Marissa Giovenco, 45, works in criminal defense and family law. She previously worked in the Bexar County Magistrate’s Office, as a prosecutor for Potter and Bexar Counties, and in disaster relief for the Small Business Administration. She is one of two Democrats running to replace Judge Ben Robertson, who is running for a different bench seat in 2026.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Marissa Giovenco. I was not born in Texas, but my family moved here right before I started high school in 1995. I was not born in Texas, but my family moved here right before I started high school in 1995. I have lived in San Antonio since then, only leaving a few times for school and work, and I have been back home in San Antonio full-time since 2014.
I try to stay involved and give back to the community. I am most proud of organizing a 5k run with one other person to benefit the families of the Uvalde victims, which raised over $15,000.
2. Describe your educational background.
I graduated from Judson High School in Converse. I attended undergraduate school in Denton, Texas at the University of North Texas, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2005. I then attended law school in Houston at South Texas College of Law where I graduated with my Juris Doctorate degree in May of 2011 and passed the bar in November 2011.
3. Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
I decided to go to law school after serving on a jury in a murder trial when I was 19 years old. I began my legal career in Amarillo as a prosecutor handling misdemeanor criminal cases. After approximately two and a half years, I returned to San Antonio and joined the Bexar County District Attorney’s office. I started in the misdemeanor division and was shortly promoted to felony, eventually working my way up to first chair prosecutor, the highest position short of division chief.
I primarily worked in the family violence division, handling domestic violence and child abuse cases. I have handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, including dwi, drug cases, assault cases and murders. For the past two and half years, I have practiced as a criminal defense attorney handling both misdemeanors and felonies. I have tried cases to a jury on both sides of the courtroom, as a both prosecutor and defense attorney.
One of my most significant trials was State v. Jose Ruiz, a case involving the torture and death of a child, which received nationwide media coverage. I am proud to have been part of the team to get justice for that innocent child.
4. Philosophically, how do you balance the public’s desire for restitution in all types of crimes, while also providing a productive path forward for offenders who don’t pose a danger to the public?
Balancing accountability with rehabilitation starts by recognizing that justice is not one size fits all. The public is right to expect accountability, restitution, and respect for victims. Those interests must always be taken seriously and addressed directly. At the same time, the court has a responsibility to look at the individual before it and determine what outcome best serves public safety and long-term justice.
When an offender does not pose a danger to the community, accountability can include meaningful restitution, compliance with court-ordered conditions, and participation in programs that address the root causes of the behavior. These outcomes are not leniency; they are structured, supervised responses designed to reduce future harm and promote responsibility. A sentence that holds someone accountable while giving them tools to avoid reoffending ultimately protects the public and conserves judicial resources.
As a judge, my role would be to apply the law fairly, listen carefully to victims, and evaluate each case on its facts. Justice means honoring the harm done while also recognizing when a productive path forward strengthens the community rather than weakens it.
5. Why are you seeking this office, and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I decided to seek this office because I have spent my entire legal career in the courtroom and understand the real impact judicial decisions have on people’s lives. I have represented the State, victims and defendants, and I have seen firsthand how thoughtful, prepared judges set the tone for fairness, efficiency, and trust in the justice system. I believe my experience on both sides of the courtroom gives me the perspective needed to preside fairly and make well-reasoned decisions.
I am running as a democrat because I believe in fairness, equal access to justice, and respect for the rule of law. While Judges must be neutral and apply the law as written, values such as fairness, accountability and respect for due process matter. My party affiliation reflects my belief in a justice system that treats everyone with dignity and ensures decisions are based on facts, law and individual circumstances.
I am seeking this office to serve my community with integrity, balance, and strong work ethic, and to ensure the courtroom remains a place where the law is applied fairly and consistently.
