JUSTICE, SERVICE, & DIGNITY FOR ALL EL PASOANS

Meet Bernardo Cruz

Our Community Deserves Experienced Leadership

I am running for judge because I believe a judge is, above all, a public servant-someone who must work tirelessly to uphold justice and apply the law with fairness and integrity. My legal career is grounded in the values of integrity, diligence, honesty, and common sense, values that were instilled in me by my parents. If elected as judge of the 168th Judicial District Court, I will focus on ensuring speedy resolutions for both civil and criminal cases while ensuring everyone appearing before me is treated with dignity and equally under the law. My legal experiences and expertise will allow me to manage this docket with the limited resources available.

Native El Pasoan

Born in El Paso and proud graduate of Cathedral High School and the University of Texas at El Paso, I have deep roots in this community that inspired my desire to serve this community to the best of my ability.

Strong Values

My legal career is grounded in the values of integrity, diligence, honesty, and common sense, values that were instilled in me by my parents. These values allow me to always respect and honor the judicial office as a public trust and strive to enhance and maintain confidence in our legal system.

Legal Expertise

Having practiced as a licensed attorney in the states of Washington and Texas both as a plaintiff and defense attorney in complex litigation, I have a balanced legal career that makes me the best candidate to deal with complex legal issues that may arise on the bench.

Bar Admissions:

Washington State Bar
Texas State Bar
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

MY COMMITMENT

FAIR & IMPARTIAL JUSTICE

SERVICE

A judge is first and foremost a public servant, committed to serving the community with integrity and humility.

FAIRNESS

Everyone who enters the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.

EFFICIENCY

Our community deserves a court that handles cases promptly and effectively, making the best use of limited resources.

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Biography

My name is Bernardo Cruz

I am currently an attorney at the El Paso County Attorney’s office where I am the only affirmative litigation attorney for local government, a role in which I proactively protect the rights of all El Pasoans through litigation, legislative advocacy, and public education.

I was born in El Paso and raised in its sister city, Juarez. After graduating from Cathedral High School, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked as a banker in downtown El Paso for several years before pursuing my true passion - serving the public’s interest through the law. I obtained my law degree from Seattle University School of Law, a Jesuit law school focused on public interest law and service in 2016. Clerking at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica cemented my desire to continue public service through the law.

After graduating from law school, I passed the Washington State Bar and worked at a non-profit plaintiff law firm in Yakima, Washington representing farm workers in complex trial and appellate litigation, class actions, and legislative advocacy focused on civil rights and employment law.

After passing the Texas Bar, I returned to El Paso in 2018 to work for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU of Texas) as an attorney focusing on the constitutional rights of immigrants and border communities. In this role, I developed and litigated state and federal civil rights cases. Beyond the courtroom, I engaged in public education and advocacy strategies, and provided my legal expertise to assist local advocates, community partners, and government officials.

As the only affirmative litigation attorney at the El Paso County Attorney’s office, I focus on identifying the legal needs of the community and identifying what legal tools can be used effectively to address those needs. That work has included protecting the public health and environment of the El Paso community, protecting the civil rights of El Pasoans by preventing racial profiling, and advocating for safer law enforcement procedures.

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IMPORTANT DATES

IMPORTANT PRIMARY ELECTION DATES

First day to apply for Vote By Mail Ballot: January 1, 2026
Voter Registration Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026 (postmark deadline)
First Date of Early Voting: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Last day to Apply for Mail By Ballot: Friday, February 20, 2026 (not a postmark deadline)
Last day of Early Voting: Friday, February 27, 2026
Election Day: March 3, 2026

Support Our Cause

Join me in this important mission to strengthen our courts and serve our neighbors with the dignity they deserve.

You may also mail checks to: P.O. Box 91 El Paso, TX 79941. Please no corporate checks.

Frequency

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Monthly

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