Voters have two strong candidates to consider in the Democratic primary for the 330th District Court, one of seven family courts serving Dallas County.
But longtime family law attorney Tamika Jones is more qualified and should be chosen over her opponent, Dallas attorney Ashlei Gradney. The winner of this contest faces no opposition in the November general election so is expected to assume the bench next January.
The 330th District Court bench is being vacated by Judge Andrea Plumlee, who is running for 5th District Court of Appeals.
Jones, 49, would have a small learning curve if elected. She has been serving as an associate family court judge for more than four years, assisting the district court judges by handling pre-trial motions, issuing temporary orders and presiding over other matters that can bog down their dockets. It’s significant that she was appointed to her role by the judges themselves.
Opinion
Jones has also earned the respect of her peers. In the Dallas Bar Association’s 2025 Judicial Evaluation Poll, 74% of respondents gave her either an “excellent” or “acceptable” rating on overall performance. Notably, she has presided over a specialty court that helps reunite families torn apart by drug addiction.
An attorney for 21 years, Jones is certified in both family law and child welfare law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — distinctions reserved for those who have exceptionally high understanding in those areas.
Gradney, 41, has practiced in several areas of civil law since 2013. In addition to her law degree from Southern Methodist University, she has a Master of Business Administration from Lamar University, making her well qualified to handle complex litigation.
Gradney also has held various leadership roles at the Dallas Bar Association and been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. But she has far less family law experience and less bench experience than her opponent. Voters should select Jones.
This editorial is part of the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board’s slate of recommendations for the 2026 primary. Find the full project here.
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