Age: 56 years old
Are you a member of the Kansas bar?
No, I am not, however, if elected, I will have an 18 month period of education and testing to become certified to practice as a magistrate judge in Kansas.
Community involvement
26 of my 33 years of law enforcement experience has been spent in Trego County. Having grown up near Trego County, my wife and I chose WaKeeney to live, raise our children, and eventually retire here. I have served on the USD 208 School board, FFA Alumni board, and 4-H volunteer, and I am currently on the CASA of the High Plains board, Trego Out of Town Bus committee, Lions Club, Screaming Eagles Booster Club, and 10-33 Foundation (a peer support group for first responders).
My wife and I attend the WaKeeney Church of God and actively support our schools. I have also worked with local law enforcement to improve the safety of our schools, churches and children.
What experience and skills would you bring to the position?
I have spent over 33 years in law enforcement, 30 years being with the Kansas Highway Patrol. With this, I bring a perspective of experience, having personally dealt with many of the crimes I will likely adjudicate. I have also given testimony in countless courts in numerous counties and states, both on state and federal levels.
I have spent a great deal of my career developing my own leadership and the leadership in others. I look forward to the possibility of bringing this background into the courts of the 23rd Judicial District.
What are the specific aspects of this judicial position that moved you to run?
I have enjoyed my career as a State Trooper but knew that this season would not last forever. I knew some day, before I reached “normal” retirement age, I would need to seek employment in a position suitable to my aging abilities.
I have always been intrigued by judicial proceedings and have been very successful in trials that I have testified in.
I understand the importance of impartiality and practice it in my current position as Troop Captain with the KHP.
I have sought this path for over 10 years as a next chapter and feel that I would be able to continue to serve the public as a qualified magistrate judge for the 23rd Judicial District.
Describe the ideal Judge.
I believe the ideal judge should have the inherent ability to be an impartial listener of the facts. The ideal judge should ensure that proceedings before them are adjudicated with decorum and fairness.
The ideal judge should seek justice and justice alone, ensuring that those victimized by crime receive their due justice, and those falsely accused receive justice as well. The ideal judge should instill confidence as a part of the judicial process that justice will prevail.
Describe the most challenging ethical dilemma you have encountered. How did you handle it?
During my career, I have faced many challenges, many with different ethical outcomes, many involving critical incidents. Due to laws and policies on releasing sensitive information, I can not discuss, in detail, such matters, but I will say that the decision to engage another human who is actively attempting to take another human’s life creates such a dilemma.
One occasion, I utilized my patrol vehicle to prevent a wanted felon, traveling the wrong direction on interstate, from colliding with others head on.
The outcome was favorable aside from extensive damage to the vehicles involved. Many of these ethical dilemmas involving life and death require quick and concise decisions that others will review for months.
As a prospective judge, what do you consider your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I feel one of my greatest strengths would be the perspective I bring having been directly involved with the criminal justice system for over 33 years.
I have developed my leadership abilities, attending many leadership courses from KU, FBI and West Point. My career has placed me in the Troop D Captain position for the past five years. So, I feel my greatest strength is the knowledge I bring to the magistrate judge position of over 33 years of serving in law enforcement.
I feel my greatest weakness will be following the career of Magistrate Judge Flax and his 28 years of experience and gaining the confidence of defense and prosecuting attorneys.
I understand the reservations attorneys who I’ve faced in court proceedings over the past 33 years but look forward to building professional relationships with the entire judicial system to ensure justice is being served impartially and justly.
Have you ever been arrested? When and on what charges? What was the outcome?
Some 37 years ago, while attending Oktoberfest as a teenager, I engaged in youthful indiscretion as I possessed an alcoholic beverage while under the age of 21.
It was a good lesson in life, teaching me as a teenager that trying to fit in and giving in to peer pressures has its consequences. I was guilty of the crime, and though I was not physically arrested, I was sighted for the violation of underage possession of alcohol and plead to the charge.
Have you ever been a principal, named litigant in a civil matter? How did it affect you?
I cannot recall having ever been named as a litigant in a civil matter. I have received erroneous notices over the past 33 years of frivolous suits that addressed a dislike in my capacity as a government official. None had merit. and none were ever filed officially to my knowledge.
Have you ever been a victim of a crime? How did it impact you (if at all)?
I have been named as the victim in crimes such as “battery on a law enforcement officer” and others throughout my career. One of the most serious would be the crime of “attempted murder of a law enforcement officer."
A suspect had engaged me from a tree row with a high-powered rifle, sending rounds through my patrol vehicle.
The Kansas Highway Patrol does an outstanding job of equipping and training its Troopers. The outcome involved the successful containment of the suspect while holding the perimeter that I was on.
Unfortunately, such crimes against law enforcement tend to affect the officer’s family more than the officer. So, the impact on me stemmed more from watching my family deal with such a crime than from me personally dealing with it.
Travis Phillips is running against incumbent Richard Flax for the 23rd Judicial District, pos. 3 magistrate judge position. See Flax's questionnaire here.
When and where to vote
Early voting will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays starting Monday, Oct. 21, and running through noon Monday, Nov. 4. Saturday early voting will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2.
Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5. Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Watch the Hays Post for complete election results on Election night.