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

Eric Starnes is from Texas. He has a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, and a juris doctor degree from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law.

Eric Starnes - Ballotpedia

Eric Starnes - Tarrant County GOP

Eric Starnes has a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, and a law degree from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law.

Eric is a judge at Tarrant County Criminal Court Number 7. He works at the Tarrant County Criminal Court Number 7. He previously worked at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and the Euless Police Department.

Eric previously worked at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and the Euless Police Department.

Eric Starnes is currently the judge for Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7. He was elected in 2022.

Eric is currently the judge for Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7. He was elected in 2022.

Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As a county court judge, he conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain criminal cases.

As an assistant district attorney, he prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

- As a county court judge, he conducts preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issues search and arrest warrants, and determines sentencing in certain criminal cases.
- As an assistant district attorney, he prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

Legal Experience

Seeks to efficiently move cases through the court system.

- Seeks to efficiently move cases through the court system.

Judicial Administration

Promises to ensure the "professional and just treatment" of all who enter his courtroom.

- Promises to ensure the "professional and just treatment" of all who enter his courtroom.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 22, 2026, Eric Starnes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Eric Starnes

Eric is from Texas. He attended Sam Houston State University. He has a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, and a juris doctor degree from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law.

Eric is a judge for the Tarrant County Criminal Court at Law, Court Number 7. He works at the Tarrant County Criminal Court at Law, where he has been since January 1, 2023. He previously worked at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney starting in 2017. Before that, he spent more than 23 years with the Euless Police Department, where he began as a patrol officer and rose to lieutenant of investigations.

Eric Starnes is currently the judge for Number 7 of the Tarrant County Criminal Court in Texas. He was elected in 2022.

Eric is a judge for the Tarrant County Criminal Court at Law. He has served in that role since January 1, 2023. He previously worked as an assistant criminal district attorney at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2022 and as a police officer with the City of Euless from 1993 to 2017.

Eric Starnes is currently Judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7. He was elected in 2022 and has served one term.

Eric Starnes is from Texas. He has a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University, a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, and a law degree from Texas Wesleyan University. He is a father.

Eric is a judge for Tarrant County Criminal Court at Law Number 7. He is also an assistant criminal district attorney at the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, where he has worked since 2017. He previously served the citizens of Tarrant County from 1993 to 2017 as a police officer with the City of Euless. He worked his way up from a patrol officer to lieutenant of investigations. He also worked as an investigations commander. Eric has experience in private law practice. He has also served as a published writer and a professor, educating students on laws related to the Fourth Amendment's search and seizure clause. 

Eric is currently a judge for Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7. He was elected in 2022 and his current term ends in 2026.

Eric is from Texas. He attended Sam Houston State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He has a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Texas and a juris doctor degree from Texas Wesleyan School of Law.

Eric Starnes is currently judge of Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 7 in Texas. He was elected in 2022 and has served one term.

Zachary Mangels

Walter Ley

- 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.

Tarrant County Criminal Court at Law Judge, Post 7, Republican Primary

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