Local Races
Who's on your ballot for the runoff?
A survey was sent out to the following races in El Paso County.
Go to your sample ballot at epcountyvotes.com/voter-information/dashboard
Come back and learn more about the candidates so you can vote confidently.
*Uncontested means there is a single candidate in that race with no opponents.
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Justices of the Peace (Places 1, 2, 5, 6.1, 6.2)
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County Courts at Law (Court 2)
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District Court Judges (168th)
Justices of the Peace
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Justice of the Peace Place 1
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Octavio Dominguez
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Why are you running? I am running for Justice of the Peace because these courts are often the public’s first—and sometimes only—interaction with the justice system, and they must function fairly, efficiently, and accessibly for everyone. I have seen firsthand how JP court decisions affect people’s daily lives, from housing stability to financial security, and I believe these courts should operate with professionalism, clarity, and respect.
Through my work in the courtroom, I understand how JP courts function in practice and where they can better serve the public. Too often, litigants appear without attorneys, uncertain of the process and overwhelmed by the system. I believe courts should reduce confusion, not create it, and should ensure that people understand their rights and obligations while being treated with dignity. I am running to bring consistent procedures, meaningful access, and clear communication to the JP court. That means maintaining court operations that accommodate working people, fostering effective communication between court staff and litigants, and ensuring decisions are explained clearly and applied fairly. Efficiency and fairness are not competing values—they go hand in hand.
I also believe that judges must be ready to serve from day one. My experience inside busy court systems has prepared me to manage heavy dockets, work collaboratively with court staff, and make timely, well-reasoned decisions grounded in the law and facts. Ultimately, I am running to serve the community with integrity, impartiality, and respect. A Justice of the Peace should be prepared, accessible, and fair—and I am committed to providing exactly that.
Tell us about yourself. I am a lifelong El Pasoan, attorney, and candidate for Justice of the Peace committed to fairness, accessibility, and professionalism in our courts. I was born and raised in El Paso and returned home after completing my education because I believe public service is most meaningful when it serves the community that raised you.
My legal career has been spent inside courtrooms, working with judges, court staff, attorneys, and members of the public. After law school, I served as a law clerk to two federal judges, an experience that strengthened my understanding of judicial decision-making, ethics, and the importance of clear, well-reasoned rulings. I later served as a supervising Deputy Public Defender for the Office of the El Paso County Public Defender, where I managed high-volume dockets and represented thousands of clients.
What is your background? I attended Saint Joseph’s School and Cathedral High School in El Paso before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor from SMU Dedman School of Law.
In addition to my professional work, I have been active in the local Democratic community and have previously been involved with organizations including the El Paso Bar Association, the El Paso Federal Bar Association, and the El Paso Young Lawyers.
I am a family man and father of 2 young boys, and my commitment to public service is grounded in a belief that courts should be fair, accessible, and accountable to the people they serve. My education, courtroom experience, and community involvement have shaped my dedication to serving El Paso with integrity and professionalism.
Why are you running? I have been practicing law for over 25 years. I am a trial attorney and for all 25 years I have tried cases before juries. I know the law and have navigated my way before many, many judges. I have learned how a courtroom should be handled and what is effective and what does not work. My experience allows me to naturally transition into the role of a judge. I have always hoped that presiding on a bench would ultimately be the next chapter in my career.
Tell us about yourself. I am a mother, first and foremost. This is a role I will cherish and prioritize for life. I was blessed to have an amazing career as a prosecutor, trying the most serious of murder and capital murder cases. I held that position for 20 years. I spent my entire prosecutorial career inside of a courtroom, representing and advocating on behalf of victims of the most serious offenses. Currently, I manage my own law firm and have been practicing criminal defense in both federal and state courts for the last five years.
