Hi, I’m Davis and running to be your next Justice of the Peace in West Harris County (Precinct 5, Place 2).
WHY? Because Justice of the Peace (JP) courts are where most everyday legal issues are decided. In our court, 94% of JP court cases involve evictions, debt collection, and traffic offenses. These courts also handle small claims, truancies, and weddings.
JP courts affect housing stability, family finances, and access to justice, so how they operate can have life-changing consequences for thousands of Houstonians each year. That’s why I’m running for justice we can all afford.
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Our communities are facing unprecedented economic challenges, and Justice of the Peace courts should support our most vulnerable residents facing eviction.
Eviction Diversion Programs help keep people in their home, connect residents to rent & utility assistance, facilitate settlements between tenants and their landlords, and make residents feel less alone as they face financial hardships.
Davis has vast nonprofit administration and grantwriting experience, helping secure over $1 million in funding for organizations across Houston over the last 2 years, and will finally bring an Eviction Diversion Program to Pct. 5-2.
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Houston Volunteer Lawyers and the Houston Eviction Advocacy Center are available to provide free legal aid for debt collection and eviction cases, but the Republican incumbent currently prohibits them from fully setting up and intaking new clients in his court.
Davis will not only encourage pro bono legal assistance in Precinct 5-2, but he will also bring a free legal resource center to the court for residents to learn more about how to navigate their case.
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Across Texas, failure to pay fines for Class C misdemeanor traffic offenses can still result in arrest warrants - even when the underlying issue is poverty.
Davis will prioritize lawful alternatives such as payment plans, community service and waivers, because jailing Houstonians for being unable to afford court fines is debilitating to our most vulnerable neighbors (in addition to being unconstitutional).
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14 out of 16 Justice of the Peace courts outsource debt collection to a for-profit company, adding unnecessary fees that trap working families in cycles of debt, even though these contracts are optional and left to a judge’s discretion. Davis will end the use of private debt collectors in Precinct 5-2 and move collections in-house, eliminating predatory fees while keeping the court accountable to the community.
Texas law requires courts to consider a person’s ability to pay and to reduce or waive fines when payment would cause hardship. Davis will also enforce these protections through meaningful ability-to-pay determinations, flexible payment plans, and waivers where appropriate, ensuring debt is handled fairly without punishing people for being poor.
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Forcing residents to be physically present in court raises many financial challenges, such as needing to miss work, find childcare, and arrange for transportation.
Precinct 5 needs to catch up with other Harris County courts by allowing all parties to participate in their case virtually without special permission.
Additionally, over a third of all cases in our court ends in a default (resident not in attendance). Davis plans to reduce that rate by proactively sending text reminders and follow-up calls to remind defendants of upcoming court dates.
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In October 2025, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that they will not sanction judges who refuse to officiate same sex weddings.
As a proud member of Houston’s LGBTQIA+ community, Davis will uphold our right to marry and celebrate this beautiful milestone for all couples.
My Priorities for Our Court
About Me
I am Davis Mendoza Darusman. I grew up in West Harris County (Katy, TX) as the son of immigrants and the first in my family to graduate from college. This is the community where I learned the value of stability, accountability, and fairness, principles that guide my public service.
I’ve been civically engaged since I first registered to vote at 18, when I was elected as a delegate to the 2016 Texas and Democratic National Conventions. Since then, I have remained committed to strengthening public institutions and increasing access to civic participation.
My professional background is in organizational leadership and public policy, with a focus on how courts, nonprofits, and public-facing institutions operate in practice. I am trained in organizational communications and law, values, and policy, and I have spent my career applying that knowledge to improve systems, clarify processes, and support responsible decision-making.
I have worked closely with Houston-area nonprofit organizations in administrative and leadership capacities, helping secure more than $1 million in grant funding and improve capacity, effectiveness, and service delivery. My work has required managing budgets, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring that organizations meet both legal and ethical obligations.
I have helped establish and lead collaborative nonprofit coalitions, bringing organizations together to reduce duplication, share resources, and better serve the public. In parallel, I serve in leadership roles supporting fundraising and long-term sustainability for community institutions.
As an advocate, I have helped my community promote local control in the face of state overreach and attacks on individual liberty.
In addition to my nonprofit work, I am a small business owner. I run Houston Unscripted Productions, an award-winning media and event production company, where I oversee contracts, personnel, operations, and financial management. This experience has reinforced the importance of clear rules, predictable processes, and fair outcomes.
Across my career, I have focused on institutional responsibility, access to information, and the fair administration of systems that affect people’s daily lives. As Justice of the Peace, I will bring that same commitment to ensuring the court operates justly, efficiently, transparently, and with respect for every person who enters it.
Let’s work together!
What People Are Saying
“Davis is a community driven leader that doesn’t wait for change, he makes it! I’ve seen him show up time and time again to support historically excluded groups and vulnerable populations. Davis is a candidate for ALL.”
— Aleja Newman, Senior Political Organizer
“I’m endorsing Davis for Justice of the Peace because I feel like there should be someone who understands and is connected to the real root system of Houston and not looking to advance one’s political career.”
— Atlantis Narcisse, Chief Executive Director of Save Our Sisters United, Inc.
“He’s the right candidate for the right time!”
— Jovon Tyler, Former Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus President
“I believe Davis truly has the best interest of our community at heart and is a proven advocate for the people.”
— Ruben A. Salazar, Community Organizer