Dori Contreras (Democratic Candidate)
Justice Dori Contreras has served on the 13th Court of Appeals since 2003. Previously, she was a personal injury and employment discrimination trial lawyer and owned a mediation service.
Contreras received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1990.
Contreras was named Judge of the Year by the State Bar of Texas Hispanic Issues Section and received the University of Houston Law Center Distinguished Service Award.
Ernie Aliseda (Republican Candidate)
Ernie Aliseda has more than 17 years of judicial experience, is a member of the national law firm Dykema Cox Smith and serves as a municipal court judge for the City of McAllen. He was appointed as judge to the 398th State District Court by Gov. George W. Bush and to the 139th State District Court by Gov. Rick Perry. He is currently a member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents.
Aliseda is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves Judge Advocate General Corps, where he serves as a military judge. He was called to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008 and 2009, serving as chief of federal litigation for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate of the Army XVIII Airborne Corps.
Aliseda received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, completed the 59th U.S. Army Trial Judge’s Course and received a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. He has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1992.
Aliseda is endorsed by TLRPAC, the Texas Civil Justice League PAC, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Hispanic Republicans of Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.