Hays County, Texas

Hays County Judge

2 candidates are tracked for Hays County Judge, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Michelle Gutierrez Cohen and Geoffrey Tahuahua. Candidate information follows official Hays County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

May 26 runoff result: Michelle Gutierrez Cohen won the Democratic runoff over incumbent Ruben Becerra, 58.31% to 41.69%, and meets Republican nominee Geoffrey Tahuahua on the November 3 ballot, per KUT's reporting on the county's runoff results.

What this office does

County judge (county executive). In Texas and a few other states the county judge is the county's chief executive and presides over the commissioners court, the county's governing board. The office prepares the budget, runs county administration and emergency management and, in smaller counties, still hears some probate and misdemeanor matters. It is an administrative office more than a courtroom one.

This race. Every voter in Hays County votes on this seat.

Texas › Hays County › Hays County Judge

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen

Democratic

Top priorities

Protecting election integrity and voter registration at the county level
Coordinating transportation and infrastructure improvements amid rapid county growth
Prioritizing water resource protection through responsible planning

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen is the sitting Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 2 and holds a doctorate in organizational leadership, per her campaign site. She has more than 30 years of experience in public service, including work in state government.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Geoffrey Tahuahua

Republican

Top priorities

Coordinating public safety resources for law enforcement and first responders
Planning ahead of growth with clearer development and permitting processes
Disciplined budgeting to reduce waste in county government

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Tahuahua is president of one of Texas's largest trade associations and has previously worked at a Texas think tank and as an advisor to a Texas House member, per the campaign site. He has served on the Dripping Springs City Council since 2021 and previously chaired the North Hays County EMS board, per the campaign site. He lives in Dripping Springs with his wife and three sons, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotHays County Commissioner, Precinct 2

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Hays County Judge in 2026?

When is the Hays County Judge election in Texas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hays County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hays County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Hays County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hays County ballot

21 tracked races in Hays County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 4 Hays County Criminal District Attorney Hays County Court at Law No. 1 See all 21 Hays County races

Candidate profiles

Michelle Gutierrez Cohen, full profile Geoffrey Tahuahua, full profile Official Texas election office