This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Susan Piel

Susan Piel is currently the judge for Number 2 of the Denton County Criminal Court at Law in Texas. She was first elected in 2018.

Susan Piel - Ballotpedia

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Susan is from Carrollton, Texas. She attended Newman Smith High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Baylor University and a juris doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. She lives with her husband, Cary, and their three children in Argyle. She attends Argyle United Methodist Church.

Susan is a judge. She works at the Denton County Criminal Court at Law, where she has been since 2018. She previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Denton County, where she prosecuted 175 jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to felony murder, managed staff, and oversaw the prosecution of 40,000 cases.

Susan Piel is currently a judge of Denton County Criminal Court at Law No. 2. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term.

Susan Piel is from Carrollton, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree in communications from Baylor University and a law degree from Texas Tech University. Susan lives in Argyle with her husband, Cary, and their three children. She is a member of Argyle United Methodist Church.

Susan is a judge for Denton County Criminal Court at Law. She previously served as an assistant district attorney for Denton County, where she prosecuted 175 jury trials and oversaw the prosecution of 40,000 cases. She also worked as an attorney in private practice. 

Susan is currently a judge for the Denton County Criminal Court at Law No. 2. She was first elected in 2018. Her current term ends in 2026.

2026 Candidate Filings | Denton County GOP

Susan Piel is from Carrollton, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree in communications from Baylor University and a law degree from Texas Tech University. She lives in Argyle with her husband, Cary, and their three children. She is a member of Argyle United Methodist Church.

Weir: Susan Piel running for Judgeship | Southern Denton County

Susan is a judge for the Denton County Criminal Court at Law. She previously served as an assistant district attorney for Denton County, where she prosecuted over 175 jury trials. 

Susan is currently a judge for the Denton County Criminal Court No. 2. She was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Her current term ends in 2026.

Susan is a judge for the Denton County Criminal Court at Law. She previously served as an assistant district attorney for Denton County.

Susan is currently a judge for Number 2 of the Denton County Criminal Court at Law. She was first elected in 2018. Her current term ends in 2026.

Rafael Perez

Walter Ley

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

- Handles cases for Class A misdemeanors–including assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer when resisting or evading arrest–and Class B misdemeanors–including criminal mischief and property theft between $100 and $750.
- Serves as an appellate judge for cases from local courts. They work on all cases they receive until they are closed or appealed to a higher court.
- County criminal court-at-law judges are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for county criminal court-at-law judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles various misdemeanors and criminal appeals from local courts.