Art Clayton is running for JUDGE of the 397th District Court of Grayson County, Texas.  Art is asking that you VOTE for him in the MARCH 2026 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION. Art is a lifelong Republican. 

 

Art has dedicated his adult life to public service. Art attended Austin College where he studied political science, played football for the ROOS, participated in student government, was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and attended Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church. Following college, Art worked for the Small Business Administration on disaster relief for Houston area Texans suffering from flood damage.  Art attended Texas Wesleyan University Law School where he met his wife of 26 years, Elizabeth.  

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Following graduation, they resided in Fort Worth.  Art worked at a civil litigation firm located in Dallas County.  In September of 1999, Art began working at the County Attorney’s Office in Cleburne, Texas.  Art spent a little over three years working on juvenile cases, adult criminal cases and civil matters for Johnson County. 

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In January 2003, Art started work at the DA’s office in Fort Worth. Art represented the State of Texas and its citizens for nearly twenty years in Tarrant County.  He was assigned to the Gang & Homicide Unit where he prosecuted the most violent offenders in our criminal justice system. He worked as Chief Prosecutor for the Domestic Violence Unit and in the courtrooms of Tarrant County.  He has prosecuted thousands of criminals and tried hundreds of cases, including 20 homicides and 5 capital murders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In 2023, Art returned to Grayson County working as the civil attorney for our county. In that role, he advised our elected officials and all political subdivisions. He also represented Grayson County in contracts, development matters, human resource issues, and sought treatment for the mentally ill.  

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Art also began his work with the Grayson County Republican Party when he was elected to serve as a Precinct Chair, and later named Chairman of the Election Integrity Committee. Art assisted in drafting SB412, a Senate bill that closed loopholes in the Texas Penal Code relating to the exposure of pornography to children.

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In 2025, Art transferred to the Criminal Division of the DA’s office where he rolled up his sleeves and got to work prosecuting homicide cases and child molesters.  In doing so, he has brought justice to the most vulnerable victims of our community.

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​​​Art’s has been recognized throughout his career for exemplary service to his community.  He was highlighted in The Texas Prosecutor Journal for his capital murder prosecution of Robert Charles Atlas, who killed his fiancé and her unborn child.  The facts of the crime and its prosecution were later turned into a movie.  Art has tried many other high profile cases.

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Art was the 2012 keynote speaker for the Texas Gang Investigator Association’s Annual Meeting where his prosecution of gang members in Tarrant County was presented to police officers and law enforcement officials throughout the State of Texas. ​​

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The Texas District & County Attorney Association selected Art to be a faculty member teaching prosecutors how to do their job.  Art took a similar role at the Tarrant County DA’s office working in the Continuing Legal Education Program, teaching trial tactics and ethics. 

 

In 2025, Art was named the Prosecutor of the Year for his work for YOU, Grayson County. This fall, he will teach a statewide course for the State Bar of Texas on the topics of family violence, ethics, and jury selection.

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Art has conducted over 100 community talks to students, civic groups and organizations on the topics of gang violence, domestic violence, internet safety, trial presentation, crime prevention, expert testimony and prosecution of sexual assault cases.

 

 

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Art and his wife Elizabeth have been married since 1999. Elizabeth is the Coordinator of Career & Technical Education for the Sherman ISD.  They have two children. Their daughter attended Austin College and currently works as a registered nurse. Their son is a political science major at Austin College who currently plays football for the Roos.  Art is ordained as an Elder for the Presbyterian Church USA. He and his wife have served their church community as Sunday school teachers for children and adults. Art volunteered as a little league coach for multiple boys and girls teams through the YMCA.  Art also served as a Scout Leader in Pack 432 in Fort Worth, Texas.    

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​“I HAVE PROSECUTED THE MOST VIOLENT AND DEPRAVED CRIMINALS IN MY COMMUNITY. I HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO HANDLE THE MOST COMPLICATED CASES EXISTING IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. I HAVE FOUGHT TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS IN THE COURT ROOM. I HAVE HEARD THE CALL OF CRIME VICTIMS, AND CHAMPIONED THEIR CRY FOR JUSTICE FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. I HAVE STRIVEN TO GIVE OUR YOUTH THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, AND CIVIC TOOLS THEY NEED TO KEEP TEXAS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY. I HAVE THE WORK ETHIC AND STRENGTH OF CHARACTER TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH YOUR VOTE GRAYSON COUNTY.”

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