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

Jennifer Peña

Jennifer Peña received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her J. D. from St. Mary's University School of Law. She taught American law at the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo in Guayaquil, Ecuador after she graduated law school.

Jennifer Peña - Ballotpedia

District Courts | Bexar County, TX - Official Website

Jennifer is a judge of the Texas 290th District Court. She previously served as a prosecutor in Cameron County and Bexar County. She also taught American law at the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Before taking the bench, she started her own law practice in 2009. 

Jennifer is currently a judge of the Texas 290th District Court. She was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. She previously ran for the same court in 2014 but did not win.

As a prosecutor, served in Cameron County and Bexar County.

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

LinkedIn

Zachary Mangels

Walter Ley

Jennifer Peña attended the University of Texas at Austin. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Jennifer is a judge of the Texas 290th District Court. She works at the Texas 290th District Court, where she has been since January 1, 2019. She previously worked as a prosecutor in Cameron County and Bexar County, started her own law practice in 2009, and taught American law at the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo in Guayaquil, Ecuador after law school.

As a prosecutor in the 73rd District Court, Peña oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, worked with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and investigate criminal and civil violations, and provided legal counsel and representation to state and county officials in lawsuits against the government.

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

- 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. 