County Commissioner, Precinct 4 - Texas Ballot Compare

Peter Michelena

Republican

On ballot as: Peter Michelena
Current role: Quartermaster, VFW Post 4692 (per campaign)
Background: Member of the Texas A&M Class of 2016 (per campaign)
Studied Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (per campaign)
U.S. Marine Corps Reconnaissance Marine, five years (per campaign)
Two deployments to Afghanistan (per campaign)
Two Purple Hearts (per campaign)
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Has worked in construction, field engineering and as a City of Bryan building inspector (per campaign)
Brazos County resident since 2013 (per campaign)
Experience: Quartermaster, Chief Finance Officer and Operations Officer, VFW Post 4692; helps manage more than $2 million in annual financial activity (per campaign)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): won, nearly 65% over Andre Malone
Top priorities: "We need to plan ahead, spend carefully, and make county contracts and incentives more transparent."
"We need a practical 10-year master plan that guides investment, limits the burden on our county, and keeps county spending financially responsible."
"I believe Growth should pay for Growth."
On medical transportation: "The county should expand reliable rural ride options while also bringing care closer through mobile health clinics and telehealth support."
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: "Every tax dollar comes from someone who worked to earn it."
Growth and infrastructure: "I believe Growth should pay for Growth."
Flooding and drainage: "I will prioritize the maintenance of roads and bridges, practical drainage and flood-mitigation work"
Public safety: "I will support the sheriff's office and the men and women who keep our communities safe."
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: voteformichelena.com

Wanda J. Watson

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: Wanda J. Watson
Current role: Brazos County Commissioner, Precinct 4 (sworn in as a newly elected county commissioner January 1, 2023)
Background: BBA in accounting, University of Texas at Arlington (per campaign)
M.Ed. in educational administration, Texas A&M University (per campaign)
Texas A&M University, 32 years; retired 2016 as a director, Office of Admissions, Health Science Center College of Medicine (per campaign)
Bryan ISD Education Foundation Board member (per campaign)
Education committee chair, NAACP Brazos County Branch (per campaign)
Brazos County resident for 41 years (per campaign)
Experience: 2022 Democratic primary runoff winner for this seat, by four votes (per Community Impact)
Former Brazos County Democratic Party chairwoman (per campaign)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): won, 73% over Prentiss Madison
Top priorities: "The county should focus on the need for new roads because of traffic congestion, economic diversification to create more jobs and water security."
Says the county should "make decisions based on long-term fiscal sustainability rather than short term expansion"
"We try to be as fiscally responsible as we can, with not overtaxing."
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: "We try to be as fiscally responsible as we can, with not overtaxing."
Growth and infrastructure: "The county should focus on the need for new roads because of traffic congestion, economic diversification to create more jobs and water security."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: On the budget: "We have to balance the need to make sure we take care of essential services such as law enforcement, the infrastructure, road and bridges"
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: wandajwatson.com