Republican candidates for Tarrant County Judge in 396th District Court in March 5 primary

STORY: Candidates respond to opponent claims

Vince Giardino

Age (as of March, 5 2024) 43

Campaign website vincefor396.com

Best way for voters to reach you vince@vincefor396.com

Occupation Attorney

Education: Political Science degree from UTA, JD from Wesleyan School of Law (now A&M School of Law)

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): Precinct chair (Giardino was Republican Party Precinct Chair and Young Republicans Vice President in the ‘90s and 2000s.)

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism

In the 90’s/early 00’s I was a Republican Party Precinct Chair and Young Republicans Vice President. Since then I have worked on numerous campaigns for conservative candidates over the years.

Other than politics, I have taught Texas and Federal Government as a second job at Tarrant County College since 2010. During that time I wrote a joint Texas Government textbook and then collaborated with other professors on a published textbook. I wrote a book for the 100th anniversary of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office in 2019 at the request of then CDA Sharen Wilson. I have donated time on several Habitat for Humanity builds, various school and coat supply drives, and I have been a judge at the Arlington 4th of July Parade since the 90’s, I have been head judge for several years now as well.

Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: Ticketed for a class C MIP back in 2001, later dismissed.

Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

I have put in the bulk of the money, then members of my family.

Why are you seeking this office?

I do not agree with the behavior, policies, and practices of this court and judge. I think voters want a change and a judge that is willing to hold repeat offenders accountable for their actions, and a place where victims of crime may be heard.

What are the biggest challenges facing the 396th District Court?

Changing the culture. I will end the practice of using open pleas to circumvent trials or put insert my will into the plea negotiations.

If elected, what would your top 3 priorities be?

Changing the culture in this court, reforming bail policy, and trying more cases.

How will you measure your success as the judge for the 396th District Court?

I will quietly run a fair and open courtroom where both parties can be heard and shortcuts are not taken. I don’t know of a way to quantify that other than the impact on the community in ensuring a fair venue for people to defend themselves and for victims to seek justice.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

I bring integrity and conservative values. My opponent uses his authority to attack others and takes too active a role in plea negotiations. He does not share the values of the party he represents, including accountability. There must be consequences for repeat criminal behavior and victims of crime have a right to be heard as well.

How would you define the role of the judge in the 396th District Court?

To quietly administer the law and ensure no one uses shortcuts to circumvent the will of the voters and citizens who own the court.

What else should voters know about you?

I am a conservative and passionate about those values. There must be accountability and consequences for repeat behavior, and victims of crime must also be allowed their rights in their courtrooms. I also strongly believe that in order to enforce the law, officers and courts must follow the law. Finally, none of this is about my personality overwhelming the process as ego has no place on the bench.

George William Gallagher

Age (as of March, 5 2024) 66

Campaign website www.judgegallagher.com

Best way for voters to reach you gwgalla@yahoo.com

Occupation State District Judge

Education Graduated Texas A&M University, 1979. Graduated St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1982

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years)

Presiding Judge, 396th District Court, January 1, 2000 – present

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism

Longtime Member St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Member of Tarrant County Bar Foundation. Member State Bar of Texas Bar Foundation

Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No

Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:

Yes. As a district judge I have been sued in my official capacity. All of the suits were dismissed.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Jill Davis. Mark Daniel. Jerry Wood

Why are you seeking this office?

I have served with distinction as the presiding judge of this court for 25 years. I have consistently been rated the highest criminal district judge by the Tarrant County Bar Association. I am endorsed by the police associations. My court has always maintained one of the courts with the least number of pending cases.

What are the biggest challenges facing the 396th District Court?

As the county’s population continues to increase it will cause additional criminal cases to be filed. We need to use our resources in a manner that ensures cases are tried swiftly but to also ensure justice for all the parties.

If elected, what would your top 3 priorities be?

Continue to work daily and efficiently. Work in such a manner that the State and the defense receive equal and fair treatment. Make wise use of all resources to maintain a small backlog.

How will you measure your success as the judge for the 396th District Court?

In 24 years as a judge I have disposed of over 47,000 felony criminal cases. I have presided over 300 felony trials. I want to continue this record of service to the residents of Tarrant County.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

I have 42 years as a lawyer. I’ve been Board Certified in Criminal Law for 37 years. My opponent has been licensed as an attorney since 2010. He has not tried a case since 2016. In the last two years as a criminal magistrate he took 748 vacation hours which caused the county to spend $169,000 for part time magistrates to do his job. He has never tried a serious felony case. He lacks the experience and the work ethic to do this job.

How would you define the role of the judge in the 396th District Court?

A judge in a felony court needs to know the law, apply that law in an impartial manner, and to be available to the lawyers and law enforcement.

What else should voters know about you?

I’m an honest, hard working person. I’ve been married to my wife for 38 years. We have two sons and three beautiful grandchildren. It has been my honor and a privilege to have served the citizens of Tarrant County for the past 25 years. It is my request that they vote for me to allow me to continue doing so.