Know your vote. Take a look at your sample ballot now!

Vince Handler

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Vince Handler
Republican Party
Candidate, Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Elections and appointments
Next election
March 3, 2026
Education
Bachelor's
Oklahoma City University, 2001
Law
Baylor Law School, 2013
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Air Force
Years of service
1989 - 2009
Personal
Religion
Non-Denominational
Profession
Attorney
Contact
Campaign website
Campaign Facebook
Campaign X

Vince Handler (Republican Party) is running for election for the Precinct 5 judge of the Denton County Justice of the Peace Courts in Texas. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.[source]

Handler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Vince Handler served in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 2009. He earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma City University in 2001 and a law degree from Baylor Law School in 2013. His career experience includes working as an attorney, certified fraud examiner, special agent, and investigative analyst. Handler has been affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: Municipal elections in Denton County, Texas (2026)

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5

Patrece Perry (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Patrece Perry

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = 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

Republican primary for Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5

Derek Gurley (R) and Vince Handler (R) are running in the Republican primary for Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Derek Gurley
Image of Vince Handler
Vince Handler  Candidate Connection

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = 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.

Endorsements

Handler received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Vince Handler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Handler's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

I love Texas and our conservative values. I have always been a Constitutional Conservative and have consistently supported strong Republican leadership.

My life has been defined by service—to country, community, and faith. I served 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, including roles as a law enforcement Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations and as an Emergency Management Director. These experiences instilled discipline, integrity, and a deep respect for justice.

After earning my law degree from Baylor University, I built a respected career as a litigator, handling thousands of cases in Justice of the Peace courts across Texas. I’ve seen firsthand how these courts impact everyday Texans and am committed to ensuring they remain accessible, fair, and efficient.

I volunteer as a Teen Court Judge and mentor, serve as a Precinct Chair and Election Judge, and actively support veterans through the VFW and Denton County Republican Veterans Club. My wife and I worship and serve at Fellowship Church, where our faith guides every aspect of our lives.

Together with our four children and ten grandchildren, we remain dedicated to faith, family, and service to others.
  • Fair & Impartial — I will listen to every party attentively, consider all evidence without prejudice, and apply the law without favoritism. I will treat every person in the courtroom with courtesy and respect. My decisions will be grounded in the facts and the law, not personal opinions or political pressures.
  • Uphold the Law — An impartial and independent judiciary is central to a republican form of government. A judge is prohibited from exercising any power given to the legislature. I will consistently apply the law to the unique facts of each case to ensure an appropriate decision.
  • Increase Efficiency — Parties deserve a timely resolution to their court case. I will lead my team to dramatically improve the court’s procedures and operations so that every case moves swiftly toward resolution, saving time and reducing the burden and cost of litigation.
Judicial integrity, civic education, veterans’ affairs, and local government efficiency. I’m especially passionate about helping young people understand civics, the justice system, and the real-life consequences of their choices.
Ronald Reagan—for his optimism, conviction, and belief that leadership is best exercised through service, faith, and freedom. His ability to communicate with gentleness, humor, and precision was outstanding. There are a lot more people that I look up to for various reasons.
Integrity is the cornerstone of public trust—non-negotiable and unbreakable. Without it, no law, policy, or promise carries weight; every action becomes suspect, and the bond between elected leaders and the people frays irreparably. The citizens of Denton County deserve absolute confidence that their officials operate with unflinching honesty, impartial fairness, and rigorous accountability in every decision, from the courtroom to the ballot box.

Yet integrity alone, while foundational, must be paired with other bedrock principles to truly serve Texas. Courage ranks paramount: the resolve to uphold the Constitution and conservative values even when unpopular or politically costly—defending life, liberty, Second Amendment rights, and fiscal discipline against fleeting trends or special interests. Service above self defines the heart of leadership; as a 20-year Air Force veteran and litigator handling thousands of JP court cases, I’ve lived this ethos, prioritizing community needs over personal gain.

Wisdom, forged through real-world experience, ensures sound judgment—whether mentoring youth in Teen Court, safeguarding elections as a Precinct Chair, or supporting veterans via the VFW. Faith-guided humility keeps ego in check, reminding us that true authority flows from serving a higher purpose and the people, not power itself. Finally, accessibility demands officials remain approachable, listening to everyday Texans to keep justice efficient and courts fair.

