Editor's note: Election results are considered unofficial until they are canvassed by the entity holding the election.
The people have spoken. The total ballots cast by Hays County voters was 126,298 out of 186,021 (67.89%) registered voters. While Hays County voters tended to vote more for democrats, there were plenty of split tickets in many races and one San Marcos City Council race is headed for a runoff. A new sheriff was elected, and the Hays County Road Bond was also approved.
Donald J. Trump, republican, is now the United States President once again, winning with 276 electoral votes versus Kamala D. Harris’ 223. However, among Hays County voters only, Harris received 65,294 votes, and Trump received 58,299 votes.
Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, republican, has defeated Colin Allred, democrat. Among Hays County voters only, Allred received 67,243 preliminary votes, and Cruz received 54,301 preliminary votes.
For San Marcos Mayor, the candidate that led the race with 14,128 votes (58.98%) is incumbent Jane Hughson. Juan Miguel Arredondo received 9,825 votes (41.02%).
The Daily Record reached out to Hughson for comment but has not heard back as of time of press.
For San Marcos City Council Place 6, the candidate that led the race with 13,140 votes (64.16%) was Amanda Rodriguez. Maraya Dunn received 7,341 votes (35.84%).
The city of San Marcos stated that the election results will be canvassed and the swearing in ceremony for Hughson and Rodriguez will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at City Hall.
Rodriguez thanked the people of San Marcos and the volunteers and organizers that made the grassroots movement that made this victory possible.
“In a time when national politics often leave us divided and fearful of what the future holds, I am deeply proud to stand here knowing that, no matter the challenges ahead, San Marcos will be okay,” Rodriguez said. “Together, we will lead this state — and this nation — by example, showing the world what it truly means to love and uplift a community. Our work will be guided by principles that honor the inherent dignity of every individual, not just as consumers, but as human beings — especially those that have too often been forgotten or ignored.”
For San Marcos City Council Place 5, the city of San Marcos said there will be a runoff election between candidates Lorenzo Gonzalez, who received 6,391 votes (32.42%), and Roland Saucedo, who received 5,181 votes (26.28%). Griffin Spell received 4,783 votes (24.26%). Atom Von Arndt received 3,360 votes (17.04%).
“The runoff election will take place Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024,” the city stated. “The results of the runoff election will be canvassed and a swearing in ceremony for the City Council, Place 5 winner will take place in Dec. following the runoff election.”
For Hays County Commissioner Pct. 1, Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, democrat, ran unopposed and received 16,612 votes.
For Hays County Commissioner Pct. 3, the candidate that led with 18,109 votes was Morgan Hammer, republican. Rebecca Minnick received 16,176 votes.
“I am extremely blessed and thankful for the support I received in Hays County,” Hammer said.
“I'm glad it came out in my favor. I ran a hard campaign and worked really, really hard to secure this win, and the work has just now begun. I'm humbled and privileged to be in this position, and I can't wait to be the next county commissioner. Also, I very much appreciate my opponent Rebecca Minnick; she did an outstanding job and ran a very respectable campaign.”
For Hays County Sheriff, the candidate that led the race with 63,301 votes was Anthony Hipolito Jr., republican. Alex Villalobos, democrat, received 56,833 votes.
Hipolito said that the message of his campaign from day one has been people over party.
“Hays County is a special place. I grew up here. I've lived here since 1985,” Hipolito said. “As law enforcement, we shouldn't have to pick a political party. Because if you call 911, we don't ask you if you are republican or democrat. We ask you, ‘What's your emergency?’ So in order for me to win this race, I had to get crossover support. The results showed that. But at the end of the day, I think our message resonated with the citizens of Hays County. They want to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and they want their kids to feel safe in school.”
For Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector, Jennifer M. Escobar, democrat, ran unopposed and received 77,862 votes.
For Hays County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Place 1, Jo Anne Prado ran unopposed and received 23,500 votes.
For Hays County Constable Pct. 1, David L. Peterson, democrat, ran unopposed and received 23,700 votes.
For Hays County Constable Pct. 3, Don Montague, republican, ran unopposed and received 8,187 votes.
For Hays County District Clerk, the candidate that led the race with 62,266 votes was Amanda K. Calvert, democrat. Philip Muzzy, republican, received 56,374 votes.
For 22nd Judicial District Judge, R. Bruce Boyer, republican, ran unopposed and received 79,001 votes.
For 453rd Judicial District Judge, Sherri K. Tibbe, democrat, ran unopposed and received 76,319 votes.
For 483rd Judicial District Judge, the candidate that led the race with 62,414 votes was Alicia Key, democrat. Tanner Neidhardt, republican, received 56,380 votes.
For County Court-at-Law Number 3 Judge, the candidate that led the race with 62,047 votes was Elaine S. Brown. Robert E. Updegrove received 57,228 votes.
For U.S. Representative, District 21, Chip Roy, republican, has defeated Kristin Hook, democrat. Among Hays County voters only, Roy received 36,966 votes, and Hook received 29,999 votes.
For U.S. Representative, District 35, Greg Casar, democrat, has defeated Steven Wright, republican. Among Hays County voters, Casar received 32,798 votes, and Wright received 20,671 votes.
For State Senator, District 25, Donna Campbell, republican, defeated Merrie Fox, democrat. Among Hays County voters, Campbell received 29,581 votes and Fox received 20,417 votes.
For State Representative, District 45, Erin Zwiener, democrat, has defeated Tennyson G. Moreno, republican. Among Hays County voters, Zwiener received 52,759 votes, and Moreno received 40,228 votes.
For State Representative, District 73, Carrie Isaac, republican, defeated Sally Duval, democrat. Among Hays County voters, Isaac received 16,796 votes, and Duval received 10,853 votes.
Hays County Proposition A — road bond, was approved with 64,422 votes in favor and 51,130 against. According to Hays County documents, the bond would increase taxes two cents per every $100 of taxable property value and will address various road improvements across the county.
San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, Proposition A — voter approved tax rate election, was approved with 15,285 votes. There were 11,043 votes against it. According to the school district website, the total tax rate will be $1.0152, which represents a 0.024 total tax rate increase from the prior year and will generate a net of $2.8 million in additional M&O funds for San Marcos CISD, not subject to recapture.
