Brittany Kelley
HAYS COUNTY — Following the filing deadline Monday, Dec. 8, residents can begin to research potential candidates for the spring primary election.
The election, which occurs Tuesday, March 3, 2026, will determine the Republican and Democratic seats for the Nov. 3, 2026, uniform election.
Several positions are up for election, including Hays County judge, Precinct 2 and 4 commissioners, district clerk, Hays County treasurer, Hays County clerk, the 428th District judge, county courts at law 1 and 2, justice of the peace Precinct 1 Place 2, justice of the peace Precinct 2 Place 1 and justice of the peace Precinct 5.
Additionally, governor, congressional districts 21 and 27, Texas Senate- District 21 and more are up for election.
The deadline for those filing as Independent is June 25, 2026; therefore, this list may not be all inclusive.
Three candidates have filed for the Hays County Criminal District Attorney seat, currently held by Kelly Higgins, who did not file for reelection.
Democratic candidates include Landon Campbell and Alfonso Salazar.
According to Campbell’s candidacy website, he is the chief of the misdemeanor and specialty courts division at the Hays County District Attorney’s Office, where he trains new prosecutors. A Mississippi native, Campbell moved to Texas at a young age, attended Texas A&M University and received his law degree from The University of Texas. He advocates for diversion programs, investing in people and infrastructure, focusing on victim crimes and fighting for the Hays County Community.
Salazar was born in San Antonio and noted that his mothers determination to provide for their family instilled perseverance in him. A veteran, he explained that his time in the Texas Air National Guard and Active Duty Air Force went beyond his uniform, teaching him discipline, resilience and leadership, stated his website. Salazar’s mission is to protect the rule of law and reeducate law enforcement and civilians, removing the “us versus them” mentality. Additionally, he supports severe punishment and restorative justice.
Running as an Independent is Kirsta Melton. She is a prosecutor with more than 20 years of felony experience, read a news release, and is the founder and CEO of Institute to Combat Trafficking, a Dripping Springs nonprofit. Melton has a bachelor of arts from Cornell University and a masters and law degree from The University of Texas. Her candidacy announcement notes that she is running for DA because “justice matters” and she believes in equal justice under law.
Current Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra is running for reelection and is one of three Democratic candidates.
Becerra has served as the county judge since 2019, after his reelection in 2022. The father, husband and small business owner is “running for reelection to advance ambitious initiatives that continue to improve the lives of all residents,” states his candidacy website. In his time served, he has created the Criminal Justice Commission, the Mental Health Hospital Task Force, the Public Defender’s Office, Council for the Indigenous & Tejano Community and more. According to a social media post, his next project is the Hays Healthcare District to aid working families, keep children healthy, strengthen the workforce, expand local access to specialists and support aging parents.
Joel Martin, also a Democrat, stated that he was raised on accountability, hard work and service, which are the same values he brings to each project and person he meets. He advocates for keeping Hays County safe, strong and transparent.
Current Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Michelle Cohen announced her candidacy for county judge Dec. 6. Her website shared that she has more than 30 years of experience, including 12 in state government and three years as a commissioner. Raised in Hays County, she stated that she was shaped by a community that believed in hard work, looking out for one another and building something better together. She stated that she believes Judge Becerra continues to “divide, rather than unite” and that the community is “ready for a new option.”
Republican candidate Geoffrey Tahuahua, who currently serves on Dripping Springs City Council, announced a campaign for county judge. His candidate website states that he has spent more than a decade serving as a nonprofit and association executive and serves as president of one of the largest trade associations in Texas. The Dripping Springs resident stated that his leadership is guided by “conservative principles, fiscal responsibility, accountability and a commitment to protecting the values that makes Hay County a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
The Precinct 2 commissioner seat has three candidates, including Democrats Johnny Flores and Bryan Escobar and Republican Abby Gibson.
Born and raised in South Texas, currenct Hays CISD Board of Trustee Flores filed for the seat. His website notes that he comes from a working-class family and “understands the challenges that many in our community face.” Flores holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in political science from Texas State University. He supports sustainable growth, affordability, community engagement, transparency, equity and safety.
Escobor is a business owner, who is running to bring accountability and real-world experience to the county, stated his website. His campaign is focused on fixing problems, spending wisely and putting residents first.
The Hays County Republican Women president, Gibson is running for the Precinct 2 position on a calling to support her community. She is a longtime east Hays County resident and is an advocate of children and public safety.
The Precinct 4 commissioner seat is currently held by Hays County commissioner Walt Smith. Running for the spot is Democrat Angie Unger, Democrat Laurie Brown, Republican Rob McClelland and Republican WM. Travis Crow.
Unger took to social media to share that she is entering the race as a mother, neighbor and someone who has experienced life. She advocates for safer roads, water conservation and community connection, as she stated that she understands that people want to be heard, given honesty and have a leader they can trust. Unger believes in transparency, authenticity and solutions, rather than excuses.
