Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

County Judge

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

Hays County
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked3-way race
Geoffrey TahuahuaGeoffrey TahuahuaRepublican
Michelle Gutierrez CohenMichelle Gutierrez CohenDemocratic
Liz 'Sumter' GajdosIndependent
On ballot as
Geoffrey Tahuahua
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen
Liz 'Sumter' Gajdos
Current role
Dripping Springs City Council member, Place 3 (since May 2021; sworn in for a third term in 2025, per campaign); president of a Texas trade association (per campaign)
Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 2 (term 2023–2026) (per the county)
Small business owner (per her Community Impact candidate profile)
Background
  • Nonprofit and association executive, more than a decade (per campaign)
  • Formerly at a state policy think tank (per campaign)
  • Former advisor to a member of the Texas House (per campaign)
  • Lives in Dripping Springs
  • Lists a BS, an MBA and a doctorate in management in organizational leadership
  • More than 30 years of experience, including service in state government (per campaign)
  • Lives in Kyle
  • Raised in Hays County
  • Family moved to Hays County in 1979 (per campaign)
  • Hays County resident for more than 40 years (per campaign)
  • Volunteer, San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (per campaign)
  • Full name in campaign materials: Elizabeth Ann Liz Gajdos Potolicchio
  • Served as county judge as Liz Sumter
Experience
  • North Hays County EMS commissioner and board president (March 2017 to May 2021) (per campaign)
  • Vice-chair, Hays County Public Health Advisory Board (since November 2025) (per campaign)
  • Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
  • Funding effort for the county's mobile vaccine clinic (per KUT)
  • Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 58.31% over incumbent County Judge Ruben Becerra
  • Former Hays County Judge (in office in 2008, when news reports name her as Judge Liz Sumter)
  • First woman to serve as Hays County Judge (per campaign)
  • Running as an independent
Top priorities
  • Told Community Impact: "improving roads and infrastructure, strengthening public safety and emergency preparedness, managing growth responsibly"
  • Budget: "protecting taxpayers through disciplined budgeting"
  • "I also want to restore professionalism and accountability to county government"
  • Growth: "Our job isn't to fight growth, it's to plan for it"
  • Large projects: "We have to understand their impacts on roads, water, power, emergency services and surrounding communities"
  • Told Community Impact: "fiscal responsibility and transparency, infrastructure and smart growth, and public safety"
  • Growth: wants "a comprehensive strategic plan" to manage growth "while safeguarding our resources"
  • Data centers: "I will take the fight to the state legislature along with county allies"
  • Campaign site: "Michelle will go to the mat to protect free and fair elections"
  • Campaign site: "Water is our most critical resource"
  • Told Community Impact: "All things start and end with WATER"
  • "Protecting our aquifers, managing growth and not permitting beyond our environmental infrastructure"
  • Data centers: "Growth vs Citizens is an easy choice. Citizens first."
  • Campaign site: "Oppose unnecessary debt to protect taxpayers from irresponsible decisions"
  • Campaign site: "Require new development to pay its own way"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "I believe in disciplined budgeting, eliminating waste where we can, and ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver real value for the people of Hays County."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "Our job isn't to fight growth, it's to plan for it." He adds: "Infrastructure should stay ahead of growth, not fall behind it."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Keeping people safe is county government's most fundamental responsibility."
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: says she will "ensure our finances are managed with honesty, precision, and full transparency to the public"
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a Community Impact Q&A: "Managing this growth is currently our biggest challenge." She proposes "a comprehensive strategic plan"
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: says she will work to keep communities safe "from crime, overreach, and ICE interference"
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "Cut wasteful government spending and stop unnecessary expansion projects" and "Oppose unnecessary debt to protect taxpayers from irresponsible decisions"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "Require new development to pay its own way" and "Plan for long-term growth"
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site says that as county judge she "Partnered regionally to protect rivers and reduce flood risk"
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Prioritize infrastructure, public safety, and essential services"
Endorsements
  • Governor Greg Abbott (listed by campaign)
  • Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. (listed by campaign)
  • State Senator Donna Campbell (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Carrie Isaac HD-73 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Caroline Harris Davila HD-52 (listed by campaign)
Show all 18
  • State Representative Richard Hayes HD-57 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Cole Hefner HD-5 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Ellen Troxclair HD-19 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Cody Vasut HD-25 (listed by campaign)
  • Former State Representative Jason Isaac (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Don Montague, Pct. 3 (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Dave Graham, Pct. 4 (listed by campaign)
  • Constable John Ellen, Pct. 5 (listed by campaign)
  • Former Hays County Judge Jim Powers (listed by campaign)
  • Former Hays County Commissioner Ray Whisenant (Pct. 4) (listed by campaign)
  • Ken Strange – Wimberley ISD (listed by campaign)
  • Tricia Quintero – Dripping Springs ISD (listed by campaign)
  • Hays County Law Enforcement Association (listed by campaign)
  • Representative Erin Zwiener, State Representative, House District 45 (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Sarah Eckhardt, State Senator, Democratic Nominee for Texas Comptroller (listed by campaign)
  • Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 1 (listed by campaign)
  • Councilmember Lauralee Harris, City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
  • Councilmember Mark McKinney, City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
Show all 14
  • Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, City of Austin (listed by campaign)
  • Anna Martinez Boling, Former Hays County Court at Law No 1. Judge, Former Hays County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Kathy Morris, Former Mayor of San Marcos (listed by campaign)
  • Lucy Johnson, Former Mayor of the City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
  • Kim Porterfield, Former City of San Marcos Councilmember (listed by campaign)
  • Robert Rizo, Former City of Kyle Councilmember (listed by campaign)
  • Donna Haschke, Former Hays County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Ana Cortez, Manor ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
  • Lori Moya, Former Austin ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
None found in our research
Campaign website
geoffreyforhays.com
michelle4hays.com
liz2026.com
Geoffrey Tahuahua

