Meet the candidate: Ben Ivey, 120th District Court judge
Age: 52
Occupation: I serve full time as judge of the 120th District Court.
Please describe your personal and professional background.
I grew up in Tornillo in a fourth-generation El Paso farming family. I graduated from Cathedral High School, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University School of Law.
I began my legal career as an assistant district attorney in El Paso and then spent more than 20 years in private practice as a trial lawyer, primarily in criminal defense. In 2025, I was appointed judge of the 120th District Court.
I have seen the justice system from several sides - as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, private practitioner and now judge. That experience shapes how I run the court: efficiently, decisively and with respect for everyone
who comes through the door.
Describe your political identity.
I am a Republican. That is how I am running for office, but it is not how I decide cases.When I put on the robe, I am a judge. Everyone who comes into the 120th District Court is entitled to the same application of the law regardless of politics, party, occupation or connections.
Questions related to El Paso County 120th District Court judge race
Political leaders are attempting to weaponize the judicial system for their political agendas. How do you plan to keep politics out of your rulings?
I cannot control what politicians say or do. I can control what happens in my courtroom. My job is to decide the case in front of me based on the law and the evidence. I do not ask which political party benefits from a ruling. Politics does not belong in the decision.
Who are your top three campaign donors and will their contributions play any part in your court? Are you willing to recuse yourself if there are any concerns about conflicts of interest?
My top three campaign donors are Paul Malooly, Woody Hunt and Daniela Labinoti. My campaign contributions are publicly reported.
Their contributions play no part in my court. I will recuse when the law requires it and disclose circumstances that should be disclosed. The same rules apply whether someone supported me, opposed me or never contributed at all.
Does your political affiliation play a role in your decisions? Are you willing to break from party lines to uphold the U.S. Constitution?
No. My political affiliation does not determine my rulings. I would not describe following the Constitution as breaking from my party. The Constitution and the law come first. That is the oath.
How do you plan on running your docket to meet the backlog of cases still impacting on the El Paso justice system?
I run a fast, efficient courtroom. As of August 17, the 120th carried 933 pending civil and criminal cases. In July, our clearance rate was 111% on the civil docket and 167% on the felony docket, meaning we disposed of more cases than came in.
Not every motion needs a hearing. I use written submissions when I can fairly decide the issue that way, keep hearings focused when they are necessary, rule promptly and move cases to trial when they are ready.
Efficiency does not mean rushing people. It means respecting their time, giving each side a fair opportunity to be heard and then making a decision.
What do you feel is the biggest challenge in the El Paso justice system right now, and what plans do you have to address it?
Delay is one of the biggest challenges. A case may be one file among hundreds in the courthouse, but to the people involved it may be the most important thing happening in their lives.
My approach is straightforward: manage the docket every day, rule promptly, keep hearings focused, use written submissions when appropriate and set cases for trial when they are ready.Everyone who enters my courtroom is treated with dignity and respect, including criminal defendants. A courtroom can be efficient without losing its humanity.
El Paso judges have increasingly limited local reporter access to courtrooms. As an elected official, what will your policies be on transparency and allowing local reporter access to court proceedings to make sure the public knows what is happening in your courtroom?
My courtroom is open to reporters just as it is open to the public, unless the law requires a proceeding to be closed or information to be protected.
Judges should not be afraid of press coverage, including coverage they may not like. Public confidence in the courts is stronger when people can see what we actually do.
If access is limited, there should be a legal reason for it. "I don't want this reported" is not one.
Learn more about Ben Ivey
Do you plan to continue in your current employment if elected?
If elected, I will continue serving full time as judge.
What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position?
I was an assistant district attorney, ran my own law practice for more than 20 years, tried cases, managed employees and clients, and now run a district court. I have also served on a hospital governing board and on a federal magistrate merit selection panel.
A judge has to listen, make decisions, manage a docket and staff, maintain control of the courtroom and treat everyone with respect. My career prepared me to do those things.
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation.
No.
If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict.
I am not aware of any conflict that would impair my ability to serve. If a matter involves a former client, lawyer, acquaintance or other relationship requiring disclosure or recusal, I follow the law and the rules of judicial conduct.
What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office?
Courts belong to the public. Court proceedings and records should be open unless the law requires otherwise.
I will be accessible, but judges cannot discuss the merits of pending cases outside the courtroom or communicate with only one side. On matters I am permitted to discuss, I have no problem answering questions.
The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Meet the Candidate: Ben Ivey seeks 120th District Judge seat
