Montgomery County, Texas

Judge, County Court at Law No. 1

One candidate is tracked for Judge, County Court at Law No. 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John C. Hafley. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Single-nominee race: John C. Hafley is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the county's certified candidate list (Texas prints unopposed candidates); no other candidate filed in the March 3 Republican primary and no Democrat filed.

What this office does

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. The sitting officeholder, John C. Hafley, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Texas › Montgomery County › Judge, County Court at Law No. 1

John C. Hafley

Republican Incumbent

Biography

Hafley was elected in November 2022 to serve as Judge of Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1, per the campaign site. Before taking the bench, Hafley worked as a police officer and an Assistant District Attorney, and owned a private practice for over 10 years in Montgomery County. Hafley is a U.S. Army veteran who retired as a Brigadier General in October 2023 and holds a law degree from South Texas College of Law and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, County Court at Law No. 1 in 2026?

When is the Judge, County Court at Law No. 1 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Montgomery County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Judge, County Court at Law No. 4 Judge, County Court at Law No. 6 Judge, County Probate Court No. 1 See all 26 Montgomery County races

Candidate profiles

John C. Hafley, full profile Official Texas election office