2018 Ellis County Clerk GOP Candidate Questionnaire responses

Left: Krystal Valdez. Middle: Jessica Irwin. Right: Denise DeLara.

ELLIS COUNTY — Learn more about the candidates running for Ellis County Clerk in their own words. The three candidates vying for the position answered a comprehensive questionnaire presented by Ellis County Citizen.

Voters will take to the polls on March 6, 2018 to cast a ballot for their preferred choice. Krystal Valdez, Jessica Irwin and Denise DeLara are facing off.

Election day voting will be held on March 6, 2018 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for a list of election day polling locations. Early voting will take place February 20, 2018 through March 2, 2018. Click here for a list of early voting locations and times.

Get to know each candidate by reviewing their responses to several questions posed by Ellis County Citizen. Compare the responses of each candidate to each question below or click on a candidate's name above to view an individual candidate's responses to all questions on one page. The candidates' names are in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Ellis County Citizen endorses Krystal Valdez in the 2018 Republican Primary.

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

1) Age:


2) City of Residence:


3) Years Living in Ellis County:


4) Family:


5) Education:


6) Previous Public Office Experience:


7) Occupation:


8) Church and Civic Involvement:


9) Please provide a biographical narrative.


10) What motivated your interest in running for County Clerk in Ellis County?


11) Briefly and succinctly define the job responsibilities of the office you are seeking.


12) What qualifications and professional experiences do you possess that are applicable to the position you are seeking requires? Be specific.


13) What qualifications do you possess that will enable you to manage a budget of over $1 million for the County Clerk’s office? Be specific.


14) How has your education and professional experience prepared you for this office?


15) Have you declared bankruptcy or have had any liens placed upon you in the past 10 years? If so, please explain.


16) What distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?


17) Is there any additional training that you plan to seek to assist you in the duties of County Clerk?


18) What is the appropriate budget size for the County Clerk’s office and why should the current budget be cut, remain the same or increased?


19) What are the three greatest challenges facing Ellis County related to the position you are seeking? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?


20) If elected, what are your top three priorities? How will you work with other elected officials and county staff to achieve them? Be specific.


21) Government transparency has been an issue at all levels of politics for the past few years. Do you feel that the county is transparent enough? If not, what needs to change?


22) Minutes from Commissioners’ Court meetings are often slow to be written, presented to the Commissioners’ Court for approval and published on the county website. Do you believe this is an issue? If so, what do you plan to do to resolve the issue?


23) In your opinion, what are the most important qualities that a County Clerk needs to have?


24) How can the office of County Clerk best serve the citizens of the county?


25) If elected, how would you reach out and form relationships with residents of Ellis County and how would you reach out to those residents in the outlying areas of the county?


26) If elected, what are the factors on which you will base your decisions as County Clerk?


27) Why should voters choose you?


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