Traci Baxa
What are your three priorities?
My three priorities have always been the same throughout this campaign. Those are efficiency, integrity and transparency.
One reason I decided to run was to improve the efficiency of removing squatters. When homeowners and tenants are forced to use the court system to reclaim possession of their property, it creates unnecessary frustration, cost and hardship. These situations deserve an efficient and consistent process that respects property rights and follows the law.
Efficiency means enforcing laws in a timely manner. Integrity means ensuring those laws are applied properly. Transparency means making sure the process is clear and that the actions taken through the courts are consistent with the law and the facts of each individual case.
When we combine these three principles, we can begin to reclaim our communities by restoring accountability and protecting the rights of those who live and work here.
I believe voters want to live their lives without consistently worrying about whether their property rights are protected or whether their community is being properly cared for. They want to know that the laws are being followed, that the court system is working as it should, and that their elected officials are doing their jobs with honesty and accountability.
What are some of the recent accomplishments and improvements in the JP system in Lubbock? And what still needs to be improved? What’s your plan for doing that?
Some recent improvements in the JP courts are the beginning of implementing digital resources for the courthouse and constituents. Another recent improvement is SB1333 which expedites the removal of squatters through the JP courts and constables. I would love to see this implemented to its fullest extent and remain within its boundaries. When we can efficiently remove squatters, we will see our neighborhoods grow stronger.
What is the status of evictions in Lubbock County? Have the rules become more complicated and if so, how does affect landlords and tenants? What will be the impact of hiring deputy constables?
Evictions appear to be very high. Recent changes to eviction laws aim to simplify the process, but we should expect an adjustment phase with some confusion as landlords, tenants, and courts adjust to the new requirements.
Moving forward, education, consistency and proper enforcement will be important to ensure the law is applied appropriately and efficiently.
When hiring a deputy, the impact of doing this is a cost to the taxpayers but also needs to be compared with the workload each constable is responsible for. Should a deputy be hired, it would increase the efficiency of the constable’s office as this would spread out the responsibility of serving notices, executing writs of possession and securing the courtroom.
There has been talk of moving the JP courts to their precincts instead of the courthouse. What’s best for the public – moving them or leaving them? And why?
I believe forcing Lubbock County’s Justice of the Peace courts to be located within their individual precincts would be unnecessary at this time. Although JP3 is already located within its precinct, Lubbock County has an exemption, in the state law related this, that allows our JP courts to remain together.
The current arrangement allows our four JP courts to share the costs of security and other resources which keeps taxpayer costs down compared to the alternative.
Unless Lubbock experiences traffic congestion that is comparable to larger cities like Dallas or Austin, I believe maintaining the current arrangement makes sense.
My goal here is ensuring our courts remain accessible, efficient and fiscally responsible while making decisions based on the needs of our community.
Marina Garcia
What are your three priorities?
- Return the school truancy cases back to Precinct 3.
- Make sure every staff member attends the required classes offered by the Texas Justice Training Center.
- Review all paperwork that the constable should be serving.
What are some of the recent accomplishments and improvements in the JP system in Lubbock? And what still needs to be improved? What’s your plan for doing that?
I cannot speak for the other courts. No recent accomplishments have been made in Precinct 3. The priority will be to attend the JP school offered by the Texas Justice Training Center to learn of new laws and modern technology to help the office.
What is the status of evictions in Lubbock County? Have the rules become more complicated and if so, how does affect landlords and tenants? What will be the impact of hiring deputy constables?
The number of evictions has not grown in the past three years. The constables start at 7 a.m. and leave at 4:30 p.m. when they should be on a 24/7 duty. Is there enough work for them to justify a deputy constable? The public should be interested in knowing how much money they make for Lubbock County. Traffic tickets and warrants. During my time as constable, I was serving 60 to 120 evictions a week. There was no time to do anything but bailiff court and serve paperwork all the time.
There has been talk of moving the JP courts to their precincts instead of the courthouse. What’s best for the public – moving them or leaving them? And why?
What the JP courts need is more room. The County Commissioners need to add to the courthouse or buy nearby buildings and move departments into them. I disagree with moving offices out to precincts; it has been done before and it was not cost effective for the county.
Election ‘26
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