Chandler pledges equal treatment under the law in judicial race

James “J.D.” Chandler, a Liberty County attorney with deep roots in the community, is seeking the Republican nomination for 75th State District Judge in the March 3, 2026 primary.

Chandler grew up in Liberty’s South Liberty Oilfield area before moving to Hardin as a junior in high school, where he met his wife, Ramona. The couple has been married for 25 years and is raising four children.

After graduating high school, Chandler attended San Jacinto College, earning an associate degree before going to work in the chemical plants. While employed in the industry, he earned a degree in criminal justice and worked as a welding inspector at Exxon, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a rig welder.

Chandler later left the oil industry to attend South Texas College of Law in downtown Houston. After earning his law degree, he spent several years working in the Galleria area as a clerk, paralegal, and attorney before returning home to Liberty County to open a private practice. He has now been practicing law locally for more than a dozen years.

Today, Chandler is part of a three-attorney firm alongside Josh Fitzgerald and Emily Cook. His practice includes a wide range of cases, including family law, personal injury, criminal defense, wills, trusts, estates, probate matters, and guardianships. He said that diversity in practice was both necessary early on and something he continues to enjoy.

“I didn’t want to get stuck in one niche and get bored with it,” Chandler said. “Learning new things is fun to me.”

The 75th State District Court handles a mix of felony criminal cases and higher-level civil matters, something Chandler said is often misunderstood by the public.

“Everyone assumes the district courts are just for felonies,” he said. “But they also handle a lot of civil matters as well.”

Chandler noted that the court serves a growing population, with Liberty County’s official census numbers not fully reflecting the number of residents actually relying on the court system. He said the workload is further complicated by the fact that the district court is split between two counties.

When asked what motivated him to run for judge, Chandler said it was a combination of experience, timing, and concern for the future of the community.

“If I just sit in my office and do nothing, then my kids or my grandkids may not want to live in Liberty County if we don’t stand up and do something different,” he said. He added that encouragement from his adult children played a role in his decision to run.

Chandler described his judicial philosophy as rooted in fairness and consistency, regardless of a person’s background.

“I grew up in a $500 trailer house in South Liberty Oilfield,” he said. “Your socioeconomic status, your family background — none of that should matter. What should matter is the law.”

He emphasized that fairness, in his view, means applying the law the same way in every case.

“If one person gets a certain sentence, then everybody gets that same sentence under the same circumstances,” Chandler said. “It shouldn’t depend.”

Chandler said judges must set aside personal feelings and apply the law strictly as written, even when outcomes are difficult.

“It’s not the judge’s fault the case is before them,” he said. “Whatever the rules say, that’s how the system operates.”

Consistency, Chandler said, also improves efficiency in an overburdened court system. When attorneys know how a judge will rule, cases are more likely to be resolved without unnecessary delays.

“There are cases in our county that are thousands of days old,” he claimed, noting that judges have a responsibility to move cases forward and protect the right to a speedy trial.

Chandler also stressed the importance of ethics, transparency, and public accountability. He said a judge’s personal conduct matters because most citizens only interact with judges outside the courtroom.

“Your perception with the people is really based off of you personally,” he said.

He praised local media for helping bridge the gap between the courthouse and the public, saying transparency helps residents better understand how the justice system functions.

Community engagement, Chandler said, is another essential part of the role.

“You shouldn’t be a recluse,” he said. “You need to know what’s happening in the community — whether crime is trending up, what law enforcement is doing, and how court rulings are affecting behavior.”

If elected, Chandler said his courtroom would operate with clear expectations, equal treatment, and an emphasis on efficiency without sacrificing justice.

“The people are entitled to a speedy trial,” he said. “Cases shouldn’t just languish.”

The Republican primary election for 75th State District Judge will be held March 3, 2026.To hear more of the interview with Chander, click HERE to listen on YouTube or tune into KILE FM Radio on Friday, at 10 a.m., to hear the episode on the radio station.