Carlo Rodriguez Key is seeking a third term in County Court at Law No. 14. He received his law degree from Baylor University, and previously worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. He faces one Democratic primary challenger in 2026.
Hear from the candidate
1. Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m 51 years old and have been married to my wife for more than 24 years. We have two sons — one is a sophomore in Northside ISD and the other is a sophomore at Texas A&M University. Being a Dad is one of the greatest joys of my life.
San Antonio has been home to me for 24 years. I moved here to start my career as a Criminal Assistant District Attorney right out of law school, and this city has given me the opportunity to serve in ways I never imagined.
Our family spends a lot of time supporting our kids and their schools. Both of our sons have been active in band, and my wife and I are often found at practices, performances and school events.
Outside of work, I’ve been proud to serve on the San Antonio River Foundation, helping improve and protect our river through art, parks and walkways. One of my proudest moments was being part of an effort to bring Confluence Park to life — a place that belongs to everyone in our community.
2. Describe your educational background.
I attended Texas A&M University in College Station where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. After graduating from A&M, I received my Juris Doctorate from Baylor Law School in Waco.
3. Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and noteworthy accomplishments.
I bring 23 years of experience in criminal law, having served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have had the honor of serving as a County Court at Law Judge for almost 12 years. This experience gives me a well-rounded perspective of the justice system from both sides of the courtroom and from the bench. It has shaped my commitment to fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law in every case that comes before me.
As a prosecutor, I am proud to have achieved a trial conviction rate of over 95 percent. As a judge, I have worked every day to apply the law fairly, thoughtfully and consistently. I am especially proud that none of my judicial rulings have ever been overturned on appeal in my career.
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?
Philosophically, I believe accountability and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive goals. The first obligation of the justice system is to the victim, which is why I prioritize restitution and attempt to ensure that victims are made whole before fines or court costs are collected.
At the same time, justice is best served when courts address the underlying causes of low-level criminal behavior. In misdemeanor cases, jail should be the last resort, not a default response. For defendants who do not pose a danger to the community, structured probation paired with counseling, treatment and appropriate monitoring often provides a more affective lasting outcome.
This approach holds individuals accountable while giving them a productive path forward, reducing recidivism and strengthening community safety.
5. Why are you seeking this office, and why did you decide to be a candidate in the political party you chose?
I am running to continue the work I have done on this bench for the past 8 years – applying the law fairly, efficiently and with respect for public safety and individual rights. I do not feel that politics and the work of our judiciary should be intertwined, however personally, I feel that moving our communities and society forward requires us to focus on education and the needs of our families.
I believe that separation of church and state, enforcing the foundational balance of powers, protecting our freedom of speech, and allowing the people freedom to have control over their own bodies and who they choose to love is fundamental to our pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
