El Paso Matters sent questionnaires to every candidate in a contested primary race to help you decide who you want to represent you. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and to fit the word count.
327th Judicial District Court: Democratic Primary
This court hears civil matters in which the amount of money or damages involved is $200 or more.
Who’s running for this seat?
Chris Daniel Anchondo
Chris Daniel Anchondo, 40, is an attorney.
Cori Harbour-Valdez
Cori Harbour-Valdez, 51, is an attorney and has served as an associate municipal court judge for the city of El Paso since 2013.
Alexandria Serra
Alexandria Serra, 37, is an attorney and the owner of D’lux Dog Care and Double Dog Dare Bakery.
Monique Velarde Reyes
Monique Velarde Reyes, 45, is an attorney and has served as the municipal court judge for the city of Socorro since 2016.
Anchondo
Serving my community. I have been in practice for 14 years, and when Judge Chew announced she was not going to seek re-election, I felt I could bring my experience and knowledge to continue the outstanding service Judge Chew has provided all these years.
Harbour-Valdez
When I learned Judge Chew would not seek re-election, I asked myself, “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?” I knew this was the opportunity for which I had been preparing my entire career. I have always aspired to be a judge. I have intentionally diversified my practice over the last 24 years to make myself a better lawyer and to help prepare me to be a better judge someday. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants and handled all types of civil cases, from filing the lawsuit through trial and appeal. I have over eight years of judicial experience as an Associate Municipal Judge for the City of El Paso.
Serra
A judge gets to impact lives on a daily basis, to uphold the Constitution, and to ensure that the law applies equally to everyone. That’s who I am. That’s what I’ve always stood for. There’s nothing more important than making all parties feel heard and treating each litigant, juror, and witness with respect. The legal process can be both anxiety-inducing and complex. I have the demeanor, knowledge, and drive to make my courtroom a place where the parties feel respected. As an energetic, dedicated lawyer, I am ready to take the next step in my journey of public service.
Velarde
As a current Judge, I enjoy serving my community in this capacity. Being a District Judge would allow me to serve a greater population.
Anchondo
I have tried over 70 cases to verdict. The cases, in civil matters, have ranged from Wrongful Death to Small Claims matters. In criminal matters, the cases have ranged from 1st Degree Felonies to Class C misdemeanors. As all types of family law matters.
Harbour-Valdez
Since the 327th is a civil trial court, I am only including civil trial experience:
- Steven Takacs, et al. v. American Eurocopter, LLC, et al., in the 327th District Court (Jury Trial, products liability-wrongful death, defense team)
- Baros v. Chertoff, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Bench Trial; employment discrimination, plaintiff’s attorney)
- Martino v. Pika International, Inc., et al., in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Jury Trial, personal injury, plaintiff’s attorney)
- Vega, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, et al., in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Jury Trial, products liability-personal injury, defense team)
Serra
Trials to Verdict: 15 serious felony cases to verdict, numerous misdemeanors. (Ex: Murder, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Robbery, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity/Aggravated Assault, Sexual Assault, Tampering with Government Records, Obstruction or Retaliation, Assault on a Public Servant.)
Appellate experience is equally as important as trial work. Appellate experience strengthens a lawyer’s mastery of evidentiary rules and procedure. All judges should have appellate experience to serve on the bench because judges must not only understand the law but also potential appellate issues that arise during trial to prevent error from unfairly affecting the judicial process. I am the only candidate with significant appellate experience. Appeals: More than 20.
Velarde
I haven’t kept track of the cases I’ve taken to trial, but I haven’t had to take many that far. I’ve prepared hundreds of cases for trial, only to have them dismissed on trial day before seating a jury or being offered a plea that benefits my clients.
Anchondo
I respect all the candidates in this race, and I am lucky to call them my colleagues. I feel I am the best candidate because I have the work ethic, temperament, and trial experience that has best prepared me for this position.
