Here are the Republican primary candidates for Tarrant County judge
Two Republicans are on the primary ballot for Tarrant County judge, the chief executive of county government who presides over the commissioners court. The winner in the March 3 primary will advance to the November election and face one of these Democratic candidates.
Here are the Republicans’ responses to the Star-Telegram candidate questionnaires, in the order they’ll appear on your ballot.
Tim O’Hare
Did not respond.
Robert Trevor Buker
Age (as of March 3): 42
Campaign website: www.buker-4-tarrant-county-judge.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: 817-455-5029 or on my website
Occupation: Behavioral Health Security Officer
Education: Associates in Applied Science
Have you run for elected office before? Yes 2020 Tarrant County Judge, Republican Precinct Chair 2023
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County.
I am the media, and executive board member for Tarrrant County Republican Hispanic Assembly. I was a Republican Precinct Chair. I have attended many rallies, events, and have helped as well as volunteered on many campaigns. I have spoken at plenty of Tarrant County Commissioners Court Meeting, and School Board meetings at various schools.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? NO
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Myself, Shannon Morgan, Pat Heely
Why are you seeking this office?
I am running because the current political climate in Tarrant County has created unnecessary division and a lack of accountability. Our constitutional rights have been ignored, transparency has been reduced, and taxpayers have seen no meaningful tax relief.
True tax reduction comes from responsible use of tax abatements and proper management of the ad valorem tax rate not empty promises.
Commissioners Court meetings have been reduced to just one meeting a month, limiting public input and oversight. At the same time, our county jail has experienced an unacceptable number of deaths and costly lawsuits many of which were preventable.
Tarrant County deserves leadership that restores transparency, protects constitutional rights, lowers taxes, and puts the safety and dignity of our citizens first.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Taxes, Elections, Constitution
How will you measure your success as County Judge?
By the response of the people, conservative people driven policies, and common-sense infrastructure.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am a true conservative who respects the Constitution and the voice of the people, with a proven record of defending constitutional rights since 2019. My opponent has a history of violating free speech, from Farmers Branch in 2006 through Commissioners Court, and the current administration has produced too many avoidable lawsuits, including two involving the County Judge.
My background in Corrections equips me to help fix our jails. I understand use-of-force policies and standard procedures. As a former general manager of two restaurants, I turned failing operations into 15–30% profits and understand budgets, contracts, projections, and managing employees.
I will not take a raise. Raises will go to county employees who have gone years without one.
I will strengthen elections with a real Election Integrity Task Force, lower taxes by reforming ad valorem taxes and tax abatements and govern with honesty and transparency for the citizens of Tarrant County.
What role should the county judge play in maintaining civility on the commissioners court and in the audience? How would you do so?
The County Judge should uphold the Constitution, including the First Amendment rights of speakers.
Ensure equal treatment of all commissioners and members of the public, regardless of political viewpoint.
De-escalate using calm leadership to keep discussions productive and focused.
Protect public participation, allowing citizens to be heard without fear of retaliation, so long as they follow the Constitution.
Set the tone through personal conduct, demonstrating patience, respect, and restraint.
What challenges do commissioners face with the 2025 redistricting? How would you resolve those issues?
Redistricting presents challenges including legal compliance with constitutional and Voting Rights Act requirements, tight timelines, public distrust, and the risk of costly lawsuits. Balancing equal population with preserving communities of interest is difficult and must be done carefully.
I would address these challenges through a transparent process with open hearings, early public input, and clearly defined criteria. Nonpartisan experts and legal counsel would be involved from the start to ensure compliance. Maps would prioritize population equality, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest, with no favoritism toward incumbents. Early legal review would help prevent litigation and protect taxpayers.
How do you propose changing the tax rate and budget at the end of the budget year?
At the end of the budget year, I will lower the tax burden by addressing the tax rate and county spending. Reducing—or eliminating—the ad valorem tax is a priority, and tax abatements will be used responsibly to support businesses without burdening homeowners.
I will work with the Tarrant County Appraisal District to lower the effective tax rate while maintaining essential services. I will eliminate waste, including excessive storage fees, and help departments operating in the red become more efficient and profitable.
By combining responsible tax policy with disciplined budgeting, we can reduce taxes, improve county operations, and protect taxpayers without cutting public safety or core services.
This story was originally published February 14, 2026 at 3:00 AM.