Eads holds narrow lead in Denton County judge race

Republican incumbent Andy Eads holds a slim lead over Democratic challenger Nick Pappas for Denton County judge, according to unofficial results from Denton County Elections.

The race matters beyond Denton County's borders. Parts of Southlake and Westlake straddle the Denton County line, and residents in those areas voted in this contest.

Eads had 192,497 votes, or 50.8%, to Pappas's 186,654 votes, or 49.2%, with 236 of 252 reporting units counted as of 1:24 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. The count is not complete.

The Denton Record-Chronicle described the results as "final but unofficial." The Cross Timbers Gazette reported the same vote totals.

Why it matters locally

The county judge chairs the Denton County Commissioners Court, which sets the county budget and property tax rate, according to the Denton County government website. The judge also presides over civil cases, probate matters and mental health commitment hearings, as The Flower Mound Bee reported in October.

For northeast Tarrant property owners taxed by Denton County, the outcome directly shapes their tax rate.

Key campaign issues

Eads, a Flower Mound resident and fifth-generation Denton County native, campaigned on keeping the county's tax rate low. He stated on his campaign website that Denton County has the lowest countywide tax rate among the top 15 counties in Texas. He also campaigned on supporting law enforcement.

Pappas, a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served 17 years on active duty, called for greater fiscal accountability. He stated on his campaign website that the county took $172 million in federal recovery money and stopped reporting it publicly in 2024.

At an Oct. 10 League of Women Voters forum at the Denton County Administrative Courthouse, Pappas said, "I am anti-data center, 100%," according to the Denton Record-Chronicle. Eads declined to participate in that forum, according to the league.

Pappas also opposed the county's 287(g) task force agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which the Commissioners Court approved in January.

What's next

Under a Texas Secretary of State election advisory, the local canvass must occur between Nov. 6 and Nov. 17. Late-arriving overseas and military ballots may be received through Nov. 9, and provisional ballots must be counted before the canvass. A recount request must be filed by 5 p.m. on the third business day after the canvass.

Eads has served on the Commissioners Court since 2007, first as Precinct 4 commissioner and then as county judge starting in 2019, according to his Denton County biography. No concession statement from Pappas appeared in available public records as of Nov. 4.