Derek Gurley is from Dallas, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. He is married and has two adult children. He lives in Prosper, Texas.

Candidate website

Derek Gurley is from Dallas, Texas. He has a degree from Texas Tech University. Derek is married, has two adult children, and lives in Prosper, Texas.

Derek is a commercial real estate investor and manager. He also helps oversee residential real estate agents. He previously worked in the financial services industry as an advisor and regional director for multiple Fortune 500 companies. 

Derek is a commercial real estate investor and manager for his family's business. He previously worked in the financial services industry as an advisor and regional director. 

Derek is currently a justice of the peace for Denton County, Precinct 5. He was elected in 2025 and is currently serving his first term.

Derek Gurley - Ballotpedia

Derek's campaign for Justice of the Peace in Denton County is his first run for public office.

Holding a Texas Real Estate license, has knowledge of legal contracts and Texas property law.

- Holding a Texas Real Estate license, has knowledge of legal contracts and Texas property law.

Legal Experience

Believes in cooperative partnerships with the District Attorney Office to increase the number of criminal dockets held and make case resolution more efficient.

Plans to use technology to streamline court operations, reduce delays, and ensure efficiency.

Plans to cross-train court clerks to increase knowledge of cases and improve public service.

Plans to ensure citizens have access to clear legal educational forms and brochures explaining the legal process.

- Believes in cooperative partnerships with the District Attorney Office to increase the number of criminal dockets held and make case resolution more efficient.
- Plans to use technology to streamline court operations, reduce delays, and ensure efficiency.
- Plans to cross-train court clerks to increase knowledge of cases and improve public service.
- Plans to ensure citizens have access to clear legal educational forms and brochures explaining the legal process.

Judicial Administration

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

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Facebook

Instagram

Derek Gurley

Derek Gurley graduated from Texas Tech University. He is married with two children.

Derek spent 13 years in the financial services industry as an Advisor and Regional Director.

Derek is currently a candidate for Denton County justice of the peace, Precinct 5.

Emileigh

Walter Ley

Has experience in "resolving disputes, analyzing contracts, meeting deadlines, managing budgets and making fact based decisions that impact peoples livelihoods, families and property."

Vince Handler has a wife and four children. He is a member of the Fellowship Church. He earned his law degree from Baylor University. 

Vince is a litigator. He served more than 20 years in the United States Air Force.

Vince Handler's campaign for Denton Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 5, Republican Primary is his first run for public office.

Vince Handler announces run for Denton County ... - CitizenPortal.ai

For Candidate Vince Handler on Issue legal-experience: Practiced extensively in Texas courts, handling thousands of cases in Denton County JP courts, and gained a deep understanding of issues faced by everyday Texans.

Practiced "extensively in Texas courts, handling thousands of cases in Denton County JP courts, and gained a deep understanding of issues faced by everyday Texans."

- Practiced "extensively in Texas courts, handling thousands of cases in Denton County JP courts, and gained a deep understanding of issues faced by everyday Texans."

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

Served as a Precinct Chair and an Election Judge, working to engage voters and encourage civic participation.

Served as a Precinct Chair and an Election Judge, "working to engage voters [and] encourage civic participation."

Active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Vice President of the Denton County Republican Veterans club, advocating for veterans' issues in the community.

Active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Vice President of the Denton County Republican Veterans club, advocating for "veterans' issues in our community."

- Served as a Precinct Chair and an Election Judge, "working to engage voters [and] encourage civic participation."
- Active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Vice President of the Denton County Republican Veterans club, advocating for "veterans' issues in our community."

Vince Handler

Actively worships and serves at Fellowship Church, involved in outreach programs, youth initiatives, and small groups for community connection and spiritual growth.

- Justices of the Peace oversee Justice Courts, trial courts for civil cases up to $20,000, and misdemeanor cases punishable only by fine. They also perform marriages, issue warrants, conduct preliminary hearings, and serve as notaries.
- Texas has 835 Justice Courts, each presided over by a single judge. Every county has between one and eight precincts based on the county's population, each with its own Justice Court.
- Justices of the Peace are elected through partisan, precinct-wide election to four-year terms. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, have been a Texas resident for at least 12 consecutive months, a district resident for at least six consecutive months, and registered to vote in that precinct.
- The annual salary for Justices of the Peace ranges from $19,207 to $151,805 and is by the county's Commissioners Court.


Presides over civil cases and fine-only misdemeanor cases.

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

Denton Justice of the Peace, Justice Precinct 5, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)

Compare candidates

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement