Nick Pappas

Nick Pappas served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2005 to 2022. He earned a high school diploma from Humble High School. As of his 2026 campaign, he was retired.[1]

Denton County Judge

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

LAW ENFORCEMENT - I will ensure that law enforcement, sheriffs, and constables have the support, staffing, and resources they need to keep our communities safe. The county judge influences the county budget and priorities, so I will work directly with our criminal justice partners to make sure they have modern equipment, proper training, and competitive pay so we can recruit and retain strong public safety teams. We need to take care of those who take care of us.INFRASTRUCTURE - Infrastructure and emergency preparedness are core responsibilities of the county judge. I will focus on improving roads, bridges, public buildings, and emergency response systems so neighborhoods and rural areas alike are safe and connected. Strong infrastructure means faster EMS response times and less strain on families and businesses. I want a county that works in every corner, not just the busiest areas.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - The county judge is the primary community leader who coordinates across cities, towns, schools, and local agencies. I will be a hands on presence in every precinct, listening to residents and working directly with law enforcement, schools, and community groups to solve problems together. I believe county government should show up, build trust, and deliver better services for the people who live here.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

ELECTIONS - I am committed to free, fair, and accessible elections. Every eligible voter in Denton County deserves clear information, convenient polling locations, and reasonable wait times. The county judge plays a major role in funding polling operations and supporting election staff, and I will make sure our democracy is well staffed, well advertised, and transparent. Voting should be easy, not stressful. Every voice should be heard.

Campaign websitePappas' campaign website stated the following:A Platform Built for TexansCommon-sense solutions that put working families firstTexas deserves better than rigged maps and "pick the lesser evil" politics. We're done playing by rules written to protect the powerful. It's time for real change that works for everyone.Accountability & InfrastructureDenton County needs emergency plans, public safety staffing, and infrastructure systems that actually match the pace of our growth instead of pretending the old setup still works. This policy strengthens disaster preparedness, supports first responders with real training and stable funding, and fixes transportation, drainage, and mobility gaps using state recommended planning standards. It also addresses years of leadership failures by committing to transparent communication, compliance with state law, and public accountability. The goal is a county government that is prepared, reliable, and honest with the people who depend on it.Disaster PreparednessUpdate county emergency operations plans: Many residents do not know who leads local disaster response even though the Texas Disaster Act designates the County Judge as the emergency management director and Denton County already maintains a formal Denton County Emergency Management Office. The County Judge should update all Denton County emergency operations plans under the Texas Disaster Act and publish plain language summaries so residents can understand how the command, coordination, and response are structured, which Texas Division of Emergency Management recommends in its public readiness guidance.Expand alert and warning systems: Delayed alerts leave residents unprepared for severe weather, wildfires, or chemical incidents, a recurring issue identified by the National Weather Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management in their after action reviews. The County Judge should integrate Denton County alert systems with state and federal warning tools authorized under Chapter 418 and increase resident enrollment in local notification systems so warnings reach people across multiple channels when conditions shift.Coordinate drills with schools and cities: Emergency duties across cities, schools, hospitals, and county agencies remain untested even though FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management report that multi-agency drills expose system gaps before real disasters. The Denton County Emergency Management Office and the county judge should schedule regular exercises that include school districts, hospitals, fire departments, transit agencies, and municipal partners so unified response can be practiced and evaluated using FEMA exercise standards.Improve public communication protocols: Emergencies become more confusing when agencies release conflicting information, something documented in state reports after recent Texas disasters where county, regional, and state messaging did not align. Denton County should adopt a unified communication protocol that identifies a lead spokesperson, standardizes information flows with partner agencies, and uses the emergency management website and official social media as centralized public information hubs, which FEMA recommends in its Joint Information System guidance.Strengthen partnerships with state agencies: Local capacity alone cannot manage large scale disasters and counties depend on the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Emergency Response Commission, and regional councils of government for logistics, equipment, and funding according to state emergency coordination documents. The County Judge should maintain active communication with Texas Division of Emergency Management leadership, participate in regional preparedness planning, and ensure Denton County response plans align with state frameworks so resource requests and state support move quickly when major incidents occur.First RespondersImprove officer recruitment and retention: Texas law enforcement agencies report persistent hiring shortages, rising retirements, and difficulty keeping trained officers. