The Honorable John Devine

Judge John Devine served as District Judge from 1995 to 2002. He ran the most successful write-in campaign in Harris County history in 1992, pushing five Republican candidates to victory. In 1994 he defeated the incumbent judge, a liberal democrat, to win the 190th District Court seat. He was re-elected to that office in 1998.

John is a conservative who is a proud defender of the values which have made our country great. He received national acclaim as a judge by refusing to remove a painting of the Ten Commandments from his courtroom and defeating a related lawsuit by liberal activists. He likewise received attention for his actions to hold local government accountable by ruling that taxpayers had a right under the law to vote on a massive and expensive light rail system.

John Devine helped keep sexually oriented businesses away from neighborhoods, schools and places of worship by forcing them to comply with licensing and zoning restrictions. John is a respected community leader and has served on the Harris County Juvenile Board. He founded the “Kids in Court” program which introduced hundreds of Texas youths to the judicial system. Judge Devine also served as Special Visiting Judge for the Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts.

Judge Devine is a graduate of Ball State University and the South Texas College of Law. He has received numerous awards and honors while serving in public office, including being named “Judge of the Year” by P.O.L.I.C.E., Inc. (Police Officers Looking Into Judicial Excellence). He was named “Texas Size Hero” by the “Focus on the Family” Citizen Magazine. In 1995, Judge Devine, along with Texas Governor George W. Bush, was named “Best Republican Surprise” by the Houston Press.

John and his wife, Nubia, have six children. They live in Tomball and are members of the Champion Forest Baptist Church