On the ballot
Ruben Becerra, Michelle Gutierrez Cohen and Joel W. Martin are competing for a spot on the ballot in November. A candidate must receive over 50% of the votes to win; if this doesn’t happen, a runoff election will be held May 26.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election, and the winner will serve as Hays County judge.
For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
What you need to know
- Tuesday, Feb. 17: first day of early voting in person
- Friday, Feb. 20: application for ballot by mail deadline (received by the elections office, not postmarked)
- Friday, Feb. 27: last day of early voting in person
- Tuesday, March 3: election day
*indicates incumbent.
Ruben Becerra*
Occupation & Experience:
Hays County Judge, leading county government, emergency response, Commissioners Court since 2019, oversees countywide budgeting .…
Candidate Website:
http://www.judgebecerra.org
Why are you running for Hays County judge?
I am running for a third term to continue protecting working families, managing growth responsibly, and ensuring county government remains transparent, ethical, and focused on serving the public not special interests. Under my leadership, Hays County has maintained the lowest tax rates in years, and I will continue delivering fiscally …
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge is managing rapid growth without sacrificing affordability, water resources, or quality of life. I will address this through responsible budgeting, strong infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship, and insisting that growth pays its fair share rather than shifting costs onto existing residents.
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as county judge?
My goals include keeping taxes low, expanding access to health services, leading the creation of a countywide healthcare district, protecting water resources, improving emergency preparedness, and strengthening transparency and public trust in county government.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
I believe experience matters. As County Judge, I treat education and training as part of the job continuously preparing to lead through emergencies, growth, and complex challenges. I am not for sale. I value transparency, and my decisions are guided by fairness, accountability, and respect for the people of Hays …
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen
Occupation & Experience:
Hays County Commissioner Precinct 2, BS, MBA, Doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership, 30 years ...
Candidate Website:
http://michelle4hays.com/
Why are you running for Hays County judge?
I have a straightforward vision for Hays County: to enhance the quality of life for everyone. As a county, we face many challenges ahead which is why we need strong leadership that is capable of collaboration, compromise and vision. My leadership style is rooted in empathy, compassion and proactive planning.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
Hays County is located in the expanding megaregion between Austin and San Antonio. Managing this growth is currently our biggest challenge. I believe the most effective way to handle this growth while safeguarding our resources is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. This plan will address growth concerns.
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as county judge?
My goals remain focused on fiscal responsibility and transparency, infrastructure and smart growth, and public safety. Removing barriers and increasing accessibility has always been the foundation of my advocacy, and I will continue to prioritize this as Hays County Judge.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
As a native Texan born in Austin and raised in Hays, I've seen the area's changes over the past 40 years. It has been an honor to serve as County Commissioner, and I am ready to take this significant step because I truly care about Hays County and its residents.
Joel W. Martin
Occupation & Experience:
Self-employed builder, business owner, public safety professional, technology, data center operations, construction and infrastructure leadership ...
Candidate Website:
http://www.joelforhays.com/
Why are you running for Hays County judge?
Hays County is growing faster than its systems. I am running to bring practical leadership, transparency, and accountability to county government. I build and manage construction, technology, and public safety operations that must work under pressure and deliver real world results.
What is the biggest challenge facing the county, and how would you address it?
Unmanaged growth is straining infrastructure, emergency services, and budgets. I would use data-driven planning, modern technology, and interagency coordination so growth is deliberate, services scale correctly, and taxpayers see measurable value.
If elected, what goals would you aim to achieve as county judge?
Strengthen emergency preparedness, modernize county systems, improve transparency, support economic development, and ensure fiscal discipline. I believe culture matters and a healthy work environment is non-negotiable.
What else do you want voters to know about you?
I am not a career politician. I build companies, help others start theirs, and fix systems that fail. When something goes wrong, I take ownership, correct it openly, and make it stronger for the future.
