County

Hays County Judge

Vote for: 1
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

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

Candidates Compare by issue

Geoffrey Tahuahua

Republican

Trade association president; Dripping Springs city council member · Dripping Springs

The gist

Pledges resources and coordination for sheriff and first responders.
Proposes planning for growth with predictable development rules.
Supports building infrastructure ahead of growth with regional partners.
Pledges disciplined budgeting focused on core county services.
Proposes limiting county government to core responsibilities.

More about Geoffrey

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Pledges resources and coordination for sheriff and first responders.
Geoffrey for Hays County Judge
Campaign website · Geoffrey Tahuahua Campaign · geoffreyforhays.com
“I will work to ensure our Sheriff's Office, Constables' Offices, emergency management professionals, and first responders have the resources, coordination, and support they need”
Proposes planning for growth with predictable development rules.
Geoffrey for Hays County Judge
Campaign website · Geoffrey Tahuahua Campaign · geoffreyforhays.com
“Our job isn't to fight growth, it's to plan for it. By setting clear expectations, improving coordination, and creating a predictable process”
Supports building infrastructure ahead of growth with regional partners.
Geoffrey for Hays County Judge
Campaign website · Geoffrey Tahuahua Campaign · geoffreyforhays.com
“Infrastructure should stay ahead of growth, not fall behind it. By planning for future needs, coordinating with our regional partners”
Pledges disciplined budgeting focused on core county services.
Geoffrey for Hays County Judge
Campaign website · Geoffrey Tahuahua Campaign · geoffreyforhays.com
“I believe in disciplined budgeting, eliminating waste where we can, and ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver real value for the people of Hays County.”
Proposes limiting county government to core responsibilities.
Geoffrey for Hays County Judge
Campaign website · Geoffrey Tahuahua Campaign · geoffreyforhays.com
“County government doesn't need to do everything. It needs to do the important things well.”

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

Democratic

Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 2 · Kyle

The gist

Pledges to protect water resources and Hill Country land.
Pledges to protect county election administration from interference.
Proposes a county criminal justice division with public defender.
Supports safer roads plus regional transit, bikeways and trails.
Proposes a comprehensive strategic plan to manage county growth.
Secured funding for the county's mobile vaccine clinic.

More about Michelle

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Pledges to protect water resources and Hill Country land.
Michelle on the Issues
Campaign website · Michelle Gutierrez Cohen for Hays County Judge · michelle4hays.com
“Michelle will fight to protect our water for us and for future generations”
Pledges to protect county election administration from interference.
Michelle on the Issues
Campaign website · Michelle Gutierrez Cohen for Hays County Judge · michelle4hays.com
“Michelle will go to the mat to protect free and fair elections and stand firm against any attempt to interfere”
Proposes a county criminal justice division with public defender.
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen and Ruben Becerra face off in the Hays County judge runoff
News coverage · KUT · May 19, 2026 · kut.org
“I want to create a criminal justice division that includes public defender, pretrial specialty courts”
Supports safer roads plus regional transit, bikeways and trails.
Michelle on the Issues
Campaign website · Michelle Gutierrez Cohen for Hays County Judge · michelle4hays.com
“Michelle will work to reduce congestion with safer, more efficient roads while also advancing regional transit, bikeways, and trails”
Proposes a comprehensive strategic plan to manage county growth.
Q&A: Meet the Democratic candidates for Hays County judge ahead of the May primary election runoff
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · May 14, 2026 · communityimpact.com
“I believe the most effective way to handle this growth while safeguarding our resources is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan.”
Secured funding for the county's mobile vaccine clinic.
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen and Ruben Becerra face off in the Hays County judge runoff
News coverage · KUT · May 19, 2026 · kut.org
“working to find funding for the county’s mobile vaccine clinic which offers flu and COVID-19 shots for residents”

Liz "Sumter" Gajdos

Independent

Business owner; former Hays County judge · Wimberley

The gist

Pledges to challenge 'business as usual' in county government.

More about Liz

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Pledges to challenge 'business as usual' in county government.
Three-way race set for Hays County judge
News coverage · San Marcos Record · sanmarcosrecord.com
“she is returning to public service to challenge what she described as "business as usual" in county government”

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.