County Judge - Texas Ballot Compare

Robert Beau Nettleton

Republican

On ballot as: ROBERT BEAU NETTLETON
Current role: Owner, Specialty Landscaping Solutions and Nettleton Ranching (per February 2026 primary questionnaire)
Background: Graduate of Comstock High School (per The 830 Times)
Six years in public works for the City of Del Rio, including as director of streets and drainage (per February 2026 primary questionnaire)
10 years with the Texas Department of Transportation as a maintenance crew leader (per his questionnaire)
Experience: Former Val Verde County Commissioner, Precinct 3 (first elected 2004) (per The 830 Times)
Announced in May 2023, during his fifth four-year term, that he would not seek re-election in 2024
That term expired at the end of 2024
Worked four years as Precinct 3 road and bridge foreman (per The 830 Times)
Top priorities: February 2026 primary questionnaire: "put in place a Master Plan as to how we want to develop our community for growth"
"creating a long-range transportation plan, so that we can improve the flow of traffic"
"working with surrounding communities to look for projects that will enhance our region as a whole"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: In a February 2026 primary questionnaire, on his qualifications: "Every day I work with budgets in the private world. I know what it takes to get a job completed on time and on budget."
Growth and infrastructure: In a February 2026 primary questionnaire: "My goal is to work with the city, county, school district and our citizens to put in place a Master Plan as to how we want to develop our community for growth."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found

Lewis G Owens, Jr.

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: LEWIS G OWENS, JR
Current role: Val Verde County Judge
Background: Has a business background (per February 2026 primary questionnaire)
Experience: Cites seven years as County Judge (per February 2026 primary questionnaire)
Cites eight years as a county commissioner (per February 2026 primary questionnaire)
County representative on the boards of the Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments and "Hill County MHDD" (per candidate)
Top priorities: February 2026 primary questionnaire: "Complete the projects already underway"
"I'll keep advocating to improve the highway corridors to and from Val Verde County."
"I support a new Judicial Center and will continue supporting Laughlin Air Force Base."
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: In a February 2026 primary questionnaire: "We even lowered the tax rate by 2.6 cents."
Growth and infrastructure: In a February 2026 primary questionnaire: "I'll keep advocating to improve the highway corridors to and from Val Verde County."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: In a February 2026 primary questionnaire, he listed the "Northside Fire Station" among the projects already under way that he wants to complete.
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found