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the Texas Municipal League both documented workforce decline, pay competition, and vacancy issues across sheriff and police departments. Denton County should work with the sheriff and constables to create multi-year pay and staffing plans that prevent churn and keep the county competitive, which aligns with recommendations from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.Expand mental health response training: A large portion of law enforcement encounters involve mental health crises and Texas jails have become de-facto mental health facilities. Reports from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission show that untreated mental illness often funnels people into county jails when front line responders lack training and alternatives. Denton County should fund crisis intervention training and mental health response education for Denton County officers and link it to partnerships with local mental health centers, which reflects best practice guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.Strengthen de-escalation practices: Confrontations without de-escalation training increase injuries for residents and officers, and statewide analyses highlight higher risk when departments lack consistent standards. Research from the Police Executive Research Forum and peer reviewed studies in the Journal of Experimental Criminology confirm that structured de-escalation programs reduce use of force and injuries. Denton County should integrate these standards into county-supported training and measure outcomes so staff follow national best practices supported by professional law enforcement associations.Support wellness and resilience programs: First responders face burnout, trauma, and chronic stress, which contribute to turnover and long term health problems. The Texas Fire Chiefs Association, the National Emergency Number Association, and the International Association of Fire Fighters have documented high levels of mental and physical strain among deputies, firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatchers. Denton County should fund county wellness programs, peer support networks, and access to counseling so Denton County can retain experienced personnel and strengthen readiness, which is supported by recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.Ensure stable predictable public safety funding: Departments struggle to plan staffing, training, and equipment when funding fluctuates year to year, a challenge noted in Government Finance Officers Association guidance and county budget reviews across Texas. The County Judge should lead a budget process that ties Denton County public safety funding to multi-year operational plans with clear explanations for how each investment supports outcomes like response times, case clearance, and officer readiness. This follows best practices recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association and the National Association of Counties.Leadership AccountabilityBoundary dispute created legal uncertainty: Denton County was involved in a long running boundary dispute with Tarrant County near the Flower Mound and Trophy Club area, documented in civil filings and local government briefings, which created uncertainty for homeowners about taxation and jurisdiction while courts evaluated competing claims. The Texas Constitution and Local Government Code require counties to administer services within clear boundaries, and uncertainty disrupts tax planning and service delivery. The County Judge and Commissioners Court should work with the County Attorney and neighboring counties to clarify disputed boundaries early, communicate risks through public meetings, and prepare a contingency plan for tax and service adjustments consistent with Texas Attorney General guidance on boundary settlement procedures.Past election challenges raised concerns: Denton County officials have faced legal contests in past elections, such as the 2011 local option election challenge filed under the Texas Election Code that contested how county officials defined the affected territory. The Election Code requires precise mapping and publication procedures for elections and errors increase legal exposure. The County Judge should ensure all elections are mapped, noticed, and administered in strict compliance with the Election Code, to seek Secretary of State direction when ambiguities arise, and to brief Commissioners Court publicly on legal standards so election procedures withstand scrutiny.Jail visitation policy faced litigation: Denton County and the sheriff's office were named in litigation challenging the elimination of in person visitation at the county jail, alleging violations of Texas Commission on Jail Standards requirements. Texas Commission on Jail Standards rules mandate minimum in person visitation opportunities and lawsuits increase oversight and financial risk. The County Judge and Commissioners Court should coordinate with the Sheriff to conduct periodic audits using Texas Commission on Jail Standards rules, publish compliance findings, and adjust policies to ensure the jail meets state standards, similar to oversight practices recommended by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.Voter roll reviews drew scrutiny: Statewide voter roll integrity reviews identified small numbers of potential non-citizen registrations in Denton County according