Geoffrey Tahuahua

Republican
On ballot as
Geoffrey Tahuahua
Current role
Dripping Springs City Council member, Place 3 (since May 2021; sworn in for a third term in 2025, per campaign); president of a Texas trade association (per campaign)
Background
  • Nonprofit and association executive, more than a decade (per campaign)
  • Formerly at a state policy think tank (per campaign)
  • Former advisor to a member of the Texas House (per campaign)
  • Lives in Dripping Springs
Experience
  • North Hays County EMS commissioner and board president (March 2017 to May 2021) (per campaign)
  • Vice-chair, Hays County Public Health Advisory Board (since November 2025) (per campaign)
  • Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
  • Told Community Impact: "improving roads and infrastructure, strengthening public safety and emergency preparedness, managing growth responsibly"
  • Budget: "protecting taxpayers through disciplined budgeting"
  • "I also want to restore professionalism and accountability to county government"
  • Growth: "Our job isn't to fight growth, it's to plan for it"
  • Large projects: "We have to understand their impacts on roads, water, power, emergency services and surrounding communities"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "I believe in disciplined budgeting, eliminating waste where we can, and ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver real value for the people of Hays County."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "Our job isn't to fight growth, it's to plan for it." He adds: "Infrastructure should stay ahead of growth, not fall behind it."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Keeping people safe is county government's most fundamental responsibility."
Endorsements
  • Governor Greg Abbott (listed by campaign)
  • Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. (listed by campaign)
  • State Senator Donna Campbell (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Carrie Isaac HD-73 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Caroline Harris Davila HD-52 (listed by campaign)
Show all 18
  • State Representative Richard Hayes HD-57 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Cole Hefner HD-5 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Ellen Troxclair HD-19 (listed by campaign)
  • State Representative Cody Vasut HD-25 (listed by campaign)
  • Former State Representative Jason Isaac (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Don Montague, Pct. 3 (listed by campaign)
  • Constable Dave Graham, Pct. 4 (listed by campaign)
  • Constable John Ellen, Pct. 5 (listed by campaign)
  • Former Hays County Judge Jim Powers (listed by campaign)
  • Former Hays County Commissioner Ray Whisenant (Pct. 4) (listed by campaign)
  • Ken Strange – Wimberley ISD (listed by campaign)
  • Tricia Quintero – Dripping Springs ISD (listed by campaign)
  • Hays County Law Enforcement Association (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
geoffreyforhays.com
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

