HAYS COUNTY — More than 50,000 voters cast a ballot in the 2026 March primary election, the race that determines who will represent each party in the November election.
Several impactful positions were up for election, including the Hays County judge, precinct 2 and 4 county commissioners, district clerk, Hays County treasurer , Hays County clerk, district judge seats, county court-at-law judges and justices of the peace.
The majority of the local Republican races ran unopposed, securing the candidates’ seats in the uniform election, to be held Nov. 3, including Geoffrey Tahuahua — current Dripping Springs City Council member guided by “conservative principles, fiscal responsibility, accountability and a commitment to protecting the values” — who is vying for the county judge seat.
However, voters chose Rob McClelland to move forward as the Republican candidate for the Precinct 4 Hays County commissioner position. McClelland received 4,368 votes or 66.12%, while opponent Wm. Travis Crow garnered 2,238 votes or 33.88%.
McClelland is a father, veteran and Dripping Springs ISD trustee. In his campaign, he stated that 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.
In the Democratic race, incumbent Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra will continue to fight for his reelection in a runoff against candidate Michelle Cohen, as neither had more than 50% of the vote. The two received 15,616 votes or 49.14% and 14,435 votes or 45.42% respectively. Candidate Joel W. Martin garnered 1,727 votes or 5.43%.
Becerra has served as the county judge since 2019, after his reelection in 2022. 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.
Cohen noted 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.
Additionally, there will be runoff elections for County Court-at-Law #2 between incumbent Chris Johnson — 13,785 votes or 47.97% — and Thomas Just — 10,211 or 35.54% — as well as county clerk candidates Cynthia Millonzi, 14,204 votes or 47.51%, and Nicholas “Nico” Costilla, 9,468 or 31.67%.
Early voting for the runoff election will be May 18 to May 22, with election day occurring Tuesday, May 26.
Democrat and Hays CISD trustee Johnny Flores will face Republican candidate Abby Gibson in November for the Precinct 2 Hays County commissioner seat. Flores received 5,380 vote or 72.60% and opponent Bryan Escobar had 2,030 votes or 27.40%
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, according to his candidacy website.
Angie Unger will represent Democrats for the Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 4 seat, with 3,864 or 50.56%. She stated that she is a mother and neighbor advocating for safer roads, water conservation and community connection.
The criminal district attorney Democratic seat was secured by Alfonso Salazar, with 16,349 votes or 54.50% Although there is no Republican opponent, independent Kirsta Melton will face him on the November ballot.
As previously reported by the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch, Salazar is San Antonio born and a veteran, which taught him discipline, resilience and leadership. He shared that his mission is to protect the rule of law and reeducate law enforcement and civilians.
The Republican and Democratic nominees will face off in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3.
All unofficial results for the March 3 primary election are as follows:
Democratic race
According to the Hays County elections website, 33,926 out of 192,945, or 17.58%, Democratic voters cast a ballot.
District Judge, 428th District
Cassie Benoit-Templeton: 20,153 (66.54%)
Joe Pool: 6,968 (23.01%)
Bill Henry: 3,168 (10.46%)
Criminal District Attorney
Alfonso Salazar: 16,349 (54.50%)
Landon Bryan Campbell: 13,647 (45.50%)
County Judge
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen: 14,435 (45.42%)
Joel W. Martin: 1,727 (5.43%)
Ruben Becerra: 15,616 (49.14%)
County Court-at-Law #1
Jimmy Alan Hall: 29,259 (100%)
County Court-at-Law #2
Chris Johnson: 13,785 (47.97%)
W. David Friesenhahn: 4,738 (16.49%)
Thomas Just: 10,211 (35.54%)
District Clerk
Amanda K. Calvert: 29,440 (100%)
County Clerk
Cynthia A. Millonzi: 14,204 (47.51%)
DeeDee Rodgers: 6,225 (20.82%)
Nicholas “Nico” Costilla: 9,468 (31.67%)
County Treasurer
Daphne Sanchez Tenorio: 29,380 (100%)
County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Johnny Flores: 5,380 (72.60%)
Bryan Escobar: 2,030 (27.40%)
County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Angie Unger: 3,864 (50.56%)
Laurie Brown: 3,779 (49.44%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
Maggie Hernandez Moreno: 7,101 (75.46%)
Elizabeth Trevino Amaya: 2,309 (24.54%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1
Beth Smith: 6,903 (100%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
Sandra Bryant: 6,165 (100%)
Republican race
According to the Hays County elections website, 18,601 out of 192,945, or 9.64%, Republican voters cast a ballot.
District Judge, 207th District
Tracie Wright Reneau: 15,064 (100%)
District Judge, 274th District
Gary L. Steel: 15,125 (100%)
District Judge, 428th District
Paul Still: 15,046 (100%)
County Judge
Geoffrey Tahuahua: 15,418 (100%)
County Court-at-Law #2
Charmaine Wilde: 15,180 (100%)
County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Abby Gibson: 2,223(100%)
County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Rob McClelland: 4,368 (66.12%)
Wm. Travis Crow: 2,238 (33.88%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1
Janie Flores: 2,545 (100%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3
Joseph Jamieson: 2,461 (100%)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4
John Burns: 4,805 (100%)
*All results are unofficial until canvassed and certified.
