By Kim Hilsenbeck and Andy Sevilla.
Only 11.85 percent of registered voters opted to make their voices heard in Hays County elections, with 8,808 Republicans and 3,177 Democrats voting early, absentee or on election day in the March 4 Primary.
Several positions were decided this week, as there are no opponents beyond the primary, including the Hays County District Attorney and 21st District Congressman.
For more Hays County election coverage, visit www.co.hays.tx.us.
Mau bests Peach for Hays County DA spot
In the race for Hays County District Attorney, Wes Mau garnered 57 percent (3,759 votes) of the vote as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. His Republican opponent and the only other candidate for the position, Lynn Peach, received 43 percent (2,817 votes). As there was no Democrat in the race, Mau will become the new DA for Hays County, replacing Sherri Tibbe who opted not to run for the office again. Both Mau and Peach are former Hays County assistant DAs.
Hays County Judge
While neither had primary opponents, candidates for County Judge recorded votes and will face off in November. Democrat Abel Velasquez received 2,700 votes in the Democratic Primary. Incumbent Bert Cobb received 6,485 votes in the Republican Primary.
County Court at Law, Place 2 Judge
Democrat Linda Rodriguez received 2,792 votes in her primary while challenger David Glickler received 5,995 in the Republican Primary. Neither had primary opponents. Rodriguez has held the post for 20 years. The two will square off in the general election in November.
Jones takes primary over Seim
Another contested local primary race included the Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Place 2 spot in San Marcos. Judy Seim and Peggy Jones faced off in the Republican Primary. Jones pulled off the win with 63 percent of the vote (1,022 votes). She will face incumbent Margie Hernandez in November. Hernandez received 866 votes in the Democratic Primary.
Campbell cruises to Republican nomination
Incumbent Donna Campbell (R – New Braunfels) carried Hays County and easily won reelection to her District 25 state Senate seat, besting two opponents by two-digit leads. Campbell took 58 percent of the total Hays County vote, while former San Antonio council member Elisa Chan received 22 percent and former Bexar County Commissioner Mike Novak garnered 19 percent. Campbell will face Democratic candidate Daniel Boone in November.
Smith easily wins reelection
U.S. Rep Lamar Smith (R-San Antonio) handily won reelection to the state’s 21st Congressional District, clobbering two primary opponents. There were no Democrat candidates. In Hays County, Smith received 50.91 percent of the vote, while his challengers Matt McCall and Michael Smith garnered 41.56 and 7.53 percent, respectively. Rep. Smith was first elected to his congressional post in 1986. He is Chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, and serves on both the Judiciary Committee and Homeland Security Committee.
