Hays County, Texas

Judge, 428th District Court

2 candidates are tracked for Judge, 428th District Court, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Cassie Benoist-Templeton and Paul Still. Candidate information follows official Hays County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

May 26 runoff result: Cassie Benoist-Templeton won the Democratic runoff over Joe Pool (the top-two after Bill Henry was eliminated in the March 3 primary) and meets Republican nominee Paul Still, who was unopposed, on the November 3 ballot, per the Hays Free Press's report on the county's official primary results.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

Texas › Hays County › Judge, 428th District Court

Cassie Benoist-Templeton

Democratic

Top priorities

Treating every person with fairness, dignity and respect in the courtroom
Applying the law evenly and consistently

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Cassie Benoist-Templeton has spent twelve years as a prosecutor in the Caldwell County District Attorney's office, focusing on serious crimes against women and children, per her campaign site. She holds a law degree from Oklahoma City University and a criminal justice degree from Texas State University.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Paul Still

Republican

Top priorities

Following the law and the Constitution without political influence
Objective review of cases based on facts and law

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Paul Still is a staff attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and a former Harris County prosecutor, per his campaign site. He is board certified in criminal appellate law and has practiced for more than 12 years.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotJustice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, 428th District Court in 2026?

When is the Judge, 428th District Court 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

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1 Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 See all 21 Hays County races

Candidate profiles

Cassie Benoist-Templeton, full profile Paul Still, full profile Official Texas election office