to Secretary of State notices and media reports, which raised concern even though most flagged records statewide were later verified as lawful voters. The National Voter Registration Act and Texas Election Code require accurate rolls while protecting eligible voters. The County Judge should support voter roll maintenance that follows Secretary of State guidance, publish clear explanations of the process, and ensure all reviews include safeguards so eligible voters are not improperly removed and confidence is built through transparency.Transparency essential for public trust: Periods involving lawsuits, boundary disputes, election challenges, or compliance reviews weaken public trust if county communication is inconsistent or limited, and Commissioners Courts statewide face criticism when legal issues are not explained in plain language. Texas' Open Meetings law requires public deliberation of many legal and policy topics, but approaches do vary widely. The County Judge should report regularly on litigation and compliance reviews in open court, publish summaries of emerging risks with County Attorney input, and hold scheduled community briefings so residents understand what issues exist and how the county plans to address them.Community SupportDenton County needs a modern community support system that strengthens food security, expands shelter capacity, and builds real pathways out of homelessness. The county should partner directly with Tarrant Area Food Bank North, local shelters, mental health providers, and transportation agencies so families and vulnerable residents can reliably reach the services they need. Data driven planning and shared outcome tracking ensure resources flow to the neighborhoods and programs with the highest documented need. By expanding evidence based jail programs and improving reentry coordination, Denton County can reduce recidivism and build a safer, more stable community for everyone.Food InsecurityStrengthen partnerships with food banks: The USDA Household Food Security reports and Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap show Texas has among the highest food insecurity rates in the country and Denton County residents rely heavily on the Tarrant Area Food Bank North network for support. Denton County should meet regularly with Tarrant Area Food Bank North and partner pantries so county planning reflects documented regional needs, as recommended by Feeding America coordination guidelines and USDA community partnership models.Expand emergency food distribution capacity: News reports from outlets such as the Texas Tribune have documented that families in North Texas have experienced delays or interruptions in SNAP benefits due to administrative changes, which increases demand on local food distribution systems. Denton County should support expanded mobile distribution routes with Tarrant Area Food Bank North and offer county facilities as high volume distribution points during peak demand, following FEMA and USDA emergency feeding guidance.Connect families to nutrition assistance programs: Feeding Texas' and Texas Health and Human Services' SNAP participation analyses find that many eligible households do not enroll because of confusion, stigma, or misinformation. Denton County should distribute clear enrollment information through county websites, offices, libraries, schools, and partner agencies and to refer residents to nonprofits like Tarrant Area Food Bank North that provide application assistance consistent with USDA outreach best practices.Use data for targeted resource planning: Food deserts and low access zones cannot be effectively addressed without detailed geographic data and USDA Food Access Research Atlas data identifies tract level gaps in access. Denton County should integrate USDA mapping tools and Feeding America's need indicators with Denton County program planning so new pantry placements and mobile routes serve neighborhoods with the highest documented need.Coordinate feeding networks during disasters: Disasters disrupt food access for vulnerable residents and FEMA's National Response Framework identifies feeding operations as an essential support function that must be pre planned. Denton County should add Tarrant Area Food Bank North and local pantry networks to written emergency operations plans so feeding operations can mobilize quickly during outages, evacuations, or severe weather events, consistent with FEMA Emergency Support Function 6 guidance.HomelessnessStrengthen partnerships with shelters: The Denton Community Shelter, operated by Our Daily Bread, is the only 24-hour, low-barrier shelter in Denton County, and local reporting from Denton Record Chronicle confirms that demand routinely exceeds available beds, particularly during extreme weather. Denton County should treat low-barrier shelters as essential infrastructure by aligning county funding, facilities support, and emergency planning with the operational needs identified by the shelter and by service capacity data from the Texas Homeless Network.Support coordinated entry systems: The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Texas Homeless Network both document that people experiencing homelessness face fragmented assistance when counties and cities fail to participate fully in coordinated entry systems, which slows rehousing and increases repeat shelter stays. Denton County should fully integrate with coordinated entry practices and support Denton's Housing Focused Shelter model so residents transition more efficiently from emergency shelter into stable housing, consistent with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's evidence based rapid rehousing guidance.Expand mental health service access: Statewide behavioral health analyses and Texas Homeless Network studies show mental illness and substance use