These principles—integrity, courage, service, wisdom, humility, and accessibility—aren’t slogans; they’re the proven framework for Republican leadership that honors our faith, families, and freedoms. Denton County thrives when we elect those who embody them fully.
Every Texan deserves equal access to justice. The Justice of the Peace must ensure the court is fair, impartial, and understandable for everyone who walks through its doors. This means listening carefully to all parties, applying the law consistently, and treating every individual with dignity and respect. My core responsibility is to deliver justice efficiently, transparently, and without favoritism, so the people can trust their court works for them—not against them. Efficiently resolving cases promptly, reducing unnecessary burdens, and maintaining public confidence in the court system are an integral part of these responsibilities.
As related to being a judge, I want the Justice of the Peace to be known as a court that is fair, efficient, and respected—a place where every person feels heard, justice is applied consistently, and the community is genuinely better served. I aim to implement innovative programs and procedures that set a standard for other Justice of the Peace courts across Texas.

I want to elevate public understanding of the role of the Justice of the Peace and its impact on everyday Texans, because too many people don’t realize how much these courts impact those that live in our community. I also envision a stable, experienced staff and court operations that are highly efficient, with backlogs eliminated and processes streamlined.

Finally, I want to engage the next generation by involving high school students through internships and educational programs, helping them understand civics and the justice system in a meaningful, practical way. My goal is a lasting, positive impact on both the court and the community it serves.
I was nine years old and I recall 444 American flags and the American hostages coming home from Iran on the day Ronal Reagan was inaugurated as President.
I worked at a department store making sure the shelves were presentable and fully-stocked, I was hired on my 16th birthday and worked at the store for about a year.
“The Four Laws of Love: Guaranteed Success for Every Married Couple” by Jimmy Evans—one of the best books on helping couples achieve a fantastic marriage!
Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird—a man of conviction who upholds justice with compassion and courage.
Balancing a deep desire to serve with time for family. I’ve learned that true leadership starts with being fully present at home and in the community. My guiding principle is God first, then spouse, then family—putting these in the proper order strengthens every other responsibility, including serving and leading in the community.
Justice of the Peace courts are the first level trial courts in Texas and handle the highest volume of cases. Additionally, JP Courts have limited jurisdiction, meaning they only hear certain types of court cases:

Civil lawsuits up to $20,000 in value
Breach-of-contract
Credit card debt
Vehicle accidents
Contractor disputes
Misdemeanor criminal cases not punishable by jail time
Traffic tickets
Juvenile crimes
Public nuisance, sexting, hot checks
Parental contribution to school nonattendance
Landlord-tenant disputes
Evictions
Repair and Remedy
Administrative Proceedings
Truancy
DPS Driver license and gun license suspension hearings
Vehicle tow hearings
Dangerous Dogs and Cruelly Treated Animals
Magistrate Duties

Probable Cause Determinations/Arrest Warrants
An impartial and independent judiciary is central to our republican form of government. Judges are prohibited from exercising power given to the legislature. I will consistently apply the law –as written – to the unique facts of each case to ensure a just decision.
A good judge is consistent, predictable, and has fealty to the law. This creates an environment that makes it easier to predict the results of a lawsuit which incentivizes the parties to work through differences outside of court, thus reducing the burden on our court system and strengthening our community by encouraging collaborative solutions and reducing unnecessary litigation. In turn, this attracts residents and businesses and boosts our economy.
I closely follow the Textualism and Conservative Constitutionalism embodied by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and more recently Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas—for their steadfast adherence to constitutional principles despite immense pressure.
Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings so deeply that you can almost feel them yourself. For a judge, this quality is essential—it allows an understanding of the human context behind each case and the circumstances in which evidence is presented. However, empathy must never replace impartiality. The law must always guide judgment. A good judge listens with compassion but decides with discipline—balancing understanding with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
I have not formally sought Bar Association rating.
I have been a servant leader my entire adult life — serving our nation with 20 years of active-duty Air Force service, consistently serving the Lord through my church, serving the Republican Party as a Precinct Chair, and serving my community through volunteer work, including as a Teen Court judge.

