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Two candidates are running for the Denton County Judge seat in the Nov. 3 election.
What you need to know
Republican incumbent Andy Eads will face Democratic challenger Nick Pappas.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or shortened to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Why are you running for Denton County Judge?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What are the biggest challenges facing the county?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How do you plan to address those challenges?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Retired U.S. Marine and small business owner
Why are you running for Denton County Judge?
I spent 17 years in the Marines and I've read every commissioners court packet this county has produced for the last eight months. What I found is a county that can afford anything except the people who live here. Somebody in that room has to say the number out loud.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Three free meals a day for every child in Denton County. A county health campus. A foster care support system this county actually funds. And a reentry program so people leaving jail have somewhere to land besides back in it. Homestead exemption at 20%, not the current 1%.
What are the biggest challenges facing the county?
Growth is outpacing the county's honesty about what it costs. Property tax bills climb while homeowners get the smallest exemption Texas law allows. 43,000 kids here are food insecure. 6,000 voters went to the wrong polling place last November. Nobody's tracking any of it.
How do you plan to address those challenges?
Every one of these is a commissioners court vote. No lawsuit, no legislature. Exemption increases each June until we hit 20%. Apply to be a federal summer meals sponsor. Sign the countywide voting letter my first week. Then earn three votes for the rest.
