Robert J Taylor
Incumbent Republican Candidate for Potter County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 66
Q: What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
A: Associate degree in criminal justice, graduate of the 42nd Amarillo Police Department Academy, 36 year career in local law enforcement, 4 years of military service, over 4000 hours of education in Law Enforcement Education, Master Police Officer Certificate, Police Instructor Certificate, Attended 9 weeks of school for New Judges and additional 20 hours for each year preceding through Texas Justice Center located in Austin Texas. The last three years I've spent as the incumbent Justice of the Peace and learned and instituted the many aspects of the office.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own. (If this question is not applicable, please note that below.)
A: not applicable
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 57, Barrio Neighborhood, Barrio Arts Project
Q: Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
A: Current Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Upcoming Facebook
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2022?
A: I initially ran in 2018 because I felt the office needed to be more efficient office. Since taking over the office in 2019, the first 6 months dealt with training of personnel, records management and letting the public know we were back taking care of daily business. Recently the office started accepting Truancy Cases from JP1. Our main purpose is to ensure the "Peoples Court" allows avenues of justice for the citizens of the precinct and those who come before it.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: 1.) Maintain qualified, people orientated staff who are educated in the court system for our level of jurisdiction.
2.) Maintain a working relationship with the public we serve in the courts. Not everyone likes or agrees with the out come of their case, but everyone will receive the respect of the court and the opportunity to speak.
3.) Continue with a good working relationship with the other 3 JP Courts along with the County Courts, County Attorneys Office, District Court, District Attorney, County Judge and Commissioner's Court and local Law Enforcement Agencies we work with on a daily basis.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: The ever changing laws, rules, procedures and mandatory directives from the The Texas Supreme Court. Covid-19 brought a new concept to the courts with working from home, computer "zoom" hearings and many different avenues in accomplishing our duties. My goal is to stay abreast of the updates, changes and look at other aspects to provide convenience, expedience and completion of the cases brought before the court which provides equality to all concerned.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I have over 43 years experience in public service with the last 3 as the incumbent Justice of Peace for Precinct 2. During this period I have completed over 400 death inquests, 1020 Criminal Cases, 637 Debit Claims, 662 Evictions, 114 small claim cases and done over 2000 magistrates including issuing of over 150 protective orders and nearly 50 breath analyses mechanisms ordered on vehicles of repeat DWI offenders. JP2 has recently started doing truancy cases which includes AISD, Bushland, River Road and Highland Park School Districts, which is no easy matter, but we are up for the challenge. I am the most qualified candidate for this position and have the experience you can count on.