Commissioners approve order for Nov. 5 general election, name judges

Gonzales County commissioners approved an order for the Nov. 5 general election, approved precinct locations and appointed election judges and alternates during their regular meeting Monday, Aug. 26.

Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 21-25; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 28-Nov. 1.

The main early voting location will be the Randle Rather Building, 427 St. George St., Gonzales. Branch early voting can be done at Nixon City Building, 302 E. Central, Nixon, and Waelder City Hall, 300 U.S. Hwy. 90 W, Waelder.

Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to Gonzales County Early Voting Clerk, Gwen Schaefer, Elections Administrator, P.O. Box 1753, Gonzales, TX 78629. Applications for ballot by mail and federal postcard applications must be received no later than close of business Oct. 25.

Local races

There is only one county office on the Gonzales County ballot — Sheriff — as incumbent Keith A. Schmidt, the Republican candidate, will be challenged by former GCSO chief deputy Clay Allen, the Democrat.

There is also a race for the District 44 Texas House seat. Republican Alan Schoolcraft, who unseated incumbent state Rep. John Kuempel, will square off against Democrat Eric Norman.

Other county offices on the ballot are unopposed. They include 25^th Judicial District Judge (incumbent Bill Old); 2^nd 25^th Judicial District Judge (incumbent Jessica Richard Crawford); County Attorney (Eduardo “Eddie” Xavier Escobar is running to succeed Paul Watkins); Tax Assessor-Collector (incumbent Crystal Cedillo); Precinct 1 Commissioner (Anton W. “Tony” Matias is running to succeed K.O. “Dell” Whiddon); Precinct 3 Commissioner (Roy A. Staton running to succeed Kevin La Fleur); Precinct 1 Constable (incumbent Johnnie Hall); Precinct 3 Constable (incumbent Derek Johnson); Precinct 4 Constable (incumbent John J. Moreno).

State races

Contested state races on the ballot include four candidates vying for Railroad Commissioner. They include Republican incumbent Christi Craddick, Democrat Katherine Culbert, Libertarian Hawk Dunlap and Green candidate Eddie Espinoza.

Place 2 Supreme Court Justice will feature Republican incumbent Jimmy Blacklock against Democrat DaSean Jones. Place 4 Supreme Court Justice will feature Republican incumbent John Devine against Democrat Christine Vinh Weems and Libertarian Matthew Secerly. Place 6 Supreme Court Justice will feature Republican incumbent Janne Bland against Democrat Bonnie Lee Goldstein and Libertarian David Roberson.

Presiding Judge Court of Criminal Appeals will feature Republican David Schenck against Democrat Holly Taylor. Place 7 Court of Criminal Appeals Justice will feature Republican Gina Parker against Democrat Nancy Mulder and Libertarian Mark Ash. Place 8 Court of Criminal Appeals Justice will feature Republican Lee Finley against Democrat Chika Anyiam and Libertarian Stephan Kinsella.

Chief Justice 13^th Court of Appeals will feature Republican Jaime Tijerina running against Democrat Gina Benavides. Place 2 13^th Court of Appeals will feature Republican Jenny Cron against Democrat incumbent Nora Longoria. Place 4 13^th Court of Appeals will feature Republican Ysmael D. Fonseca against Democrat Joe Martinez. Place 5 13^th Court of Appeals will feature Republican Jon West against Regi Compian Richardson.

State Board of Education District 3 member Marisa Perez-Diaz is running unopposed.

Federal races

The race for President sees Republicans Donald J. Trump/JD Vance running against Democrats Kamala D. Harris/Tim Walz, Libertarians Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat and Greens Jill Stein/Rudolph Ware.

U.S. Senate race has Republican incumbent Ted Cruz running against Democrat Colin Allred and Libertarian Ted Brown. U.S. Rep. District 27 has incumbent Michael Cloud running against Democrat Tanya Lloyd.