Art Clayton attended Austin College and has a degree from Texas Wesleyan University Law School. He has a wife and two children. Art attends the Presbyterian Church USA.

Art is a prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, where he has been since 2025. He previously worked as the civil attorney for Grayson County in 2023, advising elected officials and handling county contracts, development and human resource issues. From 2003 to 2023, he served in the Fort Worth office of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting gang, homicide and domestic violence cases and trying hundreds of criminal cases. Before that, he worked in the Johnson County Attorney’s Office from 1999 to 2003, handling juvenile, adult criminal and civil matters. After college, he worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration in Houston on flood disaster relief and at a civil litigation firm in Dallas County.

Art currently works as a criminal division prosecutor. He previously worked as a chief prosecutor, a civil attorney and in civil litigation.

Art Clayton's campaign for Judge of the 397th District Court of Grayson County, Texas is his first entry into politics.

Art's campaign for Judge of the 397th District Court of Grayson County, Texas is his first entry into politics.

As a civil attorney, advised elected officials; represented Grayson County in contracts, development matters, and human resource issues; and sought treatment for the mentally ill.

- As a civil attorney, advised elected officials; represented Grayson County in contracts, development matters, and human resource issues; and sought treatment for the mentally ill.

Legal Experience

Believes in open dialogues and promoting transparency.

- Believes in open dialogues and promoting transparency.

Judicial Administration

As of January 22, 2026, Art Clayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Conducted over 100 community talks to students, civic groups, and organizations on gang violence, domestic violence, internet safety, trial presentation, crime prevention, and more.

- Volunteered as a little league coach.
- Conducted over 100 community talks to students, civic groups, and organizations on gang violence, domestic violence, internet safety, trial presentation, crime prevention, and more.

Community Involvement

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Art Clayton

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- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.