Tom Brummett

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Tom Brummett

Republican Party

Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Drue A. Farmer

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Texas Tech University, 1996

Law

Indiana University School of Law, 2002

Personal

Birthplace

Lubbock, Texas

Religion

Protestant

Profession

Assistant District Attorney with the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney's Office

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Tom Brummett (Republican Party) is a judge of the Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2 in Texas. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Brummett (Republican Party) won election for judge of the Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2 in Texas outright after the general election on November 8, 2022, was canceled.

Brummett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Tom Brummett was born in Lubbock, Texas. He earned an undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in August 1996 and a law degree from the Indiana University School of Law in May 2002. His professional experience includes working as an assistant district attorney with the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney's Office. Brummett is affiliated with the Texas State Bar, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, the Lubbock County Bar Association, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the Federalist Society, and the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He was previously affiliated with the Federal Communications Bar Association from 1999 to 2003.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Lubbock County, Texas (2022)

General election

The general election was canceled. Tom Brummett won election in the general election for Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2.

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2

Tom Brummett defeated Bob Nebb in the Republican primary runoff for Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Brummett	59.3	8,749
		Bob Nebb	40.7	5,993

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,742
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2

Tom Brummett and Bob Nebb advanced to a runoff. They defeated Chris Wanner in the Republican primary for Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2 on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Brummett	42.8	10,203
✔		Bob Nebb	41.0	9,781
	Submit photo	Chris Wanner	16.2	3,861

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,845
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Benjamin Garcia (R)

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Lubbock County, Texas (2020)

General election

General election for Texas 140th District Court

Incumbent Douglas Freitag won election in the general election for Texas 140th District Court on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Freitag (R)	100.0	90,837

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 90,837
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Texas 140th District Court

Incumbent Douglas Freitag defeated Tom Brummett in the Republican primary runoff for Texas 140th District Court on July 14, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Freitag	60.2	7,541
		Tom Brummett	39.8	4,982

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,523 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas 140th District Court

Incumbent Douglas Freitag and Tom Brummett advanced to a runoff. They defeated Robert Sullivan and Ryan Gentry in the Republican primary for Texas 140th District Court on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Freitag	45.0	11,990
✔		Tom Brummett	25.8	6,880
	Submit photo	Robert Sullivan	18.3	4,881
	Submit photo	Ryan Gentry	10.8	2,884

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,635
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Tom Brummett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brummett's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Lubbock native, fifth-generation Texan and third-generation Red Raider with deep family roots in the practice of law. After graduating from Texas Tech, I studied law at Indiana University where I met my wife, Christiana. My love for the people of West Texas and desire to raise my family here brought us back to Lubbock, where for the past 19 years I have served as an assistant district attorney. Throughout that time, I have developed a reputation as tough, but fair litigator with a demonstrated ability to weigh what’s best for all involved and see that justice is served.

When people need help, I help them to receive it, but when dealing with defendants who pose a danger to the public, I see those people are taken off the streets. I am the only candidate in the race that has earned the endorsement of the Lubbock Professional Police Association.

Currently, our courts are facing serious pressures and struggling with massive backlogs. To get back where the courts need to be, real-world, practical experience is required. As your judge in County Court at Law #2, I understand what is necessary to ensure the courts are operating as needed. I will uphold and defend the Constitution and promptly establish just and fair solutions through my rulings. My extensive experience and familiarity with the courts ensures I will be prepared on day one to begin handling the docket before me.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Experience - I started my career in County Court at Law #2 and have more experience in the types of cases most frequently heard by the court than my opponent. Through 19 years and 120+ jury trials, I have developed the knowledge needed to address the issue of rising crime in Lubbock.
• Community - I am from here and my family has served this area for generations. I share our West Texas beliefs and understand what our community expects from our judicial system.
• Values - As a Christian, real constitutional conservative, and father, I understand the appropriate role between society, the individual, and government and will strive to ensure justice is always done in my courtroom with our rights and freedoms strictly enforced and protected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a firm believer in what have come to be known as specialty courts. These alternative approaches, often targeted to those with substance abuse or mental needs (i.e., DWI Court, Drug Court, and Veterans' Court) provide offenders the best chance at recovering from criminal activity while at the same time, providing enhanced protection for the public.

I was part of the original team who developed and brought the DWI Court to Lubbock, and I am one of two founding members who still serve on the court team today, having changed the lives of the more than 220 participants who have been through the program so far.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I would like to follow President Ronald Reagan's example. He was a staunch conservative but engaged his opponents with optimism and exuberance about what our country could become. He always seemed to focus on the good in people and encouraged them to be their best but did not shirk from calling out evil when he saw it and holding those who practiced it accountable.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An unwavering adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law.

