Campaign Phone
361-244-3874
My motivation to run for the office of Judge of County Court at Law No. 5 stems from a deep sense of calling to serve the most vulnerable in our community. Twenty years ago, I recognized the critical role this court plays in protecting abused and neglected children, supporting elderly and incapacitated individuals, and guiding wayward youth toward better paths. The work isn't just a job—it's a profound responsibility that demands compassion, justice, and innovation. Seeing the direct impact on families and lives fueled my decision to seek this position initially and now drives my re-election campaign. I believe in this mission wholeheartedly and know I can continue making a meaningful difference.
My strongest competency is my judicial experience and my program innovation, honed over more than 10 years as the longest-serving judge in this court's history. This tenure has equipped me with expertise in handling CPS cases, juvenile matters, guardianships, and appeals. A key life experience qualifying me is establishing and expanding specialty courts, such as the CPS Drug Court, which I've grown through collaborations at local, state, and national levels. Largely grant-funded, it reunites families and provides child stability without taxpayer burden. I've also led the Juvenile Drug Court and am launching one for violent juvenile crime. My governor's appointment to the TJJD advisory board also allows me to shape policy statewide.
The number one concern expressed by residents is the rising issue of youth substance abuse and violence, which threatens community safety and family stability. Residents often share stories of affected loved ones and worry about inadequate resources for prevention rehabilitation, and accountability. My response is proactive: I've prioritized expanding specialty courts to address these directly. Our Juvenile Drug Court already provides support for struggling youth, and I'm launching a new program focused on violent juvenile crime to intervene early and prevent escalation. By building on our successful track record, collaborating with community partners, and securing grants, we can stop to prevent these issues and save lives.
As the longest-serving Judge of Nueces County Court at Law 5, I have dedicated over a decade to upholding justice with compassion, fairness, and a relentless focus on our communities most vulnerable. If re-elected, my top three priorities will be: (1) accelerating permanency for children in CPS cases while prioritizing the children's best interest, (2) integrating mental health resources into juvenile criminal matters to reduce recidivism, and (3) continuing to innovate how guardianship cases are handled in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens. I will address these with the same hands-on approach that has defined my tenure, leveraging partnerships, data-driven strategies, and community input to create lasting change.
