Voters lining up in to vote on election day Photo: Rob Crandall/Shutterstock.com

Democratic candidate Helen Delgadillo argues she's better qualified for Cameron County's 138th District Court because she's gained the experience and honed the temperament she needs during her years as a public school teacher, lawyer and municipal court judge.

Delgadillo and Gabriel Gabby Garcia are the two Democrats competing in the primary runoff for the 138th District Court of Cameron County. There is no Republican candidate in November, which means the runoff winner will take the bench.

"Consider the path that has led me to running for the 138th District Court," Delgadillo wrote. "Each step along this path has prepared me more and more for this position. I am committed. I am experienced. I am ready."

Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with judicial candidates in primary election runoffs. Early voting is June 29 to July 10, and election day is July 14.

Despite multiple reminders, Garcia did not complete Texas Lawyer's questionnaire.

Here is the Q&A for Delgadillo.

Read more: Texas Voters: Meet the Candidates Running for Judge in July Primary Runoffs

Helen Delgadillo

What is a brief biography of work experience, educational qualifications and career honors that you want voters to know about?

I graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of music. Thereafter, I earned a master's degree in education from Pan American University. My love for teaching and music drove my career as an educator and band director for 17 years. For 15 years, I was a band director, elementary teacher, secondary reading teacher, and elementary and secondary guidance counselor for Los Fresnos County Independent School District. For two years thereafter, I was a guidance counselor for Point Isabel ISD. After 17 years as an educator, I decided to go to law school. There were several reasons influencing my decision, but one of the main reasons was my passion for helping others.

I earned a doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center. I had four children to care for, and, as you can imagine, that did not leave much time outside of the classroom. My goal was to get in and get out so I could start my career as an attorney and support my children. So that is what I did. I graduated in two-and-a-half years, passed the bar exam and returned to Cameron County. I have been practicing law in Cameron County for over 22 years now. My areas of practice have ranged from civil litigation, to family law, to criminal law.

I have also served my community as a municipal judge for nearly 13 years. This is what separates me from my opponent. Being a judge is no easy task, and I know this firsthand. It takes patience, understanding, tolerance, decisiveness, and temperament. Of course, many of these qualities are innate to a certain degree, but we can always improve on anything we do. Personally, I have strengthened these qualities year after year while serving as a judge, and my goal is to keep improving as long as I am on the bench, and I believe that bench will be the 138th District Court.

I am a member of the Cameron County Bar Association and the Texas Municipal Courts Association. I am also a board member of the Laguna Madre Youth Center. I am a member and former regent for Chapter 2569 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, as well as a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

Why do you want this position?

This position combines my desire to serve my community and my resolve for justice. There is no substitute for experience and wisdom, and these two attributes are vital to the position. I believe in myself and I believe that I am the best choice for the 138th District Court.

How are you different or better suited for the bench than your opponent in the election?

I am better suited for the 138th District Court because of the path I have taken to get to this point in my life and my career.

On a professional level, I was an educator for 17 years where I developed patience and effective communication. I have been practicing law in Cameron County for over 22 years, and I have served my community as a judge for nearly 13 years where I gained firsthand knowledge of the challenges of the job.

On a personal level, I am confident in my abilities to properly administer the duties of a district court judge. I have an overwhelming urge to understand even the most nuanced details of the law, often leading to lively debates with two of my children who both practice law in Cameron County. The law is more than a job to me; it is a passion.

To the undecided voter: First, I want to thank you for exercising your right to vote because it is a right that many do not have around the world. When you vote, you share your voice and I commend you for so doing. Second, please consider the path that has led me to running for the 138th District Court. Each step along this path has prepared me more and more for this position. I am committed. I am experienced. I am ready.

How would you go about managing this court's docket efficiently and effectively?

With over 22 years of practicing law, thank you for asking this question because it encompasses the respect I will give to each person and each attorney that comes before me. People simply do not have the luxury of waiting around for hours to be heard. I would schedule anticipated contested matters and time-intensive hearings later than anticipated uncontested matters. I would ensure that cases do not remain stagnant on my docket unnecessarily. I will continue to improve on my methods to ensure that I am doing the best I can to manage the docket efficiently.

Where can voters go for more information about you?