Meet J.R. Mendoza

What is your background and campaign platform?

As the incumbent, I am looking to maintain my position, so that I can continue to use our court, to help stop the Fentanyl crisis that continues to kill our children. As a dedicated public servant, I have over 20 years of combined public service experience as an EMT, Police Officer and Compliance Manager. Additionally, I have given back to the community through years of and countless hours of volunteering.

How has your educational background and experience prepared you for this position?

In 1998, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Political Science and I have 12+ years of contract compliance experience working for the State of Texas. I have an additional 10+ years of honorable law enforcement work experience and am knowledgeable on the law and courtroom procedures. In Texas, a Law degree is not required to perform the duties of a Justice of the Peace. The Justice Court is described as a “People’s Court” and the court follows a separate set of rules than the County and District Courts. Typically, citizens or companies represent themselves in court to dispute contract violations. My contract compliance experience, while working for the State of Texas, allows me to easily preside over these cases. I am the only candidate with experience in death investigations training and experience garnered from my time working as a law enforcement officer. This is important because the majority of the duties for the Justice of the Peace Pct. 2, Place 2 are performing inquests (death investigations) and issuing arrest warrants. I maintain a Master’s Peace Officer Certification and have over 4,900 hours of Law Enforcement training hours.

One of the duties of Justice of the Peace is setting bonds. Do you currently feel bonds are set fairly or are there any improvements that could be made?

Improvements can be made.

What Democratic values will you apply to your work once elected?

I treat people with fairness and equality for all individuals and my decisions are based on the established laws and civil procedures. I do not discriminate based on someone’s education, ethnicity, income, gender, sexual orientation, age, where someone lives or if they speak English. As a former law enforcement officer, I took pride in having an honorable career and treating those I encountered with fairness and respect. If an individual is found guilty of a Misdemeanor, I will hold them accountable, but I will do it with compassion. If someone cannot afford to pay an established fine, I will have options, such as community service, available to the individual. As of January 1, 2025, I plan on having a diversion program for those juveniles who have class C misdemeanors. Finally, I am working to make schools a safe place for kids to learn and to address those that are truant or have class C misdemeanors. I am working with various community stakeholders to address drug usage in schools and the Fentanyl Crisis.

Describe your involvement in the community.

"When I was growing up, my household was poor and there were not a lot of resources for us. It is imperative to have organizations and services in the community that can benefit the needs of the community, such as homelessness, hunger, education and recreation. I am aware of the importance of having certain non-profits or schools with programs to help those with a specific need. Years before I was appointed or decided to run for office, I volunteered for various organizations. It is upsetting when one of my opponents is wanting to be a Justice of the Peace to “give back to the community”. Their “giving back” should not be based on whether or not they get elected to this position. A true measure of a person’s community involvement is what they have already done in the community and for the community. For the last 20+ years, my family and I have volunteered in various communities within Hays County. I provide my time and resources to various organizations and needs in the community. I have frequently volunteered with multiple area Food Banks. For over 15 years I have volunteered my time to teach Karate to at-risk kids. For at least 3 years I have volunteered at a Youth shelter and I volunteered as a board member for Friends of the Family Justice Center, a resource center for victims of Domestic Violence. Additionally, I have been a board member of a Hays County Emergency Services District. To this day, I continue to volunteer in our community, in support of others."

If elected, would you support the Hays County Democratic Party by your presence at events and, if possible, financially? If not, please explain why.

Yes, I do plan to support the Hays County Democratic Party at many of its events.

Will you and your campaign participate in the Hays County Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign effort in 2024?

Due to Judicial Codes I may be limited in the amount of participation in the Coordinated Campaign effort.