Tarrant judicial election results: Challenger unseats incumbent Judge Gallagher in 396th
Former magistrate Vincent “Vince” Giardino upset incumbent Judge George Gallagher in the race to preside over the state’s 396th District Court, according to unofficial results Tuesday night.
Giardino secured 52.31% of the vote to Gallagher’s 47.69%. Gallagher had headed the court since 2000.
Giardino, who marketed himself as “the most conservative candidate in the race” with an endorsement from Attorney General Ken Paxton, had criticized Gallagher for supposedly granting too many (and too lenient) plea deals over the course of the campaign. Gallagher defended his track record, dismissing Giardino’s criticisms as unrealistic and unproductive expectations for a busy court.
Personal animus also clouded the race. Giardino claims Gallagher relieved him from his position as court magistrate after announcing his run to unseat him. Gallagher instead pointed to Giardino’s extensive vacationing and loose self-designation as a “judge” as rationales for his dismissal.
Facing no prospective Democratic challengers, Giardino will become judge-elect.
Criminal District Judge, Court 2 Republicans
William Knight trounced fellow county prosecutor Glynis McGinty in a two-horse race to replace Wayne Salvant as the judge of Criminal District Court No. 2 with 74.50% of the vote.
The two seasoned conservative attorneys work in different divisions of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office. McGinty, who finished with 25.50% of the vote, heads the DA election integrity unit’s prosecution team; Knight, who’s dedicated much of his career to arguing child abuse and domestic violence cases for the state, is a felony prosecutor.
Both candidates have pledged to clear the court’s congested case backlog and boasted their unforgiving prosecutorial records.
Knight will square off against Democratic challenger Marquetta ‘Marq’ Clayton, who faced no primary competition.
Family District Judge, 360th Judicial District Republicans
Judge Patricia Baca Bennett cruised to reelection as family judge of the 360th District Court with 79.59% of the vote, dominating leading challenger An Lee Hsu by almost 60 points.
Bennett was first elected to the bench in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Her tenure hasn’t lacked controversy. In Aug. 2021, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a formal warning against Bennett for wading into election battles while in office. In 2018, a judge sued Bennett for alleged workplace harassment and retaliation, claiming Bennett dismissed her for not checking the political activities of a family member; a federal judge later tossed the case.
Facing no prospective Democratic challengers, Bennett is now judge-elect.
