Candidates for Fort Worth area justice of the peace, Precinct 2 on Nov. 8 ballot
Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt
Political party: Republican
Age: 56
Campaign website: www.MTforJP.com
Occupation: Judge
Education: Texas Christian University, BBA-Management
Have you run for elected office before?
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Tarrant County.
What are highlights of your civic involvement?
By being involved personally and professionally at almost every level of the Arlington community, I understand, relate to, and communicate and collaborate with people, institutions, and organizations across all situations. I currently serve as a Pastor for a Mission Arlington Apt. Church, Downtown Arlington Management Corp. Board Chair, Arlington ISD Education Foundation Board Member and Past Chair, Rotary Club of Arlington Member and past President, Chamber of Commerce, Women Inspiring Philanthropy.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Don & Fiona Allen, Linebarger Goggan, Jim and Lara Haddock
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?
Judicial, educational and corporate experience, lifelong local community service, and a reputation as citizen who is proven, respected as trusted by all residents of Tarrant County. I am uniquely qualified to continue serving because I am a thankful Christian, devoted wife and mother, successful businesswoman and manager, and dedicated community volunteer. For over 9 years, I have provided justice to citizens by successfully managing one of the highest volume Courts in Texas using my education and experiences to make tough, smart decisions all day long helping citizens resolve over 15,000 cases per year. By collaborating with agencies and programs in Court, I have helped thousands of students achieve graduation, helped landlords and tenants be made whole by arranging financial and rental assistance totaling over $40 million since 2019, and has saved county resources by using advanced technology, processes, and people to create one of the most efficient Courts in the state of Texas.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
The biggest issues are the ability uphold the Oath of Office and remain fair and impartial, to manage one of the highest volume courts in Texas, and to have a proven record of service and commitment to all citizens. My court is one of the most efficient courts in Texas and has one of the lowest percentages of pending cases. My experience and commitment partnered with my understanding of the job has allowed me to use processes, procedures, and technology to take our office paperless, implement electronic signature, email most court documents, and maximize the use of technology to reduce travel time on short proceedings thus reducing the amount of time and resources to obtain resolutions to problems. My diverse background, education and experiences have uniquely equipped me to help people solve their problems. By being involved personally and professionally at almost every level of my community my entire life, I relate to and communicate with people in all situations.
Jeca Williams
Political party: Democrat
Age: 48
Campaign website: www.Jeca4judge.com
Occupation: Student Conduct Officer, Mediator, Adjunct Professor
Education: Masters in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Abilene Christian University Bachelors major in Alternative Dispute Resolution/Sociology
Have you run for elected office before?
No
What are highlights of your civic involvement?
Volunteer Mediator with local courts, Past Volunteer Ombudsman, ESL and GED instructor, member of Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated, NAACP, member of American Bar Association, member of Texas Association of Mediators.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
CWA Local 6215, UAW Local 276, Sandra Lee
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent?
As a mother and grandmother, I have been both a tenant and a landlord, so I know the difficulties that we face in our community. In my experience as a union steward, small business owner, and an adjunct professor teaching ESL and GED and other courses, I have worked to empower and support diverse people in our community. Through volunteerism in Justice of the Peace Courts and residential care facilities, I have supported our community to address and resolve a wide range of disputes. I am a direct reflection of the communities that we serve.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
Our community is made up of working-class mothers and fathers who are focused on providing for their families and supporting their communities. It is imperative that we improve accessibility to minimize the number of days that laborers miss work to attend court. We must proactively support our students to minimize truancy and not require our students to be absent from school to attend court to address attendance concerns. By engaging in our community we can ensure that courts are seen as a resource for the law to be applied fairly with compassion and accountability. We must on engage our community and connect the People to the People’s court.
