Contrary to the name, the County Judge isn't a courtroom judge and doesn't have to be a lawyer — and often isn't. But the County Judge is THE most important job in Hays County, and would more accurately be called County Mayor. Leading the four County Commissioners, the County Judge helps manage our county's taxes and budget, our local roads and infrastructure, and the emergency response when disaster hits. All the county races matter, but the person you elect here is the one most likely to affect your daily life. So choose wisely.
The Democratic candidate
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen
DemocratAbout Michelle
In May, Gutierrez Cohen did what almost never happens in county politics: she took on the sitting County Judge in his own primary and beat him by 16 points. She served three years on the Commissioners Court for Precinct 2, and now she wants to earn your vote to lead the county.
Her childhood in Section 8 housing in Hays County pushed her to pursue her education, and then to help others prosper in the county that let her do the same. With her bachelor's, her master's, and finally a doctorate, she built a 30-year career managing contracts and supply chains in business and government — and brought that to the Commissioners Court, where she started the county's first Procurement Office so taxpayers can see where the money goes. During COVID she founded Hays Latinos United to get food, testing and school supplies to neighborhoods the county wasn't reaching. One of her main passions is water — as more wells run dry and dense new neighborhoods keep coming, she supports business but puts county residents and the livelihoods that depend on our water first. She hopes to be the second woman ever elected Hays County Judge.
Also on the ballot
Every candidate who filed for this office appears here. Tap a name to read more.
Geoffrey TahuahuaAbout Geoffrey
He's the president of one of the largest trade associations in Texas, a Dripping Springs city councilman, and the person who helped save North Hays County EMS when it was going broke.
Tahuahua spent more than a decade as a nonprofit and trade association executive before being elected to Dripping Springs City Council in 2021. Before that, he was appointed to the North Hays EMS board during a financial crisis and helped stabilize it. His campaign focuses on roads, infrastructure, and managing Hays County's explosive growth responsibly.
Liz "Sumter" GajdosAbout Liz
Hays County's first woman county judge — back on the ballot as an independent.
Gajdos served one term as Hays County Judge (2007–2010, then Liz Sumter) and qualified for the November ballot by petition with 881 signatures. She says she's running against business as usual and the two-party system.
Where to vote
Hays County uses vote centers — any registered Hays County voter can vote at any open location in the county. Locations and hours by city: