County

Dallas County Judge

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county judge presides over the commissioners court, the county's governing body that sets the county budget and tax rate, and directs county emergency management.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mike Immler

Republican

Retired U.S. Air Force colonel; attorney

The gist

Proposes independent reviews of high-impact county spending.
Proposes publishing plain-language county budget and contract information.
Supports reliable sheriff, jail and court-support operations.
Supports better county coordination on homelessness and behavioral health.
Proposes clearer, more accessible county procurement for small businesses.

More about Mike

View sources (1)

Proposes independent reviews of high-impact county spending.
Priorities
Campaign website · Mike Immler Campaign · mikeimmler.com
“Seek lawful, independent reviews of high-impact spending”
Proposes publishing plain-language county budget and contract information.
Priorities
Campaign website · Mike Immler Campaign · mikeimmler.com
“Publish plain-language budget and contract information”
Supports reliable sheriff, jail and court-support operations.
Priorities
Campaign website · Mike Immler Campaign · mikeimmler.com
“Reliable Sheriff, jail, and court-support operations”
Supports better county coordination on homelessness and behavioral health.
Priorities
Campaign website · Mike Immler Campaign · mikeimmler.com
“Better coordination around homelessness and behavioral health”
Proposes clearer, more accessible county procurement for small businesses.
Priorities
Campaign website · Mike Immler Campaign · mikeimmler.com
“Make county procurement clearer and more accessible”

Clay Jenkins

DemocraticIncumbent

Dallas County Judge; attorney

The gist

Pledges to continue diversion programs and emergency management work.
Supports allowing mental health commitment of defendants instead of jail.
Supports continuing the county's employer-match child care program.
Supports county Health and Human Services disease-tracking programs.

More about Clay

View sources (1)

Pledges to continue diversion programs and emergency management work.
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins kicks off reelection for fifth term
News coverage · The Dallas Morning News · dallasnews.com
“said continuing these programs and supporting emergency management initiatives across the county will be a focus”
Supports allowing mental health commitment of defendants instead of jail.
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins kicks off reelection for fifth term
News coverage · The Dallas Morning News · dallasnews.com
“advocate for changes in state law to allow for the involuntary commitment of defendants to mental health programs instead of jail”
Supports continuing the county's employer-match child care program.
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins kicks off reelection for fifth term
News coverage · The Dallas Morning News · dallasnews.com
“He also pointed to successes he wants to continue, such as the county's child care benefits program.”
Supports county Health and Human Services disease-tracking programs.
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins kicks off reelection for fifth term
News coverage · The Dallas Morning News · dallasnews.com
“Jenkins said he has also prioritized the county's support of Health and Human Services programs”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.