Denton County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
James KerbowRepublican IncumbentTrista WillefordDemocratic
On ballot as
James Kerbow
Trista Willeford
Current role
Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (since January 1, 2019)
Not found
Background
- Born and raised in Denton County (per 2026 Ballotpedia survey)
- Church youth leader for middle school students, with his wife (same survey)
- Lewisville resident for nearly 20 years (per campaign)
- Leader of finance and accounting organizations for more than 30 years (per campaign)
Experience
- Unopposed for a second term; seeking a third
- Property management, 8 years before being elected (per 2026 Ballotpedia survey)
- Neighborhood leader in Orchard Valley Estates (per campaign)
- Democratic primary (March 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
- "Since my first election, I have taken the court paperless, making it more efficient and saving tax payers money."
- "Courtroom accessibility": "we have made Zoom available to access the court to ease the burden on those facing hardships"
- "Community impact": says he partnered with other Denton County judges and LISD to combine LISD's truancy filings in his court
- Accessibility: "flexible options to accommodate working families, those with physical barriers, or scheduling challenges"
- Truancy prevention: "partnering with LISD to keep kids in school"
- Court efficiency: "Streamline court operations to reduce wait times"
Tidbits
- Judicial philosophy: In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey: "A court that is more available and accessible is a court for the People."
- Court administration: In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey: "Since my first election, I have taken the court paperless, making it more efficient and saving tax payers money."
- Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "A judge's responsibility is to apply the law fairly, treat everyone with dignity, and run an efficient court."
- Court administration: Campaign site: "Streamline court operations to reduce wait times, minimize unnecessary delays, and ensure cases are handled promptly and effectively"
Endorsements
- True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- D3C – Denton County Conservative Coalition (listed by campaign)
- Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (listed by campaign)
- Delia Parker-Mims, Denton County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
- Young Democrats of Denton County (listed by campaign)
- Representative Vikki Goodwin, candidate for Texas Lt. Governor (listed by campaign)
- Texas Progressive Caucus (listed by campaign)
- Blue Horizon Texas PAC (listed by campaign)
Show all 8
- Nick Pappas, candidate for Denton County Judge (listed by campaign)
- John Gioffredi, Attorney, Gioffredi & Associates, Dallas (listed by campaign)
- Alex Fultz, Co-Chair, Lewisville Democrat Club (listed by campaign)
James Kerbow
Republican Incumbent- On ballot as
- James Kerbow
- Current role
- Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (since January 1, 2019)
- Background
- Born and raised in Denton County (per 2026 Ballotpedia survey)
- Church youth leader for middle school students, with his wife (same survey)
- Experience
- Unopposed for a second term; seeking a third
- Property management, 8 years before being elected (per 2026 Ballotpedia survey)
- Top priorities
- "Since my first election, I have taken the court paperless, making it more efficient and saving tax payers money."
- "Courtroom accessibility": "we have made Zoom available to access the court to ease the burden on those facing hardships"
- "Community impact": says he partnered with other Denton County judges and LISD to combine LISD's truancy filings in his court
- Tidbits
- Judicial philosophy: In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey: "A court that is more available and accessible is a court for the People."
- Court administration: In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey: "Since my first election, I have taken the court paperless, making it more efficient and saving tax payers money."
- Endorsements
- True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- D3C – Denton County Conservative Coalition (listed by campaign)
- Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (listed by campaign)
- Campaign website
- Not found
Trista Willeford
Democratic- On ballot as
- Trista Willeford
- Current role
- Not found
- Background
- Lewisville resident for nearly 20 years (per campaign)
- Leader of finance and accounting organizations for more than 30 years (per campaign)
- Experience
- Neighborhood leader in Orchard Valley Estates (per campaign)
- Democratic primary (March 2026): unopposed
- Top priorities
- Accessibility: "flexible options to accommodate working families, those with physical barriers, or scheduling challenges"
- Truancy prevention: "partnering with LISD to keep kids in school"
- Court efficiency: "Streamline court operations to reduce wait times"
- Tidbits
- Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "A judge's responsibility is to apply the law fairly, treat everyone with dignity, and run an efficient court."
- Court administration: Campaign site: "Streamline court operations to reduce wait times, minimize unnecessary delays, and ensure cases are handled promptly and effectively"
- Endorsements
- Delia Parker-Mims, Denton County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
- Young Democrats of Denton County (listed by campaign)
- Representative Vikki Goodwin, candidate for Texas Lt. Governor (listed by campaign)
- Texas Progressive Caucus (listed by campaign)
- Blue Horizon Texas PAC (listed by campaign)
Show all 8
- Nick Pappas, candidate for Denton County Judge (listed by campaign)
- John Gioffredi, Attorney, Gioffredi & Associates, Dallas (listed by campaign)
- Alex Fultz, Co-Chair, Lewisville Democrat Club (listed by campaign)
- Campaign website
- tristaforjustice.com
Open in the full comparison: Denton County