Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We’re dropping in midweek with a closer look at who’s running for Mayor of Justin. Inside, you’ll find a quick, easy-to-read breakdown of how each candidate answered our questions—so you can get a clear sense of their vision, priorities, and leadership style.

Want to dig deeper? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch individual interviews with each candidate, and for full written responses, be sure to check out our website.

📅 Mark your calendars: The Mayoral Debate will be hosted at The Abbey on April 14 at 6:30 PM, with a live stream available for the community.

💬 Have a question you want answered? Submit it ahead of time by completing our form—you might hear it asked during the debate.

Stay informed, Justin

JUSTIN DECIDES: Candidate Spotlight

Name: James Clark
Position: Mayor (Incumbent)
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete questions and answers can be found here

James Clark brings leadership experience shaped by his service in the United States Army, along with professional work in construction, logistics, and business. His time in the military instilled discipline, accountability, and the ability to unite people from very different backgrounds toward a common goal.

He emphasizes thoughtful decision-making and understanding the long-term consequences of leadership choices, both in government and in the private sector.

“I learned early that unity isn’t something you stumble into; it’s something you build.”

Beyond his professional background, Clark says his motivation for serving comes from a deep personal connection to Justin and its character.

“I fell in love with a small town that still feels like America… and felt called to help protect what makes it special.”

Clark recognizes that Justin sits directly in the path of rapid North Texas growth and believes preparation is critical. He supports structured, forward-looking planning to ensure development enhances rather than overwhelms the community.

He points to efforts like the Old Town Overlay and updates to development standards as key tools to preserve the city’s identity while accommodating growth.

“It’s much harder to adopt policies that actually secure [a small-town feel].”

Looking ahead, Clark outlines several major priorities: managing growth, strengthening infrastructure, maintaining public safety, and ensuring long-term financial stability.

He emphasizes the importance of enforcing development standards, investing in roads and utilities, expanding emergency services, and ensuring new growth contributes positively to the city.

“Our actions… will determine whether we grow with intention, or if we get shaped by outside forces.”

Clark defines transparency as open, accessible, and accountable leadership. He highlights efforts to expand public access to city council meetings through streaming and searchable archives.

He believes residents should not only see decisions being made, but also understand the reasoning behind them.

“The city belongs to the people, and the people deserve to see how it is being run.”

He also emphasizes communication, accountability, and maintaining public trust through clear and consistent engagement.

The responses above are paraphrased for clarity and brevity. Full, unedited answers can be found on each candidate’s page. The Justin Journal does not endorse any candidate—we are committed to providing information to help you make an informed decision when the polls open.

JUSTIN DECIDES: Candidate Spotlight

Name: Joe Cokel
Position: Mayor
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete questions and answers can be found here

Joe Cokel brings nearly 20 years of experience as a business owner, along with service in the United States Marine Corps. His background has shaped a leadership style rooted in discipline, accountability, and service to others.

He believes the skills required to run a business—budgeting, planning, zoning, and decision-making—translate directly to managing a growing city like Justin.

“Running a city shares many similarities with running a business… my experience… has prepared me to approach city leadership with practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to serving the residents of Justin.”

Cokel acknowledges that Justin’s growth has accelerated in recent years and expects it to continue. He emphasizes the importance of responsible zoning and intentional development to preserve the city’s identity.

He supports attracting businesses that add long-term value while avoiding oversaturation and maintaining balance for existing local businesses.

“Justin should not become the fast food and gas station capital of Texas.”

Looking ahead, Cokel identifies managing rapid growth and controlling the city budget as top priorities. He expresses concern about the pace of expansion and rising city spending.

He advocates for slowing down, evaluating financial decisions carefully, and ensuring growth is handled in a way that protects residents and maintains affordability.

“My concern is that we may lose our small-town feel before we have a chance to properly manage that growth.”

Cokel defines transparency as making city processes more open and accessible to residents. He supports improving communication through social media updates, public discussions, and increased opportunities for community input.

He believes residents should have a clearer understanding of decisions and a stronger voice in shaping the city’s future.

“Residents deserve to know what their city leadership is planning and why decisions are being made.”

The responses above are paraphrased for clarity and brevity. Full, unedited answers can be found on each candidate’s page. The Justin Journal does not endorse any candidate—we are committed to providing information to help you make an informed decision when the polls open.

Name: Tomas Mendoza
Position: Mayor Candidate (City Council Place 5)
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete questions and answers can be found here

Tomas Mendoza brings nearly two decades of residency in Justin, along with experience serving on City Council and a professional background in project management, business, and finance.

He holds a degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Finance and has led complex projects, coordinated teams, and developed systems to improve efficiency and clarity. His leadership style is also influenced by years of discipline and focus gained through earning multiple black belts in martial arts.

“Leadership in a small city is not about titles. It is about showing up, communicating clearly, and working with people to solve problems.”

Mendoza believes growth is inevitable, but how the city manages it will determine whether Justin keeps its identity. He emphasizes intentional planning, strong communication, and aligning development with community values.

He also highlights the importance of empowering local volunteers and fostering community-driven initiatives, as well as investing in quality-of-life improvements like a connected trail system.

“Justin can grow without losing its small-town identity, but only if we plan intentionally and communicate openly with residents.”

Mendoza identifies infrastructure, public safety, and financial stewardship as top priorities for the next three to five years.

He supports strengthening long-term planning, ensuring police and fire departments have necessary resources, and maintaining responsible budgeting to protect taxpayers. He also emphasizes preparing for major transportation projects and ensuring water capacity meets future demand.

“Justin deserves leadership that is steady, consistent, and focused on the long term. Quick fixes are not enough.”

Mendoza defines transparency as ensuring residents understand the “why, how, and when” behind city decisions. He advocates for open processes, early community involvement, and improved communication tools.

He also stresses the importance of empowering residents and volunteers, rather than limiting community-led efforts.

“I believe in open processes, clear communication, and involving residents early… trust erodes when that doesn’t happen.”

The responses above are paraphrased for clarity and brevity. Full, unedited answers can be found on each candidate’s page. The Justin Journal does not endorse any candidate—we are committed to providing information to help you make an informed decision when the polls open.