Denton County, Texas

Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

2 candidates are tracked for Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Chris Pochyla and Katrina Moore. Candidate information follows official Denton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

May 26 runoff result: Chris Pochyla won the Republican runoff over Chelsie Adams, 5,257 votes (54.81 percent) to 4,334, after a three-way March 3 primary that also included Martin Padeti; Katrina Moore was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Both meet on the November 3 ballot, per Denton Record-Chronicle reporting on the official results. This is an open seat; incumbent James DePiazza did not seek re-election.

What this office does

Justice of the peace. Justices of the peace handle the lowest-level court matters: small claims, evictions, traffic and minor criminal cases, and, in some states, marriages and inquests. The office is part of the judiciary, so candidates are limited in what they may promise.

Texas › Denton County › Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

Chris Pochyla

Republican

Top priorities

Reducing wait times and ensuring prompt case resolution
Making court procedures understandable for self-represented litigants
Encouraging mediation in small claims and civil disputes

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Chris Pochyla has 24 years of legal experience and currently serves as Associate Magistrate for The Colony, Frisco and Cross Roads, per his campaign site. He holds a business degree from Texas A&M and a law degree from Southern Methodist University, and began his legal career as a staff attorney with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Katrina Moore

Democratic

Top priorities

Treating every person in the courtroom fairly regardless of background
Being transparent and accountable in judicial decisions
Making court processes clear and accessible

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Moore has worked as an attorney, small business owner, and operations administrator, building systems to ensure regulations are applied fairly and efficiently, per the campaign site. Moore has also served as a caregiver for aging parents and as a community leader in Little Elm, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotDenton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in 2026?

When is the Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 election in Texas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Denton County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Denton County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Denton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Denton County ballot

33 tracked races in Denton County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 Denton County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6 See all 33 Denton County races

Candidate profiles

Chris Pochyla, full profile Katrina Moore, full profile Official Texas election office