My name is Trista Willeford, and I'm running to serve as your next Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3. I've called Lewisville home for nearly 20 years, but my roots here run even deeper I've watched my nieces and nephews grow up through LISD schools since the '90s. As a grandmother of a special needs grandson and someone who once navigated life as a single mother, I understand the real challenges our families face. These experiences have shaped who I am, and they drive my belief that fairness, dignity, and respect should guide every part of our justice system.

Trista Willeford for Justice of the Peace | Denton County Precinct 3

Neighborhood Leader

In Orchard Valley Estates, I took the lead helping neighbors in need, organizing gatherings and park meetups, and helping solve problems together.

Trista Willeford is a grandmother and has organized neighborhood gatherings and park meetups in Orchard Valley Estates.

For more than 30 years, I have led finance and accounting organizations where every decision required accuracy, accountability, compliance, and careful interpretation of laws, regulations, contracts, and policies. My professional background and life experiences have prepared me to listen carefully, evaluate facts objectively, follow the law, and treat every person with dignity and respect.

Trista Willeford has led finance and accounting organizations for more than 30 years.

Board Elections (May 2025 Election)

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 3

Democratic candidate Trista Willeford will appear on the November ballot, having won the primary with 8,134 votes after running unopposed.

2026 Texas primary live election coverage

Trista won the Democratic primary for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, running unopposed with 8,134 votes, and will appear on the November ballot. She previously withdrew from the Lewisville Independent School District Board of Trustees At-Large Place 7 election.

2026 Texas Primary Live Election Coverage | News | ntdaily.com

2026 Texas General Election

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

Legal Experience

Accessibility

Ensure the court is accessible to everyone in our community, with flexible options to accommodate working families, those with physical barriers, or scheduling challenges. Justice should be accessible to all.

Court Efficiency

Streamline court operations to reduce wait times, minimize unnecessary delays, and ensure cases are handled promptly and effectively so our community gets the swift justice it deserves.

Truancy Prevention

Take a proactive approach to truancy by working directly with at-risk students and partnering with LISD to keep kids in school, address root causes, and connect families with the resources they need to succeed.

Plans to make the court accessible through flexible options for people with work, physical access, or scheduling barriers.

Plans to streamline court operations to reduce wait times and unnecessary delays, and handle cases promptly.

Plans to work with at-risk students and Lewisville Independent School District on truancy prevention and family resource connections.

- Plans to make the court accessible through flexible options for people with work, physical access, or scheduling barriers.
- Plans to streamline court operations to reduce wait times and unnecessary delays, and handle cases promptly.
- Plans to work with at-risk students and Lewisville Independent School District on truancy prevention and family resource connections.

Judicial Administration

I believe that justice transcends politics. When someone stands before the bench, their background should never matter only the facts of their case. Every person deserves fair treatment, access to opportunity, and equal protection under the law. These are the foundation of American justice, and they will guide every decision I make.

My Judicial Philosophy

A judge's responsibility is to apply the law fairly, treat everyone with dignity, and run an efficient court. Compassion and fairness are not opposites. Every person who comes before the court deserves to be heard, respected, and treated equally under the law.

Believes judges should apply the law fairly and ensure people are heard, treated with dignity, and treated equally regardless of background.

- Believes judges should apply the law fairly and ensure people are heard, treated with dignity, and treated equally regardless of background.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Led neighborhood assistance efforts, gatherings, park meetups, and collaborative problem-solving in Orchard Valley Estates.

- Led neighborhood assistance efforts, gatherings, park meetups, and collaborative problem-solving in Orchard Valley Estates.

Community Involvement

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Trista Willeford

Trista Willeford has lived in Lewisville for nearly 20 years. She is a grandmother of a special needs grandson.

Trista Willeford — Donate via ActBlue

Trista Willeford was elected in 2026 and is currently serving her first term.

Meet the Primary Candidates: Justice of the Peace Precinct 3

Has 30 years of experience in finance and accounting.

Supports streamlining court operations to reduce wait times and ensure prompt case handling.

Believes in making the court accessible to everyone, including working families and those with physical barriers.

Believes a judge's responsibility is to apply the law fairly, treat everyone with dignity, and run an efficient court.

Trista Willeford's campaign for Denton Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 3.

Believes in the importance of legal experience for judges, emphasizing the need for careful interpretation of laws and objective evaluation of facts.

Believes in making the court accessible to all, including working families and those with physical barriers.

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- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.