The 171st District Court in El Paso handles significant felony criminal cases and various civil matters, including contract disputes, property issues, and other complex civil lawsuits. District court judges serve four-year terms and are paid a starting salary of $193,000 a year. 

Who’s running for this seat?

Alex Cuellar

Alex Cuellar, 42, is an attorney and El Paso ISD board member

Amanda Enriquez

Amanda Enriquez, 41, is a senior division chief at the District Attorney’s Office

Candidate Questionnaires

Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been edited to fit the word count and for grammar.

Why are you the best candidate in the race?

Alex Cuellar: As a current school board trustee for EPISD, I know exactly what it takes to run a campaign, be elected, and represent a constituency who elected me and trusts me to make sound, reasonable decisions on their behalf. As a school board member, I am entrusted with the responsibilities and duties to help oversee 48,000 students, 8,000 faculty and staff, and manage a budget of almost $600 million. When elected as Judge of the 171st District Court, I will ensure justice is provided on a daily basis and no person is above the law. Integrity first. 

Amanda Enriquez: I bring a rare combination of leadership, courtroom experience, and perspective to this race. I have tried approximately 80 jury trials, many involving serious and violent offenses, and have handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder. I have served on both sides of the courtroom, as a senior prosecutor and as a trial team chief in the Public Defender’s Office. I currently serve as Senior Division Chief overseeing the Misdemeanor Division and as Chief of the Vehicular Homicide Unit for the District Attorney’s Office. I am known for being prepared, fair and ethical.

What would be your top priority if you are elected to this position and how would you ensure your goal is met?

Alex Cuellar: My top priority is to be in chambers and on the bench every day for all members of the legal community, law enforcement and all of El Paso County. Cases will be heard, respective parties will have their day in court, and every person will be treated with respect, dignity and equality. I will serve with integrity, excellence, and service above self. Over the last almost 30 years, these bedrocks to justice have been lacking in the 171st District Court and these are all principles that will be implemented on day one of my being sworn into office for the 171st District Court. 

Amanda Enriquez: My top priority would be effective docket management so both civil and criminal cases are heard fairly and without unnecessary delay. In civil cases, that means clear scheduling orders, predictable deadlines and consistent rulings so parties can resolve disputes efficiently. In criminal cases, it means safeguarding due process while ensuring cases move forward in a timely manner. Across the docket, my goal would be a courtroom that is prepared, organized and accessible, where litigants are treated with dignity and rules are applied even-handedly.

As an attorney, how many cases have you tried in court?

Alex Cuellar: I have tried nearly 100 cases in court, whether bench trials or jury trials; however, the vast majority are jury trials. I have handled probably more than 5,000 cases throughout my career. 

Amanda Enriquez: Approximately 80 jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder.

How would you manage your docket efficiently while also respecting the rights of parties in your courtroom?

Alex Cuellar: All parties will be held accountable for being ready for their cases. I would manage the docket efficiently by setting clear schedules, enforcing deadlines consistently, and preparing thoroughly for each case. I would remain flexible when fairness requires it, such as granting reasonable continuances or ensuring parties have adequate time to be heard. I believe a judge must also be accountable and accessible, which means explaining rulings clearly, maintaining professionalism and transparency in the courtroom, and ensuring that all parties feel heard and respected.

Amanda Enriquez: Efficient docket management starts with preparation and consistency. I would set clear scheduling orders, hold meaningful status conferences, and issue timely rulings so cases do not stall unnecessarily. At the same time, efficiency cannot come at the expense of fairness. I would ensure all parties have notice, a meaningful opportunity to be heard, and reasonable time to prepare. By being prepared, accessible, and even-handed, a court can move cases forward while fully protecting due process and the rights of everyone who appears before it.

Why are you running as a Democrat and what beliefs and values do you hold that are key to serving as a judge?

Alex Cuellar: I am running as a Democratic because I believe the law should serve the people equally and protect both individual rights and the collective good. A democratic judge plays a crucial role in upholding fairness, accountability and trust in the legal system. I am motivated by the responsibility to interpret and apply the law impartially, while remaining mindful of its impact on real lives and communities.

Amanda Enriquez: I am running as a Democrat because my values are rooted in fairness, due process, and respect for human dignity — values that matter deeply in a community like El Paso. Our courts serve a diverse population, including working families, immigrants, veterans and small business owners, and the decisions made in a courtroom can have lasting consequences for people’s lives and liberties. I believe judges must exercise that power carefully, independently and without bias.

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