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

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Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

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John Brender has a bachelor's degree in government and history from the The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from Baylor University School of Law. He lives with his wife, Brittyn, and their two children. 

John is an attorney. He works at Brender Law Firm, where he defends clients in personal injury cases, trucking and car collisions, train collisions, jail death cases, and criminal matters. He previously worked as a felony prosecutor.

See results for Tarrant County races on the Nov. 5 ballot ...

John currently works as a principal at The Brender Law Firm. He previously worked as a prosecutor at the Dallas District Attorney's Office and as an associate at the Law Offices of Art Brender.

Tarrant Democrats nominate Fort Worth lawyer for 485th judge | Fort ...

John previously ran for Tarrant County Criminal District Judge No. 3 in 2024 and Tarrant’s 485th District judge in 2022, but did not win. 

The Brender Law Firm

As an attorney at The Brender Law Firm, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense.

- As an attorney at The Brender Law Firm, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense.

Legal Experience

Plans to maintain regular court hours to prevent case backlog.

Wants to expedite non-violent criminal cases.

- Plans to maintain regular court hours to prevent case backlog.
- Wants to expedite non-violent criminal cases.

Judicial Administration

As of January 22, 2026, John Brender did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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John Brender

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

Zachary Mangels

Walter Ley

Aims to "increase fairness and reduce costs for the taxpayers if elected."

- Has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters in the district.
- Cases either go to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Court of Criminal Appeals, where their legal reasoning may be reviewed. May hear appeals from county courts when authorized.
- County’s criminal courts administration–which has positions like case managers, magistrate support officers, and bailiffs–reports to each county’s criminal district judge.
- Criminal District Judges are elected through partisan, county-wide elections to four-year terms. 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 eight years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The salary for Criminal District Judges range from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Presides over all felony criminal cases within the elected district.

Tarrant Criminal District Judge, Democratic Primary

Election results

Candidates (1)