Texas State University professor Brown is running to take positive action in the “disturbing” political environment, read a news release. If elected, she aims to focus on managing the county budget, preparing for continued growth, analyzing transportation and traffic relief options and protecting natural assets. She holds a Master of Accountancy from Texas State University and serves on the Leisurewoods Homeowners Association and for Capital City Village, an Austin-area nonprofit.
McCelland is a father, veteran and Dripping Springs ISD trustee. In his role as a trustee, he serves as the board’s liaison to the Safety & Security Committee and is on the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Training Advisory Board. He hopes to lower taxes, while focusing on infrastructure and safety, according to a news release. Additionally, McClelland wants to back law enforcement and emergency response teams, prioritize safe and well-maintained county roads, address traffic challenges and protect the Hill Country’s natural beauty.
Crow is currently a Dripping Springs council member and sits on the Transportation Committee.
The remaining candidates are listed as follows:
Governor
Democrats
• Patricia Abrego — D
• Jose Navarro Balbuena — D
• Chris Bell — D
• Bobby Cole — D
• Carlton W. Hart — D
• Gina Hinojosa — D
• Faisan Syed — D
• Zach Vance — D
• Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz — D
• Andrew White — D
Republicans
• Greg Abbott — R *
• R.F. “Bob” Achgill — R
• Evelyn Brooks — R
• Pete “Doc” Chambers — R
• Charles Andrew Crouch — R
• Arturo Espinosa — R
• Mark V. Goloby — R
• Kenneth Hyde — R
• Stephen Samuelson — R
• Ronnie Tullos — R
• Nathaniel Welch — R
Lieutenant Governor
Democrats
• Vikki Goodwin — D
• Courtney Head — D
• Marcos Isaias Velez — D
Republicans
• Perla Muñoz Hopkins — R
• Timothy Mabry — R
• Dan Patrick — R *
• Esala Wueschner — R
U.S. Senate
Democrats
• Jasmine Crocket — D
• Ahmad Hassan — D
• James Talarico — D
Republicans
• John O. Adefope — R
• Anna Bender — R
• Virgil John Bierschwale — R
• Sara Candy — R
• John Cornyn — R *
• Wesley Hunt — R
• Gulrez “Gus” Khan — R
• Ken Paxton — R
U.S. Congressional District 21
Democrats
• Kristen Hook — D
• Gary Taylor — D
• Regina VanBurg — D
Republicans
• Daniel W. Betts — R
• Jason Cahill — R
• Jacques Dubose — R
• Zeke Enriquez — R
• Weston Martinez — R
• Paul Rojas — R
• Kyle Sinclair — R
• Mark Teixeira — R
• Heather Tessmer — R
• James “Trey” Trainor, III — R
• Peggy McCormick Wardlaw — R
• Mike Wheeler — R
U.S. Congressional District 27
Democrats
• “Stock” Castro-Mendoza — D
• Tanya Llyod — D
• Wayne Raasch — D
Republicans
• Michael Cloud — R *
• Chris Hatley — R
Texas Senate CD-21
Democrats
• Judith Zaffrini — D *
• Courtney Jones — D
Republicans
• Julie Dahlberg — R
State Representative HD45
Democrats
• Erin Zweiner — D *
Republicans
• Tennyson G. Moreno — R
State Representative HD73
Democrats
• Merrie Fox — D
Republicans
• Carrie Issac — R *
Attorney General
Democrats
• Anthony “Tony” Box — D
• Joe Jaworski — D
• Nathan Johnson — D
Republicans
• Joan Huffman — R
• Mayes Middleton — R
• Aaron Reitz — R
• Chip Roy — R
District Clerk
Democrats
• Amanda Calvert — D *
Hays County Treasurer
Democrats
• Daphne Tenorio — D *
Hays County Clerk
Democrats
• Cynthia A. Millonzi — D
• Nicholas “Nico” Costilla — D
• DeeDee Rodgers — D
District Judge, 428 Judicial District
Democrats
• Cassie Benoist-Templeton — D
• Bill Henry — D
• Joe Pool — D *
Republicans
• Paul Still — R
Hays County Court-at-Law 1
Democrats
• Jimmy Alan Hall — D *
Hays County Court-at-Law 2
Democrats
• W. David Friesenhahn — D
• Chris Johnson — D
• Thomas Just — D
Republicans
• Charmaine Wilde — R
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
Democrats
• Maggie Moreno — D *
• Elizabeth Amaya — D
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1
Democrats
• Beth Smith — D *
Republicans
• Janie Flores — R
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
Republicans
• Joseph Jamieson — R
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
Republicans
• John Burns — R *
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
Democrats
• Sandra Bryant — D *
* Indicates the incumbent
