Update 7:32 a.m. Oct. 7: Ruben Becerra will not run for Hays County judge in 2018.
In a statement to Community Impact Newspaper late Friday, he said he would remain engaged and active in the community and would "look forward to participating in local leadership campaigns in the near future."
"A decision such as this is not something my family and I take lightly," he said. "We evaluated the level of impact we could contribute to our community on a county and local level."
Becerra ran for San Marcos mayor against John Thomaides in 2016 and was narrowly defeated by 42 votes. He chose not to seek a recount during that election.
Read his full statement below:
"My family and I have called San Marcos, TX home for nearly two decades. A few months back, I was asked by members of the local community, leaders and mentors of the area to strongly consider running for an elected position in Hays County. A decision such as this is not something my family and I take lightly. We evaluated the level of impact we could contribute to our community on a county and local level. While there is room for improvement in Hays County, at this time the necessity for strong, fair leadership in the City of San Marcos cannot be disregarded. The needs of the San Marcos community are critical, the commitment and love we have locally moves us to focus our efforts here at home. With this, I will not be seeking a campaign for Hays County judge. However, I will remain engaged and involved in the San Marcos community. I look forward to participating in local leadership campaigns in the near future."
Posted 11:07 Sept. 22: Ruben Becerra 'seriously considering' running for Hays County judge seat
A former mayoral candidate and active citizen in San Marcos said he is "seriously considering" running for Hays County Judge Bert Cobb's seat as a Democrat in 2018.
"After speaking with leaders from the Democratic Party countywide and prominent Republicans in our region, we see the need for a fresh perspective in our county government," Ruben Becerra said Friday.
Becerra ran for San Marcos mayor against then-Council Member John Thomaides in November 2016, losing by 42 votes.
Becerra said his run for mayor in 2016 has caught the attention of citizens who want change.
"It’s kind of like running for office created the awareness of my willingness to serve," he said.
His experience includes serving as board president of El Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos and being a founding member of Mermaid Society SMTX. He is also a former planning and zoning commissioner, parks and recreation board member, Main Street advisory board member and was recently elected to the San Marcos CISD Bond Oversight Committee. He is also a small-business owner.
Becerra said he will formally decide whether to run in the November 2018 elections by the first week of October.
The county judge seat is currently held by Cobb, who has served two four-year terms. The judge announced Aug. 1 he would be stepping down from the dias for an indefinite amount of time to begin treatment for leukemia. Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe has been conducting business in his absence.
The county judge serves as presiding officer of the county Commissioners Court, judge of the county court and budgeting officer of the county. Hays County had a population of 204,470 in July 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Nov. 11 is the first day for candidates to file for offices that are regularly scheduled to be on the primary elections ballot. Primary elections will be held March 6, 2018.