Democratic
On ballot as
Michelle Gutierrez Cohen
Current role
Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 2 (term 2023–2026) (per the county)
Background
  • Lists a BS, an MBA and a doctorate in management in organizational leadership
  • More than 30 years of experience, including service in state government (per campaign)
  • Lives in Kyle
  • Raised in Hays County
  • Family moved to Hays County in 1979 (per campaign)
Experience
  • Funding effort for the county's mobile vaccine clinic (per KUT)
  • Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 58.31% over incumbent County Judge Ruben Becerra
Top priorities
  • Told Community Impact: "fiscal responsibility and transparency, infrastructure and smart growth, and public safety"
  • Growth: wants "a comprehensive strategic plan" to manage growth "while safeguarding our resources"
  • Data centers: "I will take the fight to the state legislature along with county allies"
  • Campaign site: "Michelle will go to the mat to protect free and fair elections"
  • Campaign site: "Water is our most critical resource"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: says she will "ensure our finances are managed with honesty, precision, and full transparency to the public"
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a Community Impact Q&A: "Managing this growth is currently our biggest challenge." She proposes "a comprehensive strategic plan"
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: says she will work to keep communities safe "from crime, overreach, and ICE interference"
Endorsements
  • Representative Erin Zwiener, State Representative, House District 45 (listed by campaign)
  • Senator Sarah Eckhardt, State Senator, Democratic Nominee for Texas Comptroller (listed by campaign)
  • Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 1 (listed by campaign)
  • Councilmember Lauralee Harris, City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
  • Councilmember Mark McKinney, City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
Show all 14
  • Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, City of Austin (listed by campaign)
  • Anna Martinez Boling, Former Hays County Court at Law No 1. Judge, Former Hays County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Kathy Morris, Former Mayor of San Marcos (listed by campaign)
  • Lucy Johnson, Former Mayor of the City of Kyle (listed by campaign)
  • Kim Porterfield, Former City of San Marcos Councilmember (listed by campaign)
  • Robert Rizo, Former City of Kyle Councilmember (listed by campaign)
  • Donna Haschke, Former Hays County Democratic Party Chair (listed by campaign)
  • Ana Cortez, Manor ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
  • Lori Moya, Former Austin ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
michelle4hays.com

Liz 'Sumter' Gajdos

Independent
On ballot as
Liz 'Sumter' Gajdos
Current role
Small business owner (per her Community Impact candidate profile)
Background
  • Hays County resident for more than 40 years (per campaign)
  • Volunteer, San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (per campaign)
  • Full name in campaign materials: Elizabeth Ann Liz Gajdos Potolicchio
  • Served as county judge as Liz Sumter
Experience
  • Former Hays County Judge (in office in 2008, when news reports name her as Judge Liz Sumter)
  • First woman to serve as Hays County Judge (per campaign)
  • Running as an independent
Top priorities
  • Told Community Impact: "All things start and end with WATER"
  • "Protecting our aquifers, managing growth and not permitting beyond our environmental infrastructure"
  • Data centers: "Growth vs Citizens is an easy choice. Citizens first."
  • Campaign site: "Oppose unnecessary debt to protect taxpayers from irresponsible decisions"
  • Campaign site: "Require new development to pay its own way"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "Cut wasteful government spending and stop unnecessary expansion projects" and "Oppose unnecessary debt to protect taxpayers from irresponsible decisions"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Campaign site: "Require new development to pay its own way" and "Plan for long-term growth"
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site says that as county judge she "Partnered regionally to protect rivers and reduce flood risk"
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Prioritize infrastructure, public safety, and essential services"
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
liz2026.com

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