The Hays Free Press asked Hays County Sheriff candidates the following questions. Answers are printed below. 

1. What prompted you to seek election/reelection?

Working with the staff of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, I have accomplished many goals in the six years I have been your Sheriff.  While the Sheriff’s Office has evolved, I still have more to do.  I will continue to address the key areas of infrastructure, technology and available resources to ensure the safety of the Citizens of Hays County.  I look forward to serving all of you as your Sheriff for the next four years.

2. What do you bring to the table that your opponent doesn’t? 

As your elected Sheriff of Hays County I can tell you that I am the only qualified candidate for Sheriff.  I have over forty years of law enforcement experience that has led me to be honest, fair and transparent.  I am the only candidate that has experience in operating a jail and I have a proven record of high integrity.  I believe that I have raised the bar at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and if re-elected, I will continue to raise the bar and provide an excellent quality of service that the citizens of Hays County expect and deserve.

3. What are the three biggest issues the HCSO currently faces?

The three biggest issues facing the HCSO are:

Overpopulated and Aging (28-year old) Jail: We are managing inmate population by outsourcing inmates to as many as seven additional county jails as well as funding costly infrastructure repairs.

Mental Health Calls:  Mental health is becoming an epidemic.  To address this growing phenomena, we are collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to form a county-wide task force to introduce intermediary programs in lieu of incarceration.

Traffic Issues:  The rapid growth in Hays County has overwhelmed the current infrastructure which has contributed to increased traffic concerns and accidents.  

4. Has the HCSO effectively managed crime in the last decade?

As a resident of Hays County for over 25 years, I can honestly say that I have always felt safe.  During my tenure as Sheriff, I have strived to provide the level of service that the citizens of Hays County deserve.  Over the past six years, I have implemented programs using modern technology to locate fugitives, recover stolen property, and manage registered sex offenders to keep the citizens safe.

5.  If elected, what will you do to keep in contact with your constituents?

I will continue to keep in contact with my constituents in several different ways.  I enjoy and will continue to attend community events which allow me the opportunity to interact with the citizens I serve.  With today’s technology, I am easily accessible through social media as well as my door always being open to the citizens that I serve. I would also like to encourage all of my constituents to attend my Citizens Academy that provides an overview of every facet of the Sheriff’s Office and is a great opportunity to meet the men and women in our agency.

6. What is one issue not being talked about in this race that should be?

Experience of either candidate has not been discussed.  The Citizens of Hays County deserve to know not only the experience that both candidates bring to the table, but they also deserve to know how the candidates’ experience is relevant to the position of Sheriff.  I feel this very important topic has been overlooked. 

7. Has the HCSO grown alongside the county it serves to keep people safe? 

Keeping pace with the fastest growing county in Texas presents many dynamic challenges for me and my staff.  While the HCSO has experienced growth, continued expansion of the Sheriff’s Office is inevitable.  My job as your Sheriff is to balance the increases we need to continue the highest level of service while maintaining a fiscally conservative approach. 

8. What is your favorite TV show and why?

I enjoying watching re-runs of “Friends” with my wife because it is good relaxing humor.