Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates.

1. Who are you and what are you running for?

Ruben Guerrero, running for the 174th Criminal District Court Judge.

2. What kind of cases does this court hear?

This court hears felony criminal cases.

3. Why are you running for this particular bench?

I am running for this court because I am the most qualified candidate over all others who have filed for this bench. I have over 30 years experience in criminal law as a practioner and a judge and I believe that can bring integrity to this bench like no other.

4. What are your qualifications for this job?

I am an experienced jurist, having graduated from the University of Houston and Texas Southern School of Law. As I have said, I have 30 years experience as a lawyer and judge, having previously served as a Criminal District Court Judge for the 263rd Judicial District and as a visiting judge in many other courtrooms around Harris County. I have tried as a lawyer all cases from felony to misdemeanor and have presided as a judge in all such cases as well.

5. Why is this race important?

What makes this race so important is that the existing sitting judge on this bench is retiring, and the seat needs to be filled by an experienced judicial candidate who has demonstrated repeatedly as lawyer and judge that he or she is knowledgeable of the law, accountable to the people, and familiar with the county.

6. Why should people vote for you in the Democratic primary?

In this Democratic primary we need experience and knowledge. I have such and have always been a Democrat, unlike my opponent in the primary, who has run as a Republican before on multiple occasions. I have been tapped twice by Democratic leaders to high-level appointments: In 1992, by Texas Democratic Governor Ann Richards to fill an unexpired term for 263rd Judicial District Court, and by Former Democratic President Bill Clinton as the administrator of the Small Business Administration for the southwestern states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

PREVIOUSLY:

Jim Wrotenbery, candidate for 125th District Court (Civil).

Diane Trautman, candidate for Harris County Tax Assessor.

Judge Susan Criss, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 8.

Joe Jaworski, candidate for State Senate, District 11.

Baltasar D. Cruz, candidate for Texas Supreme Court, Position 7.

State Rep. Garnet Coleman, District 147.

Armando Walle, candidate for State Representative, District 140.

Carol Alvarado, candidate for State Representative, District 145.

Andres Pereira, candidate for 190th District Court (Civil).

Ron Reynolds, candidate for State Representative, District 27.

Sam Houston, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 7.

State Rep. Jessica Farrar, District 148.

Fred Cook, candidate for 215th District Court (Civil).

Adrian Garcia, candidate for Harris County Sheriff.

Steve Kirkland, candidate for 215th District Court (Civil).

David Mincberg, candidate for Harris County Judge.

Kyle Carter, candidate for 125th District Court (Civil).

Dan Grant, candidate for US Congress, District 10.

Bruce Mosier, candidate for 190th District Court (Civil).

Rick Noriega, candidate for US Senate.

Judge Linda Yanez, candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, Position 8.

Larry Joe Doherty, candidate for US Congress, District 10.

Harold Landreneau, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1.

State Rep. Dora Olivo, District 27.

Dexter Handy, candidate for Harris County Commissioners Court, Precinct 3.