L-R Kristi DeCluitt and Thomas West.

The two candidates who are running off for McLennan County's 19th District Court both have some experience on the bench, but they are making a campaign issue about just what that experience is, and when it occurred.

In the Republican runoff election, Kristi DeCluitt and Thomas West are competing for the vote. The winner will take the bench, as there's no Democratic opponent in November.

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

West, a partner in Dunnam & Dunnam in Waco, also works as an appointed associate judge for the city of Hewitt. He argues he's more qualified because he's board certified in criminal law and has 30 years of experience in the area.

"I have tried over 120 jury trials and handled thousands of felony cases while my opponent hasn't tried a felony case in over 14 years," West wrote. "Her judicial experience was as a Justice of the peace which handles traffic tickets, not felony cases. I am the only candidate who is currently a judge and have 32 hours of current judicial training."

But DeCluitt made it a point to highlight that her past experience was full time, unlike West. Now an assistant city attorney for the city of Waco, DeCluitt formerly held office as a McLennan County justice of the peace for eight years.

"As courts in McLennan County are not operating fully due to COVID-19, the trial dockets are growing. The citizens, victims and defendants deserve a judge with the experience to efficiently handle a crowded docket on day one," DeCluitt wrote. "I am the clear choice."

Here are the Q&As for DeCluitt and West.

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

Kristi DeCluitt

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

Kristi DeCluitt Kristi DeCluitt

I was a justice of the peace in the largest precinct in McLennan County for over eight years. I prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors (adult and juvenile) as an assistant criminal district attorney in McLennan County from 2000 to 2006. I am currently an assistant city attorney for the city of Waco. I have also practiced as an assistant city attorney for the city of College Station and a criminal defense attorney in both state and federal courts. I hold a masters of law degree in health law from the University of Houston Law Center and a Juris Doctor, with honor, from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Why do you want this position?

I want to preserve the legacy of the 19th District Court as a fair, efficient, and constitutionally conservative felony court where every victim's rights and every defendant's rights are preserved.

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

As an elected judge for over 8 years, I am the sole candidate with full-time judicial experience in addition to my extensive experience as a felony prosecutor and felony defense attorney. Also, as my voting record shows, I am the unwavering conservative Republican in this race.

As courts in McLennan County are not operating fully due to COVID-19, the trial dockets are growing. The citizens, victims and defendants deserve a judge with the experience to efficiently handle a crowded docket on day one. I am the clear choice for Judge of the 19th District Court, with proven electability and endorsed by the Waco Police Association.

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

I learned when I was JP that no one but the judge can manage her docket effectively, regardless of outside pressures. The judge must keep cases moving forward and only grant multiple continuances or resets in truly extraordinary circumstances. As JP, I was the first court to test the e-Docket system that is now deployed throughout the county's courts.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

- Website: www.kristidecluitt.com - Facebook: KristiDeCluittForJudge - Resume

Thomas West

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

Thomas West Thomas West, Dunnam & Dunnam in Waco

I graduated from the University of Mississippi, cum laude, in 1987. In November 1990, I graduated from Baylor School of Law and immediately began practicing law as a solo practitioner. On May 14, 1991, I began working as an assistant criminal district attorney for McLennan County. At the district attorney's office, I handled a wide range of cases including felonies, misdemeanors, child protective services, protective orders and asset forfeitures. While at the district attorney's office, I advanced to the position of misdemeanor chief. In 2000, I joined the firm of Dunnam & Dunnam in Waco, Texas.

In 2006, I became a partner at Dunnam & Dunnam and still work as a shareholder of the firm today. I currently handle felony and misdemeanor criminal cases at both the state and federal level. In addition to my work as a criminal defense lawyer, I have been the municipal court prosecutor for the city of Lorena since 2001. In 2018, I was appointed associate judge for the city of Hewitt. I have been certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since December 31, 2002. I am a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and have been named as one of the Top 100 National Trial Attorneys since 2015. I have been named a Super Lawyer in 2009 to 2012 and 2016 to 2019. In 2019, I was voted the No. 1 Criminal Lawyer in Waco by the Wacoan magazine (local publication).

Why do you want this position?

It has been a lifelong goal to become a judge in a court that handles criminal cases. I have spent the last 30 years preparing for this position by honing my skills through continuing education courses, earning board certification in criminal law, and participating in 120 jury trials combined as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. I have also attended 32 hours of judicial training as the associate judge of the Hewitt Municipal Court. My experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney provide me with an invaluable perspective which will help me be a better judge to serve the citizens of McLennan County.

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

My love of community and sense of civic duty led me to run for judge of our McLennan County's 19th District Court. This court is responsible for felony criminal prosecutions, which are critical to maintaining the safety and security of our families. There is a serious contrast in qualifications of the candidates on the ballot for the run-off election. I am board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2002 and my opponent is not. I have practiced and specialized in criminal law for 30 years with 10 years as a felony prosecutor. I have tried over 120 jury trials and handled thousands of felony cases while my opponent hasn't tried a felony case in over 14 years. Her judicial experience was as a justice of the peace which handles traffic tickets, not felony cases. I am the only candidate who is currently a judge and have 32 hours of current judicial training. The right experience is the difference in this race.

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

First, I would implement an electronic bench and remove paper from the system. I will hold status conferences to schedule faster resolution of cases pending. I will also have two trials a week on a rotating schedule to help remove the backlog. I will shorten the time between indictment and the first appearance before the court to set a scheduling order.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

- Website: thomaswestforjudge.com - Facebook - Resume