Former district judge Amber Givens scored a major upset in the Democratic primary for Dallas County district attorney, defeating incumbent John Creuzot despite recent sanctions and ongoing controversy surrounding her time on the bench.
With no Republican candidate running in the race, Givens is now widely expected to become the next district attorney in one of Texas’ largest counties after winning Tuesday’s primary by a 54–46 margin.
The result comes just days after Givens appeared before the Texas Supreme Court to challenge sanctions imposed over allegations of judicial misconduct during her tenure on the bench.
A Surprising Primary Upset
Creuzot, who first won the office in 2018 during a wave of reform-oriented prosecutor campaigns nationwide, had been seeking a third term. He entered the race with strong institutional support, including endorsements from members of the Dallas County Commissioners Court, the Dallas City Council, and the editorial board of The Dallas Morning News.
He also significantly outraised his challenger, collecting more than $400,000 in campaign funds, compared to roughly $20,000 raised by Givens.
Despite the financial gap and establishment backing for Creuzot, voters ultimately delivered the victory to Givens.
In a statement after conceding, Creuzot acknowledged the defeat while highlighting his administration’s work.
“While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, I am proud of the work my team accomplished and the important conversations we advanced about justice, accountability, and public safety in Dallas County,” he said.
Election Day Confusion
The primary also unfolded amid confusion at several polling locations.
Dallas County voters were adjusting to a new precinct-based voting system, which led to uncertainty about where ballots could be cast. A court order temporarily extended Democratic voting hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but that order was later stayed by the Texas Supreme Court, leaving questions about whether ballots cast during the extension would ultimately count.
Controversial Judicial Record
Givens’ campaign was overshadowed by disciplinary action taken against her last year by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
In June, the commission issued a public reprimand, accusing Givens of allowing a staff member to impersonate her during a 2021 bond hearing and of mistreating attorneys in her courtroom. The commission also admonished her for participating in cases after recusing herself, which reportedly resulted in one individual being arrested and another jailed.
The commission’s chair said the conduct was inconsistent with judicial responsibilities and “cast public discredit upon the judiciary.”
Givens has denied wrongdoing and described the sanctions and complaints as politically motivated, and she is currently appealing them.
During her time as judge of the 282nd District Court, prosecutors and defense attorneys filed an unusually high number of requests asking that she recuse herself from cases, alleging she lacked impartiality and treated lawyers unfairly.
Mixed Reaction From Legal Community
Some members of the local legal community expressed concern about the outcome.
Defense attorney Amanda Branan, who was involved in complaints filed against Givens, told the Texas Observer that the result was an “absolute upset,” questioning her approach to the bench.
Douglas Huff, president of the Dallas Criminal Defense Board, also voiced apprehension about the future of the district attorney’s office.
“I personally think we’re looking at some very dangerous days ahead,” Huff said.
A Campaign Built on Reform
Despite the criticism, Givens framed her candidacy as an effort to reform the district attorney’s office and reduce political influence in prosecutorial decisions.
“When politics tried to break me, purpose built me,” she wrote in a Facebook post announcing her campaign in December.
Givens previously worked as a defense attorney, assistant district attorney, and county judge before becoming part of a historic 2014 wave of women of color elected to judicial positions in Dallas County.
With the primary victory now secured, attention is turning to how she will lead the prosecutor’s office — and whether her administration will bring major changes to staffing and policies within the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