Harbour-Valdez
I have extensive civil trial and appellate experience in State and Federal courts. I have presided over hundreds of bench trials in Municipal Court. I have served as a juror in a complex civil case. I have practiced frequently in the 327th District Court as a Court-appointed guardian ad litem representing children in medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other negligence actions. I have also tried a complex products liability-wrongful death case in the 327th District Court. I am the most well-rounded candidate in this race in terms of legal experience, proven leadership, and community service.
Serra
I am an energetic litigator with a strong understanding of trial procedure and the experience to administer fair and efficient justice. I am the only candidate with a record of servant leadership and entrepreneurship inside and outside the law. My experience running a business (other than a law firm) gives me a unique perspective into the issues that will arise in this court. I’m also the only patent attorney in the race. Intellectual property law is one of the most complex areas of law. Practicing patent law requires a separate bar exam. My experience with IP is relevant because I have the proven ability to analyze complex legal issues quickly, easily, and accurately.
Velarde
What qualifies me as the best candidate is my extensive judicial experience. I have been a practicing attorney in the county of El Paso since 2007 and the Judge for the City of Socorro since 2016. As Judge, I have adjudicated thousands of cases, both with attorneys and with those people who choose to represent themselves. I follow the same rules of evidence and court that a District Court Judge does and am beholden to the same Judicial Rules of Conduct of even a Supreme Court Judge. I know how to run a courtroom efficiently, effectively, and respectfully.
Anchondo
I believe communication is going to be key in facilitating a faster docket and disposing of the caseload. Cases that can be worked out between the parties must be pressured to get together to resolve those disputes. Every case is different, and will be handled as such, but with a Scheduling Order in place that will be enforced, there can be communication between everybody involved throughout the process to help facilitate a resolution by the parties themselves, or through trial.
Harbour-Valdez
I do not believe that the docket of the 327th District Court needs to be “sped up.” Judge Chew runs an extremely efficient Court even considering the delays imposed by COVID-19. Having practiced in her Court frequently, I intend to continue to implement Judge Chew’s procedures that allow cases to be heard promptly and matters to be disposed of efficiently. I will uphold my responsibilities under the Code of Judicial Conduct to dispose of all judicial matters promptly, efficiently, and fairly, while being patient, dignified and courteous to all who come before me.
Serra
The key to moving cases is making sure that deadlines are enforced and that all cases have future hearing dates. With respect to cases that I inherit, I will set all cases older than 90 days for a status. All new cases will have pending hearings set from the beginning. An internal audit will be done periodically to make sure all cases are moving as scheduled. My team and I are experienced in performing a case audit every two weeks for my practice, which handles 350-500 new cases a month. I am committed to assisting other courts with their caseload and (safely) presiding over trials to help eliminate the backlog due to the pandemic.
Velarde
I believe this court has done a great job controlling the docket and caseload thus far. As such, I would continue that practice with effective calendaring and holding strong to the dates already scheduled.
Anchondo
No, I am running for this position to serve the community for as long as the people of this community will have me as their judge.
Harbour-Valdez
No. District Judges are elected to four-year terms. If I am the choice of the voters, I believe it should be left to the voters to decide in four years whether I should be allowed to continue to serve in this capacity.
Serra
Four-year term limits are reasonable. I support the democratic process of electing judges. If a judge is performing her duty to administer fair and efficient justice while upholding the Constitution, I see no reason why she should be subject to a maximum number of terms. I also support the qualifications set forth by the Texas Secretary of State for judges, including age limits.
Velarde
There is already a term limit based on age. However, if I believed that I no longer had the physical or mental capabilities to be Judge, I would retire from the bench or not seek re-election.
Anchondo
I have been a registered Democrat since I was 18 years old. But with that being said, as a judge, politics will not play a role in my decisions. We are sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Texas Constitution. We assess the facts of each case and use the law to help us make the right decision.
Harbour-Valdez
I have been a registered Democrat since age 18 and cannot imagine running as anything but a Democrat.
Serra
I have been a proud Democrat for almost 20 years.
Velarde
I’ve been a lifelong democrat and actively participate in various democratic organizations in the county.
