One candidate is tracked for Judge, 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: James "JD" Chandler. Candidate information follows official Liberty County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
James "JD" Chandler and appointed incumbent Michelle Merendino ran closest in a four-candidate March 3, 2026 Republican primary field (Merendino 33.42%, Chandler 31.18%) with no majority winner, then Chandler finished ahead of Merendino in the May 26, 2026 runoff, 56.54% to 43.46%, per the county's official runoff results. No Democrat filed, so Chandler is unopposed in November. Merendino resigned the bench early, effective August 7, 2026, before her appointed term was set to end, and Governor Abbott's office began the process to appoint a replacement while Chandler awaited his own term to begin in January, per Bluebonnet News.
Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
Texas › Liberty County › Judge, 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County
Republican
James "JD" Chandler grew up in Liberty County and graduated from Hardin High School, per his campaign site. He worked in oil fields and plants while attending law school at night, and later practiced law in Houston before opening his own firm, per his campaign site. He has practiced in Liberty, Chambers, Jefferson and Harris counties for more than 15 years, handling family, property, civil and criminal law cases, per his campaign site.
Who is running for Judge, 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for Judge, 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: James "JD" Chandler. Candidate information follows official Liberty County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Judge, 75th Judicial District Court of Liberty County 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 Liberty 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.
Candidate roster from official Liberty 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 Liberty County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
16 tracked races in Liberty County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.