disorders are major contributors to homelessness, and Denton County service providers report the same patterns in local outreach and shelter populations. Denton County should connect shelter funding with mental health and substance use treatment providers, including those aligned with North Texas Behavioral Health Authority guidance, so residents receive clinical support instead of relying on repeated emergency department visits.Improve transportation to services: People experiencing homelessness often cannot reach shelters, medical care, or service hubs, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's rural homelessness reports show transportation barriers are one of the main drivers of unsheltered homelessness in growing counties like Denton. Denton County should partner with Span (the nonprofit rural transportation provider that serves Denton County) and the Denton County Transportation Authority to create service routes, ride vouchers, and predictable schedules so residents across rural and suburban areas can reach shelters and providers consistently.Track outcomes with shared data: The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has repeatedly found counties cannot measure progress without shared data on housing stability, recidivism, and service utilization, which leaves funding decisions disconnected from actual outcomes. Denton County should support safe, privacy compliant data sharing between shelters, outreach teams, and county agencies using the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care standards so investments follow measurable results and the county can identify which interventions reduce homelessness effectively.Jail RehabilitationExpand evidence based jail programs: When people in county custody do not receive education or vocational training, recidivism increases, and research from the Research And Development Corporation (a nonpartisan research organization that produces large scale studies) shows correctional education reduces reoffending by forty three percent. Denton County should expand these evidence based programs and report outcomes so residents can see measurable improvement, consistent with the Research And Development Corporation (a nonpartisan research organization that produces large scale studies) and Bureau of Justice Assistance findings.Strengthen reentry planning services: People leaving jail face higher risks of homelessness and reoffending, which studies from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition have documented across the state. Denton County should begin reentry planning inside the jail and continue it after release with county supported service providers who specialize in housing, employment, and behavioral health.Improve collaboration with state facilities: Denton County residents released from state custody often return without coordinated reentry support, which weakens local safety and stability according to evaluations from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Denton County should coordinate directly with state institutions so returning residents have continuity of treatment, employment connections, and education services.Increase transparency in budgeting: County budgets are difficult for residents to understand even though the Commissioners Court controls spending for jails, roads, elections, and public safety. Best practice guidance from the Government Finance Officers Association shows that transparent summaries improve public trust. Denton County should publish plain-language budget summaries, program performance reports, and year-over-year comparisons so taxpayers can see how funds are used.Apply Marine leadership to operations: The Denton County Judge must manage emergency operations, budgeting, litigation exposure, and interagency coordination, which can overwhelm leaders without administrative experience. The County Judge should apply disciplined organizational leadership while aligning operations with documented best practices provided by the Texas Association of Counties.Elections & VotingDenton County will strengthen election access by aligning precincts with real population patterns, expanding rural sites, and updating polling locations in fast growing areas. The county will protect nonpartisan election staff, publish clear testing and audit information, and standardize procedures so every polling place follows the same rules. Voters will benefit from year round education, clear identification guidance, expanded language resources, and strong accessibility standards for disabled residents. All precinct, polling, and administrative decisions will follow Texas Election Code requirements and be explained publicly to maintain transparency and trust.Election Access and Precinct DesignPopulation aligned precincts: Denton County's May election showed that about 10% of voters arrived at incorrect polling places, according to county data which indicates a mismatch between precinct boundaries and actual residential patterns. Texas Election Code Chapter 42 requires precincts to be compact, contiguous, and served by an in-precinct polling site under the authority of the Commissioners Court. The Denton County Judge should perform routine boundary reviews that use updated census and housing data so precincts reflect current population distribution and comply with Texas Election Code Sections 42.001 to 42.032 and Secretary of State guidance.Shorter wait times: High-growth precincts create long wait times and redirect spikes which election administrators across Texas have reported in studies cited by the Texas Tribune. These conditions strain the requirements for reasonable access under Texas Election Code Sections 43.001 and 43.031. The Denton County Judge should monitor turnout, redirect counts, and queue length data before every major election and to rebalance