Republican Brian Staley is running for Texas District Court Judge in District 270, a Harris County civil court seat. He faces Democrat Dedra Davis in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he is seeking the office, Staley said, "I'm running on a simple campaign promise: 'I'll do a better job than the incumbent.'" He added that his opponent "is the worst-rated judge in the Houston Bar Association judicial evaluation questionnaire" and that "nearly 73 percent of respondents gave her the lowest possible rating for overall performance …"

Candidate information

Party: Republican

Education: Asked about his education in our questionnaire, Staley said, "I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in Houston."

Family: "My wife of 36 years and I have three grown children, who all live and work in Houston," Staley said in our questionnaire.

Birthplace: Natchez, Mississippi, according to Ballotpedia.

Previous elected or appointed offices: He has held none, according to his questionnaire response.

Experience and public service

Staley described his work history in our questionnaire: "I have practiced civil law for over 29 years here in Houston. My wife and I also own a small business." He added, "I am a past Chair of the Commercial and Consumer Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. In 2024, I was elected a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation."

According to BallotReady, Staley has worked as senior staff counsel at Midland Credit Management since 2012. He previously worked as an attorney at Hull & Associates PC from 1998 to 2010 and at Allen L. Adkins & Associates PC from 2010 to 2012. He has also owned Tomfoolery Toys since 2015.

Before practicing law, Staley worked as an intelligence research specialist and imagery analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, according to his campaign website.

Staley ran as a Republican candidate for Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 in 2022 and for the Texas 333rd District Court in 2024, according to Ballotpedia.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy and qualifications: Asked what sets him apart from other candidates, Staley said in our questionnaire, "It's not just about knowing the law, it's about applying it in a way that ensures trust in our legal system. Over the years, I have seen firsthand the impact of a competent and fair judge." He added, "You deserve a judge who understands the weight of each decision, who will never be swayed by outside influences, and who will always keep the best interests of our community at heart."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Staley said, "Over the past three decades, I've had the opportunity to represent clients in civil cases in our courts … I've seen the importance of having a judge who understands the law, but more importantly, who listens with an open mind, applies the law impartially, and ensures that justice is served fairly."

Best advice: Staley shared in our questionnaire: "You can't control events, only your reaction to them."

Staley has received endorsements from the Houston Chronicle editorial board, the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.