In late 2023, the current Denton County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5 contacted me to share that he would not be seeking reelection and encouraged me to consider running for the position. My wife and I prayed, reflected, and sought counsel about this opportunity. Since then, more than a dozen local judges have also encouraged me to pursue this office. As I shared the possibility with friends, family, and colleagues, I began to sense that God was placing a calling on my heart — a calling to continue serving my community in a role that unites the many skills and experiences He has blessed me with throughout my life and career.
Yes, I believe prior experience in both the legal field and public service is extremely beneficial for anyone seeking to serve as a judge. A Justice of the Peace handles matters that touch people’s lives directly—property rights, contracts, evictions, truancy, and small claims—so it’s essential to understand both the law and the systems of government that support its fair administration.

Previous legal experience provides the foundation for sound decision-making and respect for due process. Likewise, experience serving within the Republican Party or other civic capacities demonstrates a person’s engagement with the principles of limited government, accountability, and the balance of power—all crucial traits for judicial service.

Voters deserve judges who not only understand the law but also have a track record of commitment to their community and its values. Someone who has never served, never participated, and never engaged with the responsibilities of governance may lack the perspective and grounding that this office requires.
As an attorney who regularly practices in Justice of the Peace courts, I’ve witnessed firsthand several serious challenges that must be addressed through collaboration and accountability. Among them are thousands of outstanding warrants that remain unexecuted—leaving significant fines and fees unpaid—and the concerning problem of untrustworthy process servers whose misconduct jeopardizes due process for countless citizens. Tackling these issues will require coordinated leadership among the Commissioners Court, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and all six Constables and Justices of the Peace to restore integrity, efficiency, and public confidence in our local justice system.
The greatest opportunity for Texas’s legal system—especially in Justice of the Peace courts—lies in strategic modernization through technology that dramatically boosts efficiency, accessibility, and transparency while preserving the essential human touch that defines Texas justice.

By maximizing secure e-filing portals, virtual hearing options for routine matters, and real-time case-status dashboards, we can slash wait times, reduce paperwork burdens on working families, and allow small businesses to resolve disputes without losing a day’s wages. In my thousands of JP cases statewide, I’ve seen firsthand how outdated processes frustrate citizens and clog dockets—technology fixes this without sacrificing due process.

Yet efficiency must never eclipse engagement. As a veteran litigator and Teen Court mentor, I’ll lead by example, hosting regular “Know Your Court” workshops—educating citizens on truancy, small claims, and eviction procedures in neutral, general terms that empower without ever compromising impartiality on specific cases.

This balanced approach—leveraging tools like AI-assisted scheduling and digitized records while keeping courtrooms welcoming—will cut costs, speed resolutions, and rebuild public trust. With Air Force-honed discipline and conservative commitment to serving people over systems, I’ll ensure Denton County’s JP courts become a national model: high-tech, high-touch, and wholly Texan.
My full focus is on serving the people of Denton County as Justice of the Peace. My calling is to serve where I can make the most local impact. My personal interest is aligned with serving as a Justice of the Peace.
Not necessarily. They can provide useful input but are often influenced by perception rather than direct experience.
I have received dozens of endorsements from Texas State Representatives, local mayors and council members, precinct chairs, and former elected officials. Many more endorsements are expected shortly.
Last year I was representing an apartment complex in eviction court. The defendant/tenant was a young single mom. She was holding a folder with tears in her eyes. She had lost her job when her car broke down, missed one payment, and now faced losing the very first apartment she had gotten without her parent’s help.

I took the time before the court hearing and listened—really listened—to the single mom. Turns out, she was only a few days from catching-up because a local church had pledged help. I couldn’t ethically stop the trial that day. But as soon as it was over, I worked diligently to help her. I connected the single-mom with a local aid group who secured a partial repair voucher for her car, and recommended the landlord delay execution of the eviction. The church paid the back-rent and the landlord let her stay in the apartment.

That moment reminded me why I’m running: because justice doesn’t have to be limited to rulings on paper.
I enjoyed serving for 20 years in the United States Air Force. Some of the missions were very challenging, but through training and perseverance, it was an overall great experience.

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.


See also

2026 Elections

Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
What's on the ballot?
U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress special elections
State executives
State legislatures
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards
Election analysis hub

Government

Seal of Texas.png
Who represents me?
U.S. Congress
State executives
State legislators
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel
Union Station


External links

Candidate

Denton County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 16, 2025.

    Texas courts

    Federal courts:

    Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas

    State courts:

    Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts

    State resources:

    Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas

    Flag of Texas
    v • e
    State of Texas
    Austin (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy


    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Vince_Handler&oldid=11021916"