her campaign as a platform to educate and engage voters about the critical role of the judiciary.
Though Benavides looks forward to the challenge of her campaign, she acknowledged that she does not undertake this endeavor alone. She expressed gratitude to her family—especially her sisters Bertha and Leticia, and their respective husbands, Alex and Michael—for their firm support.
The transition of leadership in the 13th Court of Appeals is not just a procedural event but a moving moment that marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. As Justice Gina M. Benavides steps up to take the responsibility from Chief Justice Dori Contreras, the focus remains persistent: upholding the integrity of the court and the legal system it represents. While the chapter on Contreras’ tenure closes, a new chapter brimming with promise and potential opens, heralding a continuation of legacy, excellence, and service.
