Early voting for the May 26 primary runoff election begins today, and Republicans who live on the south side of Canyon Lake will decide whether to keep incumbent Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Tom Clark or add Comal County Magistrate Judge Susan “Susie” Patterson’s name to the Nov. 3 ballot.
The winner faces Democrat Amandine Ngakoue in the general election.
Justices of the peace usually make the news by declaring people dead or officiating at weddings,
In reality, their jobs are a lot more complex.
The elected officials help constituents resolve civil disputes of up to $20,000 in court proceedings that do not require representation by an attorney.
They oversee civil small claims, landlord-tenant and eviction suits. Criminal cases include Class C misdemeanors punishable by up to a $500 fine, such as public intoxication and speeding.
Tom Clark
‘I’ve experienced it all’
Clark, elected to his first term in 2014, did not immediately respond to a request for an interview from MyCanyonLake.com. On his campaign website said he has devoted his entire professional life to the justice system.
He’s served as a state prosecutor, defense attorney, City of New Braunfels associate municipal judge, and Harris County deputy tax assessor-collector. From 2011-25, Clark was an adjunct professor in criminal justice and criminology at Texas State University.
“From prosecution to defense, and from the bench to the classroom, I have experienced it all,” he said.
Responding to questions from the League of Women Voters of the Comal Area, Clark said his priority in office is consistently scheduling hearings in all areas of the law and causes of action where the court has jurisdiction.
“As a party to a case in Justice Court, being heard and having your day in court are among the most-important priorities for which the court must always be conscious,” he said.
To keep things moving, Clark calls multiple dockets — the official court record of all filings, proceedings and events in a specific lawsuit — during each court setting. This alleviates the need for deputy constables and court clerk to “pre-occupy their time in court.”
To “expedite swift justice for all,” he hears two or three dockets in any single court setting.
Susan ‘Susie’ Patterson
‘Twelve years of Tom Clark is enough’
Patterson said it’s time for a change.
“We need someone with a fresh perspective that wants to work hard in that position because I think it’s important for two reasons,” she said. “It’s important to the people because I think they’re (the state legislature) going to increase the amount of the small claims court (to $30,000). And so I think that a lot more people can benefit from the court.”
Patterson was appointed magistrate judge in March 2024 by Judge Bruce Boyer of the 22nd Judicial District.
In her current position she handles initial criminal proceedings by reviewing probable cause for arrests, informing defendants of their rights, setting bail or bonds, issuing emergency protective orders and appointing counsel.
A certified investment officer, she served Comal County treasurer from 2003-2010, worked as Boerne city attorney and municipal prosecutor, prosecuted felony cases in the 216th Judicial District, and served as a special narcotics prosecutor.
This legal background makes her the perfect candidate to help residents resolve their legal woes in without having to hire expensive attorneys or pay filing fees to the county courts-at-law, she said.
Those courts are logjammed. It can take up to a year to bring a case to trial.
Patterson said her role as Precinct 1 justice of the peace would be to successfully resolve as many cases as possible in Justice Court to alleviate crowded dockets and save tax dollars.
“A justice of the peace that’s going to work hard can resolve a lot of things quicker and less expensive to the people of Comal County. So it will save us money all the way around. And you know, I am the top person, I want to get in there and work hard with the other JPs and make this whole thig much more efficient for everybody, so we can take on more cases and save the county a lot more money.
“We’ve seen for 12 years how hard that Tom Clark’s going to work.”
Patterson said she’s also worried about Clark’s 2023 arrest for driving under the influence, to which he pled guilty.
“I mean, this occurred when he was our judge,” she said. “I voted for him, too. It’s one thing if this were going to be the election and his friends that are, you know his old New Braunfels buddies that want to get him into office. That’s one thing. But that’s not the situation we have now. What we have now is a Democrat that’s going to be bringing everything that they can against us in November.”