Two candidates are running to sit at the center of the dais as county judge on the Hays County Commissioners Court: incumbent Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, a Democrat, and his challenger, the Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, a Republican.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 election began Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4.
Read Q&As with each candidate below. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the question provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, please visit www.communityimpact.com.
*Incumbent
Ruben Becerra*, D
Experience:
Served as Hays County's chief budget officer, currently the director of homeland security and director of emergency management; served as the vice chair of the bail bond board, served as the chair of the Hays County Election Commission and Records Management Officer
Occupation:
Hays County judge
Candidate Website:
www.judgebecerra.org
Contact Information:
512-393-2205
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I plan to continue protecting our critical resources and encouraging development where it will not disrupt our drinking supply. I aim to further my efforts of transparency by building a government that represents the community rather than special interests. My passions are visible through my track record: a roadmap to bring Hays County a mental health facility; criminal justice modernization efforts; and my continued work to bring us a centralized, no-kill animal shelter.
How would you improve transportation within Hays County as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
I believe in proactive governance rather than reactive. Working with upcoming developments to ensure infrastructure is in place before the development is built is how we avoid the infrastructure messes we currently have in West Buda. The goal is to work with our regional partners and not attempt to usurp systems designed for regional benefit. Additionally, Hays County is experiencing explosive growth, and I support establishing bus routes and rail from Austin to San Antonio.
What would you do specifically as Hays County judge to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
It is critical to continuously inform the community of what is happening, good or bad. I made it a priority to keep the community informed while managing the pandemic, natural disasters, and other emergencies at unprecedented levels. Access to our elected officials and communication is critical during turmoil. I have also created a myriad of citizen tasks forces, which focus on areas, such as small business COVID[-19] response, mental health, and redistricting, among many others.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for Hays County?
Senator Zaffirini has been an excellent example of what state elected officials can do for local governments. I have received much support from all levels of government in COVID-19 response, long-term budgeting for a mental health facility, and long-term community programs. These types of coordinated programs that are designed to serve our community do not happen in a vacuum. Usurping critical partners is counterproductive, counterintuitive and grossly wasteful of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
Mark Jones, R
Experience:
Hays County commissioner Precinct 2 2010-Present, board member and one of three officers for Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), vice president of the Capital Area Housing Corporation, vice president of the Hays County Food Bank, board member of the Hays County Education Foundation, Former Hays CISD school board member
Occupation:
Hays County commissioner, Precinct 2
Candidate Website:
www.markforhays.com
Contact Information:
512-517-2925rn
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Emergency management, roads/transportation infrastructure, and fully funding law enforcement
How would you improve transportation within Hays County as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
Increase capacity on overburdened roads, building new, additional roads where needed and where possible, using my position on CAMPO to work regionally to improve transportation in surrounding areas. As well as looking for alternatives to single passenger commuters
What would you do specifically as Hays County judge to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
[I would do the] same thing I have done for the last 20 years; I have an open-door policy—anyone that wants to talk about anything can call me directly. My cell phone is public. I will be as available as possible to all citizens and business owners of Hays County to hear their concerns. I work to be out in the public as much as possible to build relationships; I have proven I support our community daily.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for Hays County?
[I would do this] through relationships I have built over the time I’ve been an elected official. Republican or Democrat, I have been able to work with every official in our area for the betterment of our community.