What is your background? I was born and raised here in El Paso. I attended Coronado high school, graduating in the top 2%. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Journalism, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Angelo State University. I then received my Juris Doctor from Texas Tech School of Law and became a licensed attorney at the age of 24. I have been involved with various bar associations throughout my career, to include serving as President of the El Paso Young Lawyers Association and serving on the board for the El Paso Bar Association. I was a member of the District Grievance Committee for 5 years handling grievances filed against attorneys practicing here in El Paso. I currently serve on the WDTX Admissions Committee, where a panel of attorneys screen and vet lawyers who have applied to practice law in federal court. I was recently nominated to become a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Why are you running? I am running for Justice of the Peace in Precinct Two because I love to serve my community of Northeast El Paso and want to continue to do so. As a Justice of the Peace, I can serve my Northeast El Paso community in many ways and help improve the best community in El Paso. Since I was first elected to office in 2010, my staff and I have found and implemented several programs to assist students and parents affected by truancy. We have helped thousands of students graduate high school and there are still many more I wish to help.
Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Northeast El Paso and am a proud resident for over 60 years and counting. I have been married to my high school crush, Audrey for 40 years and hoping for many more. I have two incredible daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. I was a firefighter for 23 years. Of the 23 years I served as a firefighter, 17 years were in Northeast El Paso. I received a bachelor's degree in business from University of Phoenix El Paso, TX in 2005. It is a privilege to serve as a member of the Northeast Rotary, RYLA-Youth Leadership Program, Flags Across America, Veterans at Breakfast, Tejano Democrats of El Paso, and El Paso Community College Board of Trustees. Most importantly, with the continued support of the Northeast El Paso community, I serve as the Justice of the Peace for Precinct Two.
What is your background? I have over 15 years of experience as a Justice of the Peace. I have experience in real estate, which directly benefits the court, particularly in handling eviction cases fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. I have been the Chair of the Board of Trustees for El Paso Community College for the past 9 years and have served on the Board of Trustees for 30 years. This has given me valuable insight into the education system and the challenges faced by students and parents which is valuable when hearing truancy cases. I have completed countless hours of judicial training through the Texas Justice Court Training Center and continue to do so because you can never have enough training.
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Justice of the Peace Place 2
Why are you running? I want to make the jp2 court accessible. Open Monday through Friday, phones answered by a person. Smarter truancy reform, transparency and compassion. Consistent justice that is fair and equitable to the northeast residents. Giving back the people's court to the people.
Tell us about yourself. I bring with me 29 years of distinguished law enforcement service and 5 years of courtroom experience. I proudly retired as a Sergeant with the El Paso Police Department in October 2019 and currently serve in the 383rd District Court.
In this role, I not only ensure the safety of all litigants, but I also manage the docketing of court hearings, process time-sensitive rulings and notices, oversee case dismissals, investigate direct threats to the four judges I serve, and address complaints with diligence and impartiality.
In addition to my courtroom responsibilities, I work closely with the Council of Judges for El Paso County and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. I collaborate with multiple agencies to enhance public safety, uphold Texas law, and improve the quality of life for our community. I serve on the Courthouse Safety Committee, teach the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure to both permanent and temporary bailiffs, and assist in drafting and implementing policy and procedure. I also provide instruction on use of force and courthouse security protocols, ensuring that our justice system operates safely, effectively, and in compliance with the law. As a lifelong resident of Northeast El Paso, I am deeply committed to establishing a court that applies the law with fairness, integrity, and compassion. My goal is to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely and accessible manner to all residents served by the Justice of the Peace court.
What is your background? Honorably Retired police sergeant. Current bailiff of 383rd district Court. Court coordinator, instructor, policy writer for Council of Judges. Studied at UTEP and Sam Houston. Medal of Valor recipient.
Christie Saiz
Justice of the Peace Place 5
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No survey response was submitted.
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No survey response was submitted.
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Justice of the Peace Place 6.1
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No survey response was submitted.
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No survey response was submitted.
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Justice of the Peace Place 6.2
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No survey response was submitted.
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No survey response was submitted.
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Why are you running? Public service is personal to me. Having served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I’ve seen firsthand how the justice system affects people’s lives from every perspective. I am running to ensure that justice in this court remains accessible, impartial, and swift. My broad experience across criminal, municipal, and civil litigation allows me to approach every case with seasoned judgment and deep respect for due process. As Judge Julie Gonzalez prepares to retire, I am ready to build on the court's strong foundation with my own leadership experience. If elected, I will lead a courtroom that respects the time of jurors, protects the rights of the accused, and honors the voices of victims.