A spirit of service to those the office represents.
A constant realization that the government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

A very thick skin and moral compass to do the right thing for the right reasons, regardless of what praise or scorn will result.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I understand what the appropriate relationship between government and the people should be and have sought my entire adult life to develop and refine that understanding.

My extensive experience in handling cases in County Court at Law No. Two gives me the understanding necessary to accurately weigh the needs of all parties appearing before the court and to formulate approaches and rulings to ensure justice is served.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I blame my ten-year-old daughter for this, but "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

An actual Constitutional Conservative, not simply a label to adopt when politically advantageous. A life-long student of political thought, I believe it is not enough to only be able to state conservative principles - we must be able to explain why we hold those principles dear, how they were developed historically, and how they apply to the issues facing us today.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He was a brilliant jurist and unapologetic defender of the Constitution. He understood not just its meaning, but what went into its construction. He made no apologies for his beliefs and was happy to discuss his philosophy with anyone.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes, empathy is important, but it must work together with impartiality, fairness, a strict ethical standard and the absolute refusal to stray beyond a judge's appropriate role.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Tom Brummett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brummett's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Lubbock, received my undergrad degree from Texas Tech and my law degree from Indiana University. For the past 17 years I have served Lubbock as an assistant district attorney. Throughout that time, I have developed a reputation as tough, but fair, handling all types of criminal cases, but developing a specialty in those with some of the most innocent victims.

Realizing I have advanced as far as I can go and served as many Lubbockites as I can in my current position, I am asking for the honor and trust to expand that opportunity and serve as your judge in the 140th District Court. In return, you should expect:

• Prompt rulings, trials, and resolutions to matters pending in the court

• Diligence in addressing case backlog, and an understanding that "Justice delayed is justice denied"

• Fiscal responsibility, and a refusal to spend more taxpayer money than necessary

• Decorum and respect to all appearing before the court

• Fairness and impartiality to all appearing in court

• Decisions based on the law, regardless of personal feelings or relationships; a refusal to legislate from bench

• A judge who presides with integrity, experience, and ethics, employing a demonstrated knowledge of the law, and a long history of seeing that justice is done

• Appropriate sentences to ensure the safety of community, including tough justice for dangerous, violent criminals when needed

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Experience - I practice in every criminal courtroom in the courthouse and through 17 years and 120+ jury trials have developed the knowledge needed to address the issue of rising crime in Lubbock.
• Community - As a 5th-generation Texan, Lubbock native, and 3rd-generation Red Raider with deep family roots in the practice of law, I share West Texas beliefs and understand what our comunity expects from our judicial system.
• Values - A Christian, conservative and father, I understand the appropriate role between society, the individual and government and will strive to ensure justice is always done in my courtroom with our rights and freedoms strictly enforced and protected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a firm believer in what have come to be known as specialty courts. These alternative approaches, often targeted to those with substance abuse or mental needs (i.e. DWI Court, Drug Court, and Veterans' Court) provide offenders the best chance at recovering from criminal activity while at the same time, providing enhanced protection for the public.

I was part of the original team who developed and brought the DWI Court to Lubbock, and I am one of two founding members who still serve on the court team today, having changed the lives of the more than 200 participants who have been through the program so far.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I would like to follow President Ronald Reagan's example. He was a staunch conservative, but attacked his opponents with optimism and exuberance about what our country could become. He always seemed to focus on the good in people and encouraged them to be their best, but did not shirk from calling out evil when he saw it.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil (commonly referred to as Leviathan), by Thomas Hobbes.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An unwavering adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law.

A spirit of service to those the office represents.
A constant realization that the government exists to serve the people, not the other way around.

A very thick skin and moral compass to do the right thing for the right reasons, regardless of what praise or scorn will result.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I undertand what the appropriate relationship between government and the people should be and have sought my entire adult life to develop and refine that understanding.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil (commonly referred to as Leviathan) by Thomas Hobbes.
This is one of the foundation works for modern conservative political thought.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

Constitutional Conservative. A life-long student of political thought, I believe it is not enough to simply be able to state conservative principles, but we must be able to explain why we hold those principles dear and how they were developed historically.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He was a staunch defender of the Constitution and understood not just its meaning, but what went into its construction. He made no apologies for his beliefs, and was happy to discuss his philosophy with anyone.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes, empathy is important, but it must work together with impartiality, fairness, a strict ethical standard and the absolute refusal to stray beyond a judge's appropriate role.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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