First Latina Judge in Harris County Civil Courts, Debra Ibarra Mayfield, Dies at 47

By Jess Smith First Posted: Mar 15, 2022 08:42 AM EDT

Debra Ibarra Mayfield, the first Latina judge in Harris County civil courts, died Friday in Houston after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 47.

Mayfield's passing has been announced by the Houston Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society on Facebook.

"We fondly remember her presentation to our Chapter in 2020... celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment and the accomplishments of women in the law," the Houston Lawyers Chapter said in the post.

Eric Mayfield, her husband of more than 18 years, said their family was grateful for the support of many and for the recognition of "Debra's work and servant's heart," The Houston Chronicle reported.

Debra, a Republican, rose through the ranks of the judiciary, eventually becoming the first Latina judge in Harris County civil courts, where she was appointed unanimously in 2011 and re-elected in 2012 and 2014.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed her to the 165th District Court the following year and two years later to the 190th Judicial District Court.

Colleagues Remember Debra Ibarra Mayfield After Her Death

Debra Ibarra Mayfield was among the first in her family to attend college, and she frequently mentioned her working-class background.

Her father was a sheet metal fabricator who helped in the creation of the star on top of the civil courthouse where she later resided, a connection that was featured prominently in a campaign.

In a 2016 endorsement, the Chronicle's Editorial Board said Debra, a South Texas College of Law graduate, brought "a refreshing openness to the bench."

Seth Kretzer, a Houston lawyer who appeared before Debra on multiple occasions, said the Latina judge loved being a judge, and she was "eminently fair."

Abbott appointed her in 2017, but she lost her re-election bid the next year.

Debra Ibarra Mayfield was described as "a person of deep faith" by Roland Garcia, a lawyer who met her when she was a law student. According to Garcia, she gave back to her community in meaningful ways as a judge and president of the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, remembered Debra's tenacity and positivity, which he said inspired her career as a public servant and as a marathon runner.

Being the First: Latinas Make Supreme Court and Film History

Patricia Guerrero, justice for the California 4th District Court of Appeal, has been nominated to the state's Supreme Court as an associate justice, Governor Gavin Newsom announced last month, NBC News reported.

Guerrero, 50, is "deeply honored" at the prospect of serving, and if confirmed, she would be the first Latina to do so. According to Newsom's office, Guerrero, a daughter of Mexican immigrants and a native of Imperial Valley in Southern California, is considered a widely respected jurist.

Texas made state history in the 2018 midterm elections when it elected its first Latinas, Veronica Escobar, and Sylvia Garcia, to Congress.

In November, there is a chance for the state to hit another milestone - electing its first Republican Latina to the U.S. House. Monica De La Cruz, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has been tagged as Republicans' best opportunity to win a congressional seat anchored in Texas' largely Latino border region.

Meanwhile, Latinas also make history in the film industry as Ariana DeBose is now in the SAG Awards record books.

DeBose is now the first Latina to win a film award from the guild, as well as the first queer woman of color to be recognized for acting after earning SAG's Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Anita in the "West Side Story."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

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