What to watch: Midland County voters will elect Justices of the Peace for all four precincts in the Republican primary on March 3. These local judges handle many of the everyday legal cases residents are most likely to encounter.

Why it matters: Justices of the Peace (JP) courts handle disputes involving housing, small claims, minor criminal cases, protective orders, and more. These courts often serve as residents’ first contact with the legal system and can resolve cases faster and at lower cost than higher courts. In Texas, JPs serve as entry-level trial court judges elected every four years. State law does not require JPs to hold law degrees, though some do.

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Go deeper: JP courts handle civil disputes up to $20,000 and Class C misdemeanors. Many residents only interact with JPs through tickets, small claims, or eviction cases. But JPs also sign search and arrest warrants, set bail, and handle early court proceedings after an arrest. They administer oaths, perform marriages, issue emergency protective orders, and handle some juvenile warnings and property disposition matters.

For the March 2026 primary:

  • Precinct 1: Incumbent Edelmira “Ede” Subia seeks re-election.
  • Precinct 2: Incumbent Yadi Billeck is running against Mary Rhonda Eggleston.
  • Precinct 3: Incumbent Susan Rayos seeks re-election.
  • Precinct 4: Incumbent John Wesley Barton seeks re-election.

No Democratic candidates have filed, making the Republican primary decisive for these races. To learn more about this election and its candidates, visit our election page. Early voting runs Feb. 17 through Feb. 28. Election Day is March 3.