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By Brittany Anderson

HAYS COUNTY — Three hopeful county leaders gathered with members of the community to discuss their expertise and goals if elected to office. 

The Buda Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum during its monthly luncheon on Oct. 12. Participating in the forum were Ruben Becerra (incumbent) for County Judge, David Puryear for District Attorney and Britney Bolton Richey (incumbent) for County Treasurer. Jacquie Hollis Martinez served as moderator. 

Commissioner Mark Jones, who is running for County Judge, Kelly Higgins, who is running for District Attorney and Daphne Tenorio, who is running for County Treasurer, were not present due to scheduling conflicts. 

Jones is a Hays County native and has served as Pct. 2 County Commissioner since 2010. He is also a board member for CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization), vice president of the Capital Area Housing Corporation, vice president of the Hays County Food Bank and board member of the Hays County Education Foundation. 

Becerra was elected county judge in 2018. During his tenure, his priorities have included criminal justice reform, low tax rates and improving services to citizens. He has been recognized as a county leader in emergency management in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, has served on a variety of local boards and commissions and comes from a small business background. 

“I’ve had the privilege of being your county judge against all odds,” Becerra said. “The job I have today as county judge is the best job I’ve ever had, because I’m impacting lives in ways I would have never imagined.”

Becerra’s goals, if re-elected, include maintaining his refined approach to community and emergency response and modernizing the justice system, noting that the county spends $15,000 a day to outsource inmates. He believes that regional communication regarding infrastructure and transportation in Hays County is important, and in being more mindful and conscientious of how the county uses water and protecting wells already in place. 

The district attorney’s duties include representing the state in prosecuting felony criminal convictions, working with law enforcement officers in the investigation of criminal cases, presenting cases to the grand jury and representing victims of violence and protective orders. 

Higgins has practiced criminal law in Hays County courts for over 20 years. One judge urged him to run for the position, and he decided now is the time to “bring necessary reforms to Hays County.” 

Puryear’s legal career spans nearly 40 years. He has served as a county and state prosecutor, and as a trial judge and most recently an appellate judge, for nearly 20 years in the Austin Court of Appeals. 

“This is a critically important race for the people of Hays County. Your District Attorney is, without question, the most powerful office in the county,” Puryear said. “We all know that we are experiencing explosive growth, and unfortunately with that growth comes crime. … It is critically important that your DA have the requisite, background, experience and knowledge. I have that experience.” 

Some of the top issues Puryear wants to address, if elected, include building the “most talented, professional and ethical” group of attorneys in the state, tackling the fentanyl crisis and working through a court backlog that is “unacceptable,” as there are pending cases that are sometimes up to seven years old. Puryear also said he believes the current line prosecutors are not as empowered as they should be to deal with the cases that are assigned to them. 

The county treasurer is the chief custodian of the county finances and is charged with the safekeeping of the investing of county funds, including the maintenance and reconciliation of all checking accounts under the care of the treasurer, and the disbursement of funds. 

Tenorio, in a statement read by Buda City Council member Terry Cummings, said that as a former Kyle City Council member, she made “tough decisions” on the budget, consistently voting for lower budgets and sometimes being the only one to do so. She was elected the first female president of the Association of Municipal Hispanic Officials, served on the Texas Municipal League board, and has experience as an accountant and small business owner. 

“You work hard for your money, and you deserve to have somebody on your side,” Tenorio wrote. 

In Richey’s 32 years of experience working in the Hays County Treasurer’s Office, she has handled the county’s investment portfolio since 1996 and was elected as treasurer in 2018. She has instructed investments from the county to local governments in Texas for more than 20 years. 

Some of Richey’s goals to address, if re-elected, include ensuring the county can earn money in investments and safeguarding funds and liquid in case of recession, targeting fraud prevention and being transparent with residents. 

“I’m a local girl; I’m not going anywhere. This is where I’m from, and to me, this is personal. This is our money, our family’s money, our friend’s money, and it is my job to keep it safe and liquid and able to use for your needs as the commissioners court designates,” Richey said. “I’ve done a very good job for you; I’m dedicated to it. I really care about it.” 

Early voting begins on Oct. 24. Election day will be Nov. 8. More information can be found at www.hayscountytx.com/departments/elections.