2026 Texas General Election

Ashley Smith is a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law.

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Ashley Smith earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from Texas Tech University and a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Ashley currently resides in the Dallas area.

Ashley is an attorney. She has experience as both a plaintiff's attorney and a defense attorney. She has represented individuals and businesses in a wide range of civil matters. Ashley has been named a "Texas Rising Star" by Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2025. She also made the Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list in 2023 and 2024. She served as the course director for the State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Planning Committee and was an American Board of Trial Advocates National Trial Judge Fellow in 2022. 

We recommend in the 298th District Court, Democratic primary - The Dallas Morning News

Ashley currently works as a partner at Fee, Smith & Sharp LLP, a Dallas-based civil litigation law firm. She previously worked as an associate attorney at Lopez Law Group PLLC, Engvall & Lopez LLP, and Bergquist Law Firm.

Ashley Smith's campaign for Texas District Judge, District 298, is her first time running for public office.

Lake Highlands White Rock Democrats

Ashley's campaign for Texas District Judge, District 298, is her first time running for public office.

Has experience as both a plaintiff's attorney and a defense attorney.

Believes her broad civil litigation experience prepares her for the bench.

As a partner at Fee, Smith & Sharp LLP, Ashley manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

As a legal associate/attorney at Fee, Smith & Sharp LLP, Engvall & Lopez LLP, and Bergquist Law Firm, Ashley researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in Texas civil law matters.

- Believes her broad civil litigation experience prepares her for the bench.
- As a partner at Fee, Smith & Sharp LLP, Ashley manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.
- As a legal associate/attorney at Fee, Smith & Sharp LLP, Engvall & Lopez LLP, and Bergquist Law Firm, Ashley researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in Texas civil law matters.

Legal Experience

Supports improving uniformity and consistency in court operations.

Advocates for addressing delays and improving case management.

- Supports improving uniformity and consistency in court operations.
- Advocates for addressing delays and improving case management.

Judicial Administration

Prioritizes fairness and impartiality as the core purpose of a judge.

Believes a judge should focus on process rather than advocacy.

- Prioritizes fairness and impartiality as the core purpose of a judge.
- Believes a judge should focus on process rather than advocacy.

Judicial Philosophy

As of July 22, 2026, Ashley Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Served as the course director for the State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Planning Committee.

- Served as the course director for the State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Planning Committee.

Community Involvement

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Ashley Smith

Buket Urgen

Clark B. Will graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

Clark is a judge. He works at the 298th Judicial District Court. He previously worked at Kilgore & Kilgore, Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser, several law firms in Dallas and Fort Worth, and the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Clark previously worked at various law firms and as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Clark B. Will's campaign for Texas District Judge, District 298, Republican Primary is his first entry into politics.

Clark's campaign for Texas District Judge, District 298, Republican Primary is his first entry into politics.

Served as an officer in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps for 6 years.

Served as an officer in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps for six years.

Served as an election judge in Dallas County for 10 years.

Able to practice in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

- Served as an officer in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps for six years.
- Served as an election judge in Dallas County for 10 years.
- Able to practice in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Aims to "streamline dockets, reduce backlogs, and improve caseflow so justice isn't delayed."

- Aims to "streamline dockets, reduce backlogs, and improve caseflow so justice isn't delayed."

Said, "Judicial decisions must follow the Constitution and statutes—not polling data or political pressure. 10 years as election judge taught me impartiality is a discipline, not a slogan."

Claims judicial decisions must follow the Constitution and statutes—not polling data or political pressure.

- Claims judicial decisions must follow the Constitution and statutes—not polling data or political pressure.

As of July 22, 2026, Clark B. Will’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Clark B. Will

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 

Texas District Judge, District 298

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement