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Collins wins Democratic primary for Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2
Benjamin "Ben" Collins Sr. secures the Democratic nomination for a third term, setting up a November contest against Republican Joe Evans Jr.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Benjamin "Ben" Collins Sr. won the Democratic primary for the Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 seat, securing his party's nomination for a third term. Collins will now face off against Republican Joe Evans Jr. in the November general election.
Why it matters
The Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 seat serves as many residents' first or last encounter with the justice system in Jefferson County, making it an important local election. The winner will be responsible for modernizing court operations, expanding access to services, and handling sensitive matters such as death investigations and bail decisions.
The details
Collins, who has served two terms in the office, campaigned on modernizing court operations and expanding access to services, including implementing e-filing so residents can file cases online. His challenger, Stacey Lewis Jr., a former Beaumont ISD trustee and military veteran, had argued his background made him well-suited for the role and that building public trust would have been a key priority.
- The Democratic primary election was held on March 3, 2026.
- The general election between Collins and Evans will take place in November 2026.
The players
Benjamin "Ben" Collins Sr.
The incumbent Democratic Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2, who won the primary and will face off against the Republican candidate in the November general election.
Stacey Lewis Jr.
The Democratic challenger in the primary election, a former Beaumont ISD trustee and military veteran who argued his background made him well-suited for the role.
Joe Evans Jr.
The Republican candidate who will face off against Collins in the November general election, a former Beaumont ISD trustee and former chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party.
What they’re saying
“More technology to better serve our citizens. We're going to start implementing the E-filing where they can actually file cases online.”
— Benjamin "Ben" Collins Sr., Incumbent Democratic Justice of the Peace
“Our office hours were from seven to four, but just because office closed doesn't mean the job doesn't continue on. We're on.”
— Benjamin "Ben" Collins Sr., Incumbent Democratic Justice of the Peace
“I don't feel comfortable as a citizen if someone just killed somebody in broad daylight and they have a low bond. But also, we can also say that not everybody deserves to get the hammer, but our constituents still need answers to understand the why behind it.”
— Stacey Lewis Jr., Democratic challenger
What’s next
The general election between Collins and Evans will take place in November 2026.
The takeaway
This local election for the Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 seat is an important one, as the winner will be responsible for modernizing court operations, expanding access to services, and handling sensitive matters that impact many residents' interactions with the justice system.
