Two New Candidates File For Justice of the Peace Races, Filing Deadline Nears
Two Val Verde County residents filed candidate applications on November 19, 2025 to appear on the March 3, 2026 primary ballots for local Justice of the Peace seats, underscoring an evolving field ahead of the December 8 filing deadline. These filings matter because Justice of the Peace offices handle common legal matters that affect many residents, and party primaries will shape who occupies those roles next year.
On November 19, 2025 two new candidate applications were filed in Val Verde County for Justice of the Peace positions that will appear on the March 3, 2026 primary ballots. Juan Roberto Martinez filed in the Democratic primary for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3. Martinez listed his occupation as sales manager and is reported to be employed at Del Rio Harbor Freight. Daniel Danny Musquiz filed in the Republican primary for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. Musquiz listed his occupations as teacher and mortician, noting that he is a GED teacher at Southwest Texas College and a co owner of Amistad Funeral Home.
County records indicate other candidates have already filed for the same Justice of the Peace precincts, and the local filing period remains open until December 8, 2025. The approaching deadline gives potential candidates a two week window to declare, and it sets a timetable for voters to begin assessing the choices they will see on the primary ballot.
Justice of the Peace courts in Texas preside over a range of routine but consequential matters including small claims, Class C misdemeanor cases, landlord tenant disputes in certain circumstances, and magistrate duties such as setting bonds and issuing warrants. Because these courts handle many everyday interactions with the justice system, the identities and priorities of officeholders have direct consequences for residents who rely on timely hearings and fair procedures.
The filings also matter in partisan terms. Precinct level J P contests often draw lower turnout than higher profile races, making primary elections decisive in determining who will serve. Candidates who bring backgrounds in education, small business, retail management, or funeral services may emphasize different approaches to court administration and community outreach, and voters in each precinct will weigh those qualifications as the primary approaches.
With the December 8 filing deadline nearing, voters who want to review candidates should consult the Val Verde County elections office for official candidate lists and filing status. Civic engagement in local judicial races shapes access to justice and the functioning of day to day legal processes across the county.
