Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

District Judge, 371st Judicial District

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

Tarrant County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
Ryan HillRyan HillRepublican Incumbent
Marquetta 'MarQ' ClaytonDemocratic
On ballot as
Ryan Hill
Marquetta 'MarQ' Clayton
Current role
Judge, 371st District Court (appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott; announced March 23, 2022)
Attorney; founder, The Clayton Law Firm
Background
  • J.D., St. Mary's University (2008)
  • Licensed in Texas since November 2008
  • Member, Federalist Society (per campaign)
  • B.A. in Mathematics, University of Oklahoma
  • J.D., Texas A&M University School of Law (December 2015)
  • Licensed to practice law in Texas since May 2016
  • Arlington ISD schools (per campaign)
Experience
  • Former Tarrant County chief prosecutor
  • Over thirteen years of experience as a criminal prosecutor (per campaign)
  • Board certified in criminal law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Faculty adviser, Texas District and County Attorneys Association (per campaign)
  • Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
  • Has served as a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, family law attorney and Assistant County Attorney in Hood County (per campaign)
  • Executive Director, Girl2Girl Foundation (per campaign)
  • Former chair, Tarrant County Expunction Clinic (per campaign)
  • Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
  • "My judicial philosophy is that the Judge makes rulings based on the laws as written and should never legislate from the bench."
  • "I have a strategic plan to ensure felony cases are not pending more than three years."
  • "I plan to enhance rehabilitation programs to include career readiness skills"
  • "I am committed to bringing sound reasoning to decision making."
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "My judicial philosophy is that the Judge makes rulings based on the laws as written and should never legislate from the bench."
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "As judge, Ryan runs an efficient and fair court and follows the law as written"
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: she believes in "holding individuals accountable when necessary while recognizing the power of rehabilitation and second chances"
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "I have a strategic plan to ensure felony cases are not pending more than three years."
Endorsements
None found in our research
None found in our research
Ryan Hill

Ryan Hill

Republican Incumbent
On ballot as
Ryan Hill
Current role
Judge, 371st District Court (appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott; announced March 23, 2022)
Background
  • J.D., St. Mary's University (2008)
  • Licensed in Texas since November 2008
  • Member, Federalist Society (per campaign)
Experience
  • Former Tarrant County chief prosecutor
  • Over thirteen years of experience as a criminal prosecutor (per campaign)
  • Board certified in criminal law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Faculty adviser, Texas District and County Attorneys Association (per campaign)
  • Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
  • "My judicial philosophy is that the Judge makes rulings based on the laws as written and should never legislate from the bench."
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "My judicial philosophy is that the Judge makes rulings based on the laws as written and should never legislate from the bench."
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "As judge, Ryan runs an efficient and fair court and follows the law as written"
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
ryanhillforjudge.com

Marquetta 'MarQ' Clayton

Democratic
On ballot as
Marquetta 'MarQ' Clayton
Current role
Attorney; founder, The Clayton Law Firm
Background
  • B.A. in Mathematics, University of Oklahoma
  • J.D., Texas A&M University School of Law (December 2015)
  • Licensed to practice law in Texas since May 2016
  • Arlington ISD schools (per campaign)
Experience
  • Has served as a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, family law attorney and Assistant County Attorney in Hood County (per campaign)
  • Executive Director, Girl2Girl Foundation (per campaign)
  • Former chair, Tarrant County Expunction Clinic (per campaign)
  • Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
  • "I have a strategic plan to ensure felony cases are not pending more than three years."
  • "I plan to enhance rehabilitation programs to include career readiness skills"
  • "I am committed to bringing sound reasoning to decision making."
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: she believes in "holding individuals accountable when necessary while recognizing the power of rehabilitation and second chances"
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "I have a strategic plan to ensure felony cases are not pending more than three years."
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
marqclaytonforjudge.com