Q&A: Meet the Democratic runoff candidates for Harris County district clerk

Why are you running for this position?

At a time when the rule of law is under threat, I'm running to ensure the District Clerk's Office protects each person's constitutional right to seek justice. As an educator, I want a District Clerk's Office that serves every constituent with exceptional customer service, transparency, and accessibility.

What do you feel are the major challenges facing the office currently?

The District Clerk's office faces an increase in judicial filings, aging technology, staffing retention challenges, alongside a low budget. These pressures strain the quality and efficiency of the services offered to the constituents of Harris County.

How will you address these challenges?

Prioritizing investments in technology that increase efficiency in data entry and workflows, and ensuring tools are practical and effective. Equally important is training clerks to provide excellent customer service and to assist individuals navigating the judicial system within the boundaries of the law.

How will you work to make the office more user-friendly to those who need it?

Create a simple, easy-to-read public dashboard that provides residents with key information about our services: securely accessing records, tracking case status in real time, providing outstanding balances, and showing the average processing time. This will help working-class families by preventing a trip to the downtown courthouse, accessibility at your fingertips.

Why are you running for this position?

I’m running to modernize the District Clerk’s Office using proven leadership, legal experience, and public service. I have worked within this system for decades and understand how efficiency, transparency, and technology improvements can better serve the public and support the courts.

What do you feel are the major challenges facing the office currently?

The office faces outdated technology, system downtime, workflow inefficiencies, and limited public access tools. These challenges slow court operations, burden staff, and frustrate residents who rely on timely filings, records access, jury coordination, and accurate information.

How will you address these challenges?

I will prioritize infrastructure upgrades, modern case-management tools, cybersecurity protection, and clear accountability. By aligning technology with staff training and data-driven management, the office can reduce delays, improve reliability, and better support courts, attorneys, jurors, and the public.

How will you work to make the office more user-friendly?

I will expand online services, simplify filings, improve public guidance, and introduce tools that help users avoid errors. Enhancing communication, accessibility, and transparency will make interacting with the District Clerk’s Office easier, faster, and more intuitive for everyone.