Kalan Gardner, Sr. at a glance
- Current role
- Justice of the Peace
- Jurisdiction
- Texas · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kalan Gardner, Sr.
Justice of the Peace · Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8
Biography
Professional career
- Judge Kalan Gardner Sr. is the incumbent Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8 in Jefferson County, Texas, serving since October 2024, and is running for re‐election in the 2026 general election
- Appointed October 28, 2024, Gardner serves as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8 in Jefferson County
- For the People.”, stressing justice, community service, and leadership
- Jefferson County TX — Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8
Education
Additional information
- Gardner is a Democratic Party candidate seeking re‐election in the November 3, 2026 general election.
- He won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 67.4% of the vote.
- He held the role of youth pastor at New Hope Baptist Church and became the youngest Senior Pastor of First Sixth Street Missionary Baptist Church in 2016.
- He began preaching in college, delivering his first sermon in 2003, and has studied at United Theological Seminary, Trinity Bible College, Grace School of Theology, and the College of Biblical Studies.
- Born February 6, 1985 in Galveston, Texas, Gardner is the eldest of three children and graduated from Memorial High School in Port Arthur in 2003.
- Focused.
- His campaign platform is summarized as “Fair.
- His judicial work emphasizes fairness, compassion, and integrity, with a focus on community engagement and youth investment, including initiatives like the Judicial Academy and Truancy Court.
- He also founded Restoring Faith Christian Counseling, providing spiritual and emotional support to the Port Arthur community.
- He has publicly thanked volunteers, supporters, and partners for their role in his re‐election victory.
- He is a devoted father to his son, Kalan Gardner Jr., and is active in his community, guided by the principle: “If I can help someone along the way, then my living won’t be in vain”.
- Gardner’s leadership roots are in faith and service.
- As Justice of the Peace, Gardner handles civil cases, small claims, and community matters, while also engaging in outreach and educational programs.
- Gardner’s campaign site
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
In justice-court civil proceedings, the judge may allow or require electronic participation after considering case, evidence, access, and party factors; written notice must include joining and evidence-submission instructions.
A judge may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means.Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
For the specific fine-and-cost hearings governed by Articles 45A.258 and 45A.259, a justice or municipal judge may allow a defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference when an in-person appearance would impose undue hardship.
If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing under Article 45A.258 or 45A.259 would impose an undue hardship on the defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by telephone or videoconference.Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 10, 2026.
Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Office of Court Administration official judicial roster ↗Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 500.9, Appearances at Court Proceedings ↗Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 45A.260, Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference ↗Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8 official directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 11, 2026
View Jefferson County Justice Court, Precinct 8 official directory ↗