Tell us about yourself. Born and raised in El Paso, I graduated from Montwood High School. I earned my undergraduate degree from University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. I proudly served as a prosecutor with the El Paso District Attorney’s Office where I handled countless contested hearings in various District and County courts. I have litigated a broad range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to the most serious felonies including domestic violence, aggravated assault, and crimes against children. I also held leadership roles as Trial Team Chief and Domestic Violence Unit Chief, and helped revive the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit. My commitment to justice continues through my private practice, where I represent indigent criminal defense clients appointed by the courts. I have also managed complex personal injury and trucking accident cases in preparation for trial in state and federal courts.
What is your background? Prior to law school, I worked in private banking in New York City, managing regulatory compliance and investment matters for international nonprofit organizations. I currently serve as a Council Member on the board of the Texas State Bar Association’s Hispanic Issues Section. I am also a member of the George McAlmon Inn of Court, the El Paso Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. I am admitted to practice in Texas and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
168th District Court
Bernardo Cruz
Why are you running? I am running to be a judge because I believe a judge is, above all, a public servant—one who applies the law fairly, treats every person with dignity and respect, and ensures that the judicial process is impartial and accessible to all. I believe that integrity, diligence, honesty, and sound judgment are essential to fulfilling the responsibilities of the bench. These values were instilled in me by my parents, and they have guided both my life and my legal career. My decision to seek judicial office is informed by the breadth and depth of my legal experience in public service. I have dedicated my career to serving the public interest, first as a plaintiffs’ attorney at nonprofit law firms and now as an attorney for local government. I have represented individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds, including unionized farmworkers in rural Washington and undocumented migrants along the U.S.–Mexico border. These experiences reinforced for me the importance of judicial neutrality, careful decision-making, and equal treatment under the law.
While working at the American Civil Liberties Union, I represented communities across the state in matters involving constitutional rights. As an Assistant County Attorney, I now represent my local government in a wide range of legal matters affecting the public. My practice includes complex legal issues involving civil rights, public interest law, government law, and employment law.
This experience has prepared me to serve the people of this community as a fair, principled, and impartial judge who respects the rule of law and the role of the judiciary.
Tell us about yourself. I was born in El Paso and raised in its sister city, Ciudad Juárez. Like many in our community, I crossed the border every day—often waiting in line for hours—to attend school in El Paso. My parents made significant sacrifices to give me that opportunity, enrolling me in schools where I could receive a strong education and practice my faith, including St. Joseph’s School and Cathedral High School.
That daily journey taught me the value of hard work, the reality of sacrifice, and the deep sense of hospitality that defines our binational community. With my parents’ support, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college and to pursue a law degree. When I left El Paso to attend law school in Seattle, Washington, I came to fully appreciate what I had always known: El Paso is a unique place. It is a community where families move between two cultures, two cities, and sometimes two worlds, all while working hard to build a better future.
I am proud of my roots and believe that El Paso’s strength lies in its people—individuals from different places, speaking different languages, united by a shared commitment to building a better future for their families and their community.
What is your background? After graduating from Cathedral High School, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. I then worked as a banker in downtown El Paso for several years before deciding to pursue a career in law focused on public service. I earned my law degree from Seattle University School of Law, a Jesuit institution with a strong emphasis on public interest law, in 2016. While in law school, I interned at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica, an experience that reinforced my commitment to public service through the law.
After graduating from law school, I passed the Washington State Bar and joined a nonprofit plaintiffs’ law firm in Yakima, Washington. There, I represented farmworkers in complex trial and appellate litigation, including class actions and matters involving civil rights and employment law. In 2018, after passing the Texas Bar, I returned to El Paso to work as an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. In that role, I focused on the constitutional rights of immigrants and border communities, developing and litigating civil rights cases in both state and federal court. I also participated in public education efforts and provided legal support to community partners, advocates, and government officials.
I currently serve as the affirmative litigation attorney in the El Paso County Attorney’s Office. In this role, I work to identify legal issues affecting the community and to determine appropriate legal responses. My work has included matters involving public health and environmental protection, civil rights, and law enforcement practices. I also work as part of the civil litigation unit working to represent the County in employment matters, expunctions, and mental health hearings. I also had the pleasure of serving on the board of directors of the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center from 2023-2025. I am also a graduate of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce's Leadership El Paso, Class 46.