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Colorado County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace incumbent candidate Donald J. Clark and write-in candidate Will Schneider participated in a moderated question-and-answer forum, Thursday, Oct. 1, at Nesbitt Memorial Library.
Clark ran unopposed in the March primary election for the Republican candidacy but is being contested by write-ins Schneider and Bennie Zajicek. As write-ins, Schneider and Zajicek will not appear as listed options on the ballot.
Clark was suspended by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct July 2 after being indicted on charges of official oppression, false report to a peace officer and false report to induce an emergency response relating to an incident in February. The forum was Clark’s first time speaking about his case during a public event.
Zajicek was originally announced to participate but withdrew. “I will continue to run on my platform of experience, integrity and hometown values, and I will keep speaking personally with the people of Precinct 3,” Zajicek wrote in a Facebook post. “However, I will not attend this forum, which I believe is biased, and not formulated by the Republican party.”
Chris Christensen moderated the forum which welcomed questions from the audience.
In his opening statements, Schneider said the forum was originally presented as being from the Colorado County Republican Party with a neutral moderator but changed a day or so prior, leaving him with questions.
The Colorado County Republican Party announced another forum for the candidates scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at Bernardo Fire Station, 2845 Farm-to-Market 949, in Cat Spring.
Zajicek and Schneider have confirmed their attendance, but Clark’s attendance is not yet confirmed.
The Citizen has compiled and summarized Clark and Schneider’s answers to questions in the forum below.
OPENING STATEMENTS
SCHNEIDER: Schneider is a life-long resident of the community, husband, father, small business owner, and decades-long volunteer fire fighter. “As a firefighter, I have met many families on some of the worst days of their lives. I’ve learned that some of the first things a person needs is somebody to listen, remain calm and treat them with dignity and respect.” Schneider said those qualities, his interest in the law and judicial system and temperament make him suitable for justice of the peace. He said a justice of the peace needs to be available, and added his business is located minutes away from the JP office. Schneider recognized his lack of knowledge and training, but urged residents to look at his character, his service, and his intentions for the position.
CLARK: Clark is the elected justice of the peace but is currently suspended because of charges from a February 2026 incident. He is a retired federal agent with 28 years in the secret service. He moved to the area eight years ago and has since been involved in Crime Stoppers, Lions Club, Freemasons and the Frelsburg Volunteer Fire Department. “As your judge for the last three and a half years, I’ve done nothing except help you,” he stated. Clark mentioned a court case requiring him to evict someone, and said he later paid the individual’s rent. He referenced other instances of financially supporting community members. “I have nothing to hide, nothing, so you can ask me whatever you want.”
WHY SHOULD PRECINCT 3 RESIDENTS VOTE FOR YOU?
SCHNEIDER: Schneider reiterated some of his opening statements about his background and care for the community. Schneider said he gets nothing from helping the Colorado County Fair, Columbus FFA or the Little League. “I continue these services because in my heart, that’s who I am, and it would be a hole if I stopped that.” Schneider said he wants to “bring professionalism and stability” back to the JP office.
CLARK: “I beat Will and I beat Benjamin in the last election. For the three and a half years, I never received one complaint from anybody.” Clark reiterated his record of helping others. “I know there’s people in here who don’t like me, but you know what, deep down, I’d help that person if they needed something.” He said he cares about and loves the community and people here.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT TASK?
CLARK: “I see it as keeping our community safe. I am very big into domestic violence. I am very big into mental health.” Clark mentioned his son who committed suicide and the loss of his wife to cancer the year after. “I want to keep survivors safe.” Clark said.
SCHNEIDER: “At this point, as a justice of the peace candidate, I think my most important task on day one would be to bring trust and stability back to the justice of the peace Precinct 3 office… It’s a large task.”
HOW DO YOU ENSURE WOMEN AND CHILDREN FEEL SAFE APPROACHING YOU AS A MAN WITH POWER AND LEGAL AUTHORITY?
SCHNEIDER: “A big part of this job is your morals and your moral compass. I can learn the law, but your integrity and your morals and how you treat people is something you have to bring with you, in my case, from childhood.” Schneider said he doesn’t discriminate based on anything and will follow the law. “I don’t want to go out and ruin children’s lives for small traffic infractions.” Schneider said a large part of the job is how he would treat other people, which would be with respect.
CLARK: “When you walk into my office, you are always treated fairly.” Clark agreed with Schneider on children. “Just because one person fails, and this child falls, it’s how that child gets up and who’s for it.” He said he wants children and families to choose the good path.
CLARK’S SUSPENDED STATUS
Clark acknowledged that if he would later not be allowed to serve, then he would step down. He added that the state has pushed back his hearing a couple of times. Clark said he has a pretrial hearing set for Oct. 28, and a decision wouldn’t be made for likely another five to six months.
Rodney Meyer is currently serving as a temporary appointed justice in Clark’s stead but is running unopposed for the Precinct 1 justice of the peace position. If Meyer is elected, he will assume his duties Jan. 1, 2027, leaving a vacancy in Precinct 3. The other three justices of the peace would have to cover Precinct 3 cases, or the Colorado County Commissioners’ Court would have to appoint a new temporary justice. Clark said the other justices would cover his duties. “We take care of one another.”
Justices of the peace serve four-year terms. The next election for Precinct 3 justice of the peace would be in 2030.
A forum attendee asked Clark how he would restore public trust if acquitted. Clark responded, “My record right now speaks for itself…I’ve helped numerous people get into drug rehab, alcohol rehab, domestic violence, metal health.”
If found guilty, Clark is not legally required to pay back his salary provided to him during his suspension. Clark said this is protocol from the state commission and would not return the pay. Clark said he “doesn’t know” if he “feels guilty for taking taxpayers’ dollars while he can’t perform his job,” adding that he is still helping citizens.
Reporter’s Note: An omitted question asked the candidates for their perspective on red flag laws, which are civil court orders allowing the temporary, not permanent, seizure and prohibition of firearms and other dangerous weapons from a person who is believed to present a danger. The Texas Legislature banned red flag laws in June 2025.
