The justice of the peace seat for northern Denton County has no incumbent in the race, something that has not happened since 2015. Judge Mike Oglesby chose not to seek reelection to the Precinct 5 bench, leaving a Republican lawyer and a Democrat without legal training to compete for it on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Precinct 5 covers the northern half of the county, including Aubrey, Pilot Point, Krugerville, Providence Village, Cross Roads, Sanger, Krum, Celina, Prosper, Oak Point and northern Little Elm, plus portions of Denton north of Jim Christal Road and U.S. 380 west of Interstate 35, the Denton Record-Chronicle said in its Friday rundown of all six justice court contests.
Republican Vince Handler
Handler is a Frisco-based lawyer who has spent about 13 years handling debt and family law cases, including in Denton County courts, the Record-Chronicle reported. By his count he has taken part in more than 20,000 small claims matters and more than a thousand trials. He is also a volunteer judge and mentor in Teen Court.
In a Ballotpedia survey, Handler wrote that a background in law and public service is essential to "sound decision-making and respect for due process," and he has pledged to run a court that is affordable, understandable and impartial. U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill and Sheriff Tracy Murphree have endorsed him. He won the Republican nomination in March over Derek Gurley.
Democrat Patrece Perry
Perry, who lives in Prosper, analyzes consumer affairs for a health insurer and had no opponent in the Democratic primary. She has no legal background. Her campaign website says her experience as a working single parent shaped her view that justice courts "must be fair, compassionate, and accessible," and that residents should have an ordinary citizen on the bench who understands them.
The Texas Progressive Caucus and the Young Democrats of Denton County have endorsed her.
