Will Conley, who currently serves as Hays County Precinct 3 commissioner, announced his campaign for county judge Tuesday night. Speaking from the steps of the Hays County Courthouse, Conley said his an announcement for the Republican nomination was an emotional one. He was elected in 2004, serving the residents of greater San Marcos and Wimberley. "This community has been so good to me," he said. "It's really been an honor of my life, the work I've done here in Hays County representing Precinct 3." Conley, who also serves as chairman of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the regional transportation planning group, said he is prepared for the growth that the county is expecting in the next few years. In 2016, Hays County was named the third fastest-growing county in the nation. "The challenges and opportunities that we have coming up before us is going to be grand," he said. "We are going to see a level of change in the county over the next 10 years like nothing we've ever experienced. Many of us would like it to remain the same, but that is not our fate, so we will change—it's just a matter of how we will change." He said he wanted Hays County to be the "model" county in Texas. "I believe the experience and the opportunity that you have given me over all these years has prepared me, better than anyone else in this county, to work with all my colleagues to ensure that this county not only stay great but that we become exceptional," he said, addressing a crowd of about 30 people attending his news conference. Conley said County Judge Bert Cobb, who currently holds the seat but has been off the dias since August because of a leukemia diagnosis, has given Conley his blessing to run. "I feel liberated. I feel free." Conley said. "I want to be county judge for all the people in Hays County." Conley's announcement comes three days after San Marcos resident Ruben Becerra said he changed his mind about running for the seat. Conley's Precinct 3 seat expires in 2020. According to the state statute, because Conley's term expires more than 13 months after the primary election in March, he must resign his seat, and Cobb will appoint someone in his place. Until Cobb appoints someone for Precinct 3, Conley will continue serving as commissioner. Mark Kennedy, the county's attorney, said a special election will be held in 2018 to fill Conley's Precinct 3 commissioner seat. Another election will then be held in 2020 for a four-year term. The county judge serves as presiding officer of the county Commissioners Court, judge of the county court and budgeting officer of the county. 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.