County

Caldwell County Judge

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county judge presides over the commissioners court, which sets the county budget and tax rate and runs county government.

Candidates Compare by issue

John G. Castillo

Democratic

Retired

The gist

Opposes data centers and developer-driven growth
Supports requiring growth to pay its own way
Supports small businesses and workforce development
Pledges investment in roads, drainage and water
Pledges to try to bring a hospital to the county
Pledges resources and staffing for first responders
Secured U.S. 183 utility relocation funding as councilmember

More about John

View sources (1)

Opposes data centers and developer-driven growth
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“I oppose politicians who sell out our community to developers and big tech data centers that drive up utility costs”
Supports requiring growth to pay its own way
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“Growth must pay its own way, protect homeowners, and preserve our quality of life.”
Supports small businesses and workforce development
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“I will support policies that strengthen small businesses, attract good-paying jobs, and invest in workforce development.”
Pledges investment in roads, drainage and water
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“I will prioritize smart investments in roads, drainage, and water to support growth, reduce flooding, improve safety”
Pledges to try to bring a hospital to the county
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“I will also do everything in my power to attract a hospital to Caldwell County.”
Pledges resources and staffing for first responders
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“I will back our law enforcement, fire, and emergency responders with the resources, staffing, and training they need”
Secured U.S. 183 utility relocation funding as councilmember
Big John Castillo for Caldwell County Judge
Campaign website · John Castillo campaign · bigjohncastillo.com
“Secured funding from the Texas State Infrastructure Bank in partnership with TxDOT to relocate utilities along U.S. 183”

Hoppy Haden

RepublicanIncumbent

County judge

The gist

Led a cut in the county tax rate
Secured larger law enforcement and first responder budgets
Secured economic development commitments for the county
Secured more funding for roads and infrastructure
Secured a state grant for a Luling evacuation center
Led a revamp of the county elections department
Led creation of an illegal-dumping enforcement unit

More about Hoppy

View sources (1)

Led a cut in the county tax rate
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Lowered the county tax rate to its lowest rate in nearly two decades”
Secured larger law enforcement and first responder budgets
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Increased law enforcement and first responder budgets and provided new communication and safety equipment”
Secured economic development commitments for the county
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Acquired over $1 billion in economic development commitments”
Secured more funding for roads and infrastructure
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Purchased new county road equipment to replace decades old equipment … Allocated more funding to infrastructure projects”
Secured a state grant for a Luling evacuation center
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Secured a $17 million dollar grant from the General Land Office to build an evacuation/community center in Luling”
Led a revamp of the county elections department
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Revamped the county elections department to ensure election integrity”
Led creation of an illegal-dumping enforcement unit
Accomplishments
Campaign website · Hoppy Haden campaign · hoppyhaden.com
“Created an Environmental Unit to prosecute and stop illegal dumping throughout the county”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.