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

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: None, according to our questionnaire.

Family in politics or government: No, according to our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Describing his work history in our questionnaire, Staley said, "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."

Staley said he is "licensed in Arizona, Colorado, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northern U.S. District Courts in Texas" in addition to Texas.

According to his campaign website, Staley has represented clients in over 90 Texas counties and has litigated thousands of cases, including victories at the Texas Supreme Court. He previously worked as an intelligence research specialist and imagery analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, according to the same site.

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

On the issues

Critical differences: 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: "You can't control events, only your reaction to them," Staley said in our questionnaire.