Candidates for County Office in 2018
In the 2018, we will elect candidates to office on multiple levels: county, state, and federal. To help you learn more about who we elect as a people and about the Democrats who want to serve you in office, we have created this guide about the 2018 elections.
Below is a list of the various county offices where we will elect people in 2018. You can click through to find out more about the Democratic candidates running for each office.
County Judge
The County Judge is the leader of the Commissioners Court. The Commissioners Court has broad authority and duty governing the county. The County Judge presides over Commissioners Court meetings, performs some judicial duties, and acts as the head of emergency management. The County Judge serves for a four-year term.
County Commissioner
A County Commissioner is a member of the Commissioners Court. The Commissioners Court has broad authority and duty governing the county. The Commissioners Court sets the county’s budget and tax rate, fills vacancies in elected and appointed offices, maintains county buildings and infrastructure, etc. Each Commissioner represents the interests of one of the four precincts in the county. A Commissioner serves for a four-year term.
District Attorney
The District Attorney represents the county in District Court. The District Attorney coordinates with the police in criminal investigations, prosecutes felony criminal cases, presents cases to grand juries, provides protective orders, and represents the state when removing children from unsafe or abusive households. The District Attorney serves for a four-year term.
County Clerk
The County Clerk supports the functioning of the Commissioners Court and County Court. The County Clerk keeps the records of the Commissioners and County Court, issues marriage licenses, maintains important public records like birth and death certificates, and can act as the chief elections officer. The County Clerk serves for a four-year term.
County Treasurer
The County Treasurer acts as the chief financial officer of the County. The Treasurer manages incoming county revenue, prepares payroll, manages the relationship between the county and banks, and releases funds per the orders of the Commissioners Court. The County Treasurer serves for a four-year term.
Judges of the County Court at Law
Judges of the County Court of Law preside over legal matters in the County Court. A County Court normally has jurisdiction over Class A and B misdemeanors, probate matters, and appeals from the Justice and Municipal Courts. Additionally, the County Court has jurisdiction on matters of Juvenile Justice. A Judge of the County Court at Law serves for a four-year term.
Justices of the Peace
A Justice of the Peace preside over legal matters in the Justice Court. A Justice Court normally has jurisdiction over traffic violations and Class C misdemeanors, civil cases where the disputes is worth $10,000 or less, landlord and tenant disputes, and truancy cases. A Justice of the Peace serves for a four-year term.