or divide precincts when they approach capacity thresholds recommended by state election officials which improves access while maintaining Election Code compliance.Updated growth area sites: Population increases in Frisco, Little Elm, Prosper, and northern Denton outpace existing polling places according to United States Census Bureau estimates and local planning reports which produces congestion and outdated site assignments. Texas Election Code Section 43.031 allows counties to use public buildings but they must match current population distribution. Denton County should incorporate updated demographic and land use data into site selection and to place polling locations in new schools, libraries, and civic buildings that reflect real growth patterns.Rural access improvement: Rural voters often face long travel distances to polling locations because suitable civic buildings are spread out which the Texas Association of Counties has identified as a recurring barrier. Texas Election Code Section 43.123 advises counties to consider building availability to avoid unreasonable travel burdens. Denton County should expand partnerships with rural schools, churches, fire stations, and libraries so residents outside dense areas have polling locations that preserve equal access.Clear legal compliance: Residents often misunderstand who controls precinct design and polling place selection which can turn required Election Code updates into political disputes. Texas Secretary of State guidance states that the Commissioners Court divides precincts and that each precinct must have a polling place under Texas Election Code Sections 42.002 and 43.001. Denton County should publicly link each precinct adjustment and polling location decision to written statutory requirements so residents see that changes follow state law and documented best practices.Non-partisan Election AdministrationProtect election staff: Texas election workers have reported harassment and pressure according to the University of Texas Election Security Project and the United States Election Assistance Commission which affects Denton County employees responsible for following Texas Election Code Chapters 31 and 66. The Denton County Judge should affirm publicly that staff work as nonpartisan professionals bound to state law and Secretary of State advisories and to support them in Commissioners Court when they apply these rules so professional independence is preserved.Transparent public processes: Many voters do not understand ballot storage, chain of custody, tabulation, or canvassing which research by the MIT Election Data and Science Lab shows creates opportunities for misinformation. Denton County should publish simplified explanations, diagrams, and short videos showing how Denton County implements these steps using Secretary of State training materials and procedures outlined in Election Code Chapters 65 and 67 so residents clearly see how the process functions from start to finish.Publish tests and audits: Logic and accuracy testing and post election audits often occur with little public visibility even though they are legally required under Texas Election Code Chapter 129 and SB 1 which leads some residents to question whether checks happen at all. Denton County should post schedules, summaries, and results of tests, reconciliation reports, and audits on the county website and to present them in Commissioners Court so required verification steps are clearly documented and accessible.Standard county procedures: Poll worker training is sometimes inconsistent across sites which national groups such as the Election Center and the National Association of Election Officials identify as a cause of uneven rule application. Denton County should adopt a single Denton County standard manual, polling checklist, and required training curriculum based on the Secretary of State model handbook so all workers apply the same rules and all voters receive equal treatment.No political interference: Election researchers at Rice University's Baker Institute document that political interference in election operations increases errors and public distrust. Since Texas Election Code Chapters 31 and 32 assign operational authority to administrators and presiding judges, elected officials directing processes can cause confusion and violate best practice. Denton County should create a county policy that requires elected officials to raise concerns only through public Commissioners Court sessions where Election Code and Secretary of State guidance can be referenced directly.Voter Education and AccessibilityYear round voter outreach: Many residents do not see precinct maps or election timelines even though they are posted online which weakens turnout according to the Texas Secretary of State Election Division and the National Civic League. Denton County should create and advertise a year-round outreach program through the VoteDenton website, county social media, and community meetings that reinforces election dates, precinct lookup tools, and responsibilities of county offices.School and college partnerships: Younger voters and families interact more frequently with school districts and colleges than with county government which research from the Texas Association of School Boards and the Campus Vote Project identifies as an opportunity for civic communication. Denton County should create formal partnerships that distribute county-verified election information through these institutions so students and families receive accurate resources in familiar channels.Clear identification guidance: Texas voter identification rules remain confusing for many residents which the Brennan Center for Justice and Texas Secretary of State Photo ID guidance note can suppress turnout. Denton County should publish consistent and easy identification