Margaret O'Brien (Texas)
Margaret O'Brien (Democratic Party) is a judge for Precinct 2-1 of the Dallas County Justice of the Peace in Texas. She assumed office in 2018. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026.
O'Brien (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for the Precinct 2-1 judge of the Dallas County Justice of the Peace in Texas. She was on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2026)
General election
The primary occurred on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Vickie Whiteside (R) is running in the general election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Vickie Whiteside (R) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Incumbent Margaret O'Brien (D) and Christina Sowells (D) ran in the Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Margaret O'Brien | ||
| Christina Sowells | ||
| ||||
| = 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
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Republican primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Vickie Whiteside (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Vickie Whiteside | |
| ||||
| = 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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Endorsements
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2022
See also: Municipal elections in Dallas County, Texas (2022)
General election
General election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Incumbent Margaret O'Brien defeated Stephen Stanley in the general election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Margaret O'Brien (D) | 54.3 | 64,420 | |
 | Stephen Stanley (R) | 45.7 | 54,311 | |
| Total votes: 118,731 | |||
| = 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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Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Incumbent Margaret O'Brien defeated Atalia Williams in the Democratic primary runoff for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Margaret O'Brien | 50.6 | 3,849 | |
| Atalia Williams | 49.4 | 3,756 | ||
| Total votes: 7,605 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Incumbent Margaret O'Brien and Atalia Williams advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christina Sowells and Henry Brown in the Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Margaret O'Brien | 31.9 | 5,689 | |
| ✔ | Atalia Williams | 28.2 | 5,035 | |
| Christina Sowells | 22.5 | 4,013 | ||
| Henry Brown | 17.4 | 3,108 | ||
| Total votes: 17,845 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Stephen Stanley defeated Billy Gallion in the Republican primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stephen Stanley | 68.0 | 11,048 |
| Billy Gallion | 32.0 | 5,202 | ||
| Total votes: 16,250 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Margaret O'Brien defeated Ashley Hutcheson in the general election for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Margaret O'Brien (D) | 55.4 | 79,186 | |
| Ashley Hutcheson (R) | 44.6 | 63,709 | ||
| Total votes: 142,895 | |||
| = 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
- Brian Hutcheson (R)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Margaret O'Brien defeated Anthony Eiland in the Democratic primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Margaret O'Brien | 61.5 | 10,081 | |
| Anthony Eiland | 38.5 | 6,298 | ||
| Total votes: 16,379 | |||
| = 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 Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1
Incumbent Brian Hutcheson advanced from the Republican primary for Dallas County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Place 1 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Brian Hutcheson | 100.0 | 15,235 | |
| Total votes: 15,235 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Selection method
The members of the Texas Justice of the Peace Courts are elected in partisan elections and serve four-year terms. They are elected in a precinct-wide election.[1]
To serve as a justice of the peace, justices must complete a 40-hour course on relevant duties within one year of his or her election. They must also complete a similar 20-hour course each year they continue to serve.[2]
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Margaret O'Brien has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Margaret O'Brien asking her to fill out the survey. If you are Margaret O'Brien, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
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You can ask Margaret O'Brien to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing freestylemo@gmail.com.
Campaign website
O'Brien's campaign website stated the following:
Fairness & Integrity
Judge O'Brien upholds the law and fairness by ensuring everyone is given their chance in the courtroom.
Providing Rights and Resources
Judge O'Brien provides resources to legal assistance, representation, and financial assurances for renters.
Prioritizing Community Safety
Judge O'Brien is committed to family and community safety by issuing mental health warrants.
A Model Court For Excellence
Judge O'Brien was recognized as a model court by the Texas Justice Court Training Center, and serves as a trainer.
— Margaret O'Brien's campaign website (February 19, 2026)
2022
Margaret O'Brien did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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
