Voters return Commissioner Ingalsbe, several other incumbents to office

All the incumbents on the Hays County ballot found success in their re-election bids Nov. 6.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe captured 61.4 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns, while Republican challenger Mary E. Gonzales earned 38.6 percent. Ingalsbe, the Commissioners Court's longest-serving member, said she would focus on water, road safety and job creation in her next four-year term representing southeastern Hays County.

"I believe water is going to be a huge issue," she said. "We need to continue to work with cities, legislators, river authorities and other public and private entities to ensure that we have the water we need, not only for today but for the future."

Precinct 1 Constable David Peterson easily won his race against Stephen A. Velasquez, by a vote of 60.5 percent to 39.6 percent, while longtime Precinct 2 Constable James H. Kohler held off a challenge from Ron Hall to win with 52.7 percent to Hall's 47.3 percent.

JoAnne Prado, the Precinct 1, Place 1 justice of the peace, defeated challenger Amy Lea Akers by a margin of 56.2 percent to 43.8 percent.

Sheriff Gary Cutler, Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway and Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley ran unopposed and were re-elected to four-year terms.

Former New Braunfels Mayor Bruce Boyer also won election after running unopposed for the 22nd District Judge's seat, serving Hays, Comal and Caldwell counties.

  • Precinct 1 Commissioner
  • Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe (i) — 6,336, 61.4%
  • Mary E. Gonzales — 3,983, 38.6%
  • Precinct 1, Place 1, Justice of the Peace
  • JoAnne Prado (i) — 9,502, 56.2%
  • Amy Lea Akers — 7,401, 43.8%
  • Precinct 1 Constable
  • David Peterson (i) — 10,221, 60.5%
  • Stephen A. Velasquez — 6,686, 39.6%
  • Precinct 2 Constable
  • James H. Kohler (i) — 5,756, 52.7%
  • Ron Hall — 5,146, 47.3%
  • Unopposed candidates
  • Sheriff Gary Cutler
  • Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway
  • Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley
  • 22nd District Judge Bruce Boyer

Source: Hays County Elections Administrator