Williamson County sheriff candidate Robert Chody checks election results March 2 at his home.[/caption]

Posted March 2 at 7:58 a.m.

With 58.1 percent of the vote, or 32,996 votes, Robert Chody won the Republican bid for Williamson County sheriff. Randy Elliston followed with 15 percent of the vote, or 8,541 votes. Mike Cowie came in third with 13.4 percent, or 7,594 votes, and William "Bill" Kelberlau received 6,433 votes, or 11.3 percent of the vote. Since there is no Democratic challenger in the race, Chody has no opponent in November elections and therefore has won the sheriff's race. Chody said he appreciated all who had listened and cast a ballot for him and his message. "I'm excited to work with the young men and women who make this one of the best agencies in the state," he said. All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Posted March 1 at 8:07 p.m.

Unofficial early voting numbers released March 1 show Robert Chody is leading in the race of four Republicans vying to be the next Williamson County sheriff. The numbers show Chody is ahead with 16,780 votes, or 59.5 percent of the vote, and Randy Elliston is following with 4,133 votes, or 14.7 percent. Mike Cowie has 3,462 votes, or 12.2 percent, and William "Bill" Kelberlau has 3,356 votes, or 11.9 percent. If no candidate secures a majority of the votes, the top two finishers will face off in a primary runoff election in May. Chody said he was encouraged by his lead in early voting results, especially considering the number of candidates in the race. “Obviously it’s not over until it’s over, but I’m very happy with the results that we see thus far,” he said. “The voters have spoken, and I’m very proud the voters saw the message I was presenting and what I want to do if I’m the sheriff, and I think they have seen through my past history and current status and they like what they see.” In September, Sheriff James Wilson announced that he will retire from the office he has held for more than 10 years. Wilson endorsed Cowie for the position. Chody is a Williamson County Precinct 1 constable and former Austin police officer. He has picked up a number of endorsements throughout the race, including from the Austin Police Association, the Cedar Park Police Association, the Leander Law Enforcement Association, the Round Rock Police Officer Association and the Travis County Sheriff’s Officer’s Association. Chody said he decided to run for sheriff because a police officer changed his life during a traumatic event during his childhood. He said he sees an issue with low morale in the county office, and he aims to create a DWI team that would help prevent DWI fatalities. Cowie is the lieutenant of the criminal investigations division for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and he is the past lieutenant and sergeant of the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Law Enforcement Division in narcotics service. He has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement. Cowie said he aims to maintain the county’s current "tough on crime" reputation. He said a top issue the county is facing is increased growth, so the need for services from the sheriff’s office will continue to increase. Elliston is the former chief of the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Division, and he has more than 37 years of Texas law enforcement experience. He also said rapid population growth in Williamson County is a top concern and said the county must find a way to increase pay and benefits for its personnel. William “Bill” Kelberlau is a retired veteran with 30 years in naval intelligence and a 28-year career with Texas Instruments and Raytheon. He said his experience with Texas Instruments would help him lead the department through the growth and change in Williamson County, and he said growing emergency services response is a top issue the county faces. A fifth candidate, retired Houston police officer Tony Trumps, announced he was dropping out of the race in December and later endorsed Chody. The candidate who wins the Republican primary will become the county’s next sheriff, as there are no Democratic challengers in the race. All results are unofficial until canvassed.