Deadline to file for Gonzales County primaries is Dec. 11

With just a few days left until the 6 p.m. Dec. 11 filing deadline to run for county office, there have been 11 individuals who have tossed their hats into the ring for the 2024 Gonzales County Republican Primary so far, Gonzales County GOP Chair Liz Hernandez said.

On the Democratic side, Gonzales County Democratic Party Chair Yolanda Messerman said she expects one candidate to file to run for office, but has not received the completed paperwork and filing fee yet.

Incumbent Sheriff Keith A. Schmidt has filed for re-election to a full term as the county’s top law enforcement official. Schmidt was appointed to the position in 2021 after the untimely death of Sheriff Robert Ynclan and was elected to serve the remainder of Ynclan’s term in 2022. At this time, he is the only candidate for sheriff.

Incumbent Tax Assessor-Collector Crystal L. Cedillo has also filed for re-election. Cedillo has held the position since April 1999 and will be seeking her seventh full term in office. She also does not have a declared opponent at this time.

The only person to file so far for Gonzales County Attorney is Eduardo “Eddie” Escobar, a local attorney with the firm of Reese & Escobar who also serves as city attorney for Nixon. Incumbent Paul Watkins has not filed yet for re-election or indicated whether he will be running.

Two people have filed to run for Gonzales County Precinct 1 Commissioner. They are Anton "Tony" Matias and Ryan W. Mills. Incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner K.O. “Dell” Whiddon has not filed for re-election and has not announced whether he will be running in 2024.

Likewise, there are two candidates so far for Gonzales County Precinct 3 Commissioner Pct 3. They are Thomas "Tommy" Barnick and Roy A. Staton. Incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin La Fleur has not filed for re-election and has not announced whether he will be running in 2024.

Incumbent Precinct 1 County Constable Johnnie Hall has filed for re-election and faces a challenge from former Smiley City Marshall Scott Rhodes Sr., who ran against Hall in the 2020 GOP primary as well.

Incumbent Precinct 3 County Constable Derek Johnson is the only person who has filed so far to run for his position, while incumbent Precinct 4 County Constable John J. Moreno is the only person filed so far to run for his.

Candidates who wish to seek a spot in the Republican Primary can file at the Gonzales County Republican Party headquarters at The Alcalde Hotel, 614 Saint Paul, Suite 101, Gonzales, or call 830-857-1324. Again, the filing deadline is 6 p.m. Dec. 11.