Community Impact Newspaper sent Trantham a list of questions about his candidacy. Below are his answers, which have been edited for style.
1. Why did you decide to run for this office?
In my seven years of working at the county clerk’s office, I interact with the district clerk’s office on a weekly basis—sometimes daily. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to see changes on a county level and statewide level that has had impacts on these offices. When it became known that the current district clerk was not going to seek another term, I made the decision to become a candidate.
I believe Denton County deserves a person that fully understands the courts, attorney’s business practices, and ensures that the public has confidence in their elected official to properly maintain, disburse and secure their state court records now and into the future. It is also imperative that we have someone who recognizes the current growth and technological changes that are currently becoming daily processes for all clerk’s offices around the state of Texas.
2. What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?
- Texas legislative Intern, 2003
- Seven years with the county clerk’s office
- Representative to Denton County Bail Bond Board
- Project manager for re:SearchTX
- Assistant supervisor for the Juvenile & Administration Department
- Extensive knowledge of Denton County’s case management software, State of Texas Criminal Justice Information System, Texas e-File and Texas Office of Court Administration
- Juvenile courts expansion project leader for county clerk
3. If elected, what would be your top priorities?
If elected, my top priorities will be jury services and re:SearchTX.
Jury services can be managed much more efficiently than it currently is. Many counties currently use other methods to notify potential jurors of their upcoming jury duty and/or notify the individual that their service will no longer be needed. I believe a program that would allow the efficiency of jury duty to improve will prevent wasted time for the individual in travel time, work loss, or time away from daily life. I would also like to promote a more positive juror experience since it is an important guaranteed right under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and in our Texas Constitution. I would also like to expand the list of potential local 501(c)(3) organizations that jurors can have the option of donating their compensation to should they choose.
Re:searchTX is an initiative by the State of Texas to create [a] statewide system for anyone across Texas and the United States to access court records for all 254 counties in the state of Texas. This program was met unfavorably by clerks because they felt that the state was overreaching its role and the role established of the clerks in the Texas Constitution. Since its implementation, I have been working as the project manager in the county clerk’s office to ensure that this new statewide system will be sufficient in providing our public records.
We are constantly working to ensure no documents containing sensitive data or information, sealed documents or records or any other confidential filings are made public while following the state guidelines. Re:SearchTX has worked closely with the clerks and the state to work as a team to complete both party’s goals. This will be a good program, but it is requiring work to continue to maintain public confidence of how our records are maintained.
4. What else do you want constituents to know about you and your background?
I am a lifelong Denton County resident who grew up having a passion for public service instilled in me at an early age. I enjoy volunteering with multiple veterans project[s] as well as teaching youth shooting and firearm safety. I am married to my wife, Stacy, and we are expecting the arrival of our first child in April, a beautiful baby girl named Emmaline. I also enjoy spending time with my wife, collecting and shooting firearms and working on my WWII-era U.S. Halftrack. I have a great passion for history and with that, a healthy appreciation for our history and want to see it flawlessly preserved in our records. I am a fiscal and social conservative, a member of the National Rifle Association, Texas State Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. I believe in the rule of law and to tirelessly defend the Texas and U.S. constitutions.
I am currently endorsed by the Denton County Law Enforcement Association, Little Elm Police Officer’s Association, the Denton County Conservative Coalition and former Denton County Judge Vic Burgess.
