The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a formal public admonition against Judge Laurine Blake, of the 336th District Court in Fannin County, for improperly intervening in a 2024 judicial election by supporting one candidate over another while misusing the prestige of her judicial office.

The Commission found that Judge Blake—who retired at the end of 2024—acted improperly by promoting Republican candidate Christina Tillett and sharing disparaging personal and legal information about Tillett’s opponent, Kyle Shaw, in private text messages to local political leaders and community influencers.

The admonition stems from a formal complaint—CJC No. 23-0921—investigated by the Commission and reviewed in its December 3–4, 2024 meeting.

Judge Used Position to Advance Candidate’s Campaign

In the lead-up to the March 2024 Republican primary election, Judge Blake repeatedly invited Tillett to attend community events such as the Fannin County Bail Bond Board, the Bonham Kiwanis Club, and the Getting Ahead Program. Tillett was introduced as a judicial candidate at some of these gatherings, and she received endorsements during Blake’s presence.

At one event, the judge and Tillett served meals together, and a photo of the two was posted on Facebook by the Getting Ahead Program—something the Commission cited as a public endorsement in violation of judicial conduct rules.

Although Blake denied that her actions constituted an endorsement, the Commission determined otherwise. Canon 5(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits judges from publicly endorsing another candidate for any public office.

Spreading Negative Information About Opponent

In addition to helping Tillett gain exposure, Judge Blake took steps to distribute damaging information about candidate Kyle Shaw. In February 2023, Tillett expressed interest in running for the 336th District Court seat. Shaw followed suit in May or June. But Blake—who claimed to have no personal stake in the election—privately messaged at least six politically connected individuals with screenshots from the Collin County court records website.

The screenshots included information about legal cases—some that Shaw had worked on as an attorney, as well as personal divorce and civil litigation records. Several cases included in the screenshots had no relation to Shaw, such as criminal cases involving people with similar names and paternity disputes involving unrelated parties.

In her defense, Blake told the Commission she did not intend to mislead anyone and believed her politically sophisticated recipients could distinguish between relevant and irrelevant cases. However, the Commission determined she had “knowingly or recklessly misrepresented” facts about Shaw in violation of Canon 5(1)(ii).

Personal Remarks on Shaw’s Family, Character

Blake’s texts went further than court records. She made explicit personal remarks about Shaw’s divorces, the suicide of his son, and his parental history—stating, for example:

• “And of course his 3 or 4 divorces.”

• “One of his prior wives is raising his daughter (the 16-year-old in Frisco).”

• “His son unfortunately killed himself 6 years ago… I’m assuming this might be the one over which he had gained custody?”

• “Do you know if he now has 2 children outside of his marriage? (3 total). It’s gotta be hard on the women in relationships with him.”

While Blake described her messages as merely sharing information of “public concern,” the Commission determined that such conduct failed to uphold the dignity and impartiality expected of a judge, citing a violation of Canon 3B(4), which requires judges to be “patient, dignified, and courteous.”

Blake’s Defense: No Willful Misconduct

In her written response to the Commission, Judge Blake denied that her actions constituted misconduct and emphasized that she was communicating with friends outside her official capacity. She also argued that she never told recipients that all records referred to the same Kyle Shaw and claimed that stability in a judge’s personal life was a valid topic for voter scrutiny.

“Stability in the judge’s family life is like a ballast in a ship,” she wrote, suggesting that Shaw’s history of litigation and family turmoil were relevant to his fitness for office.

She also rejected claims that she intentionally boosted Tillett’s campaign, asserting that running for judge is a matter of public interest, not private gain.

However, the Commission found that Judge Blake’s pattern of conduct—including her public association with Tillett and her private campaign to discredit Shaw—amounted to “willful and persistent conduct” that “casts public discredit upon the judiciary.”

Commission’s Sanction and Final Conclusion

The Commission issued the public admonition pursuant to its constitutional authority under Article V, Section 1-a(8) of the Texas Constitution. While short of suspension or removal, a public admonition is a formal disciplinary action that becomes part of a judge’s permanent record.

Judge Blake’s conduct was found to violate multiple provisions of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, including:

• Canon 2B – for allowing a relationship to influence judicial conduct.

• Canon 3B(4) – for failing to be dignified and courteous.

• Canon 5(1)(ii) – for recklessly misrepresenting facts about a candidate.

• Canon 5(2) – for publicly endorsing a political candidate.

Outcome of the Election

Despite the controversy, Tillett won the March 2024 primary with 53.48% of the vote (3,234 votes) to Shaw’s 46.52% (2,813 votes). She took the 336th District Court bench following Judge Blake’s retirement on December 31, 2024.The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a formal public admonition against Judge Laurine Blake, of the 336th District Court in Fannin County, for improperly intervening in a 2024 judicial election by supporting one candidate over another while misusing the prestige of her judicial office.

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