AUSTIN (KXAN) — After early voting, more than 1.8 million Texans have cast their vote ahead of the March 5 primary elections.
In Central Texas, eight counties will be voting in a county sheriff primary Tuesday. The sheriff is responsible for enforcing all local, state and federal laws.
Here are the candidates for each Central Texas race.
Bastrop County (Republican)
In Bastrop County, two candidates are running for sheriff: incumbent Sheriff Maurice Cook and Jeff Gogolewski. Cook is running for his third term and is focused on recruiting and retaining officers. Meanwhile, Gogolewski said his biggest goal for the sheriff’s office is bringing in new technology.
Caldwell County (Republican)
Alberto Luna is running against incumbent Mike Lane for Caldwell County Sheriff. Lane, who was elected in 2020, has nearly 25 years of experience in law enforcement. Luna worked in the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office as a detective before he transferred to the county’s District Attorney’s Office.
Gillespie County (Republican)
Republicans Chris Ayala and Nick Krupa are on the ballot against incumbent Sheriff Buddy Mills. Mills was elected Gillespie County sheriff in 2009 and is the immediate past president of the Sheriffs Association of Texas . Both Ayala and Krupa have backgrounds in law enforcement.
Hays County (Democratic)
In Hays County, two candidates are vying for the Democrat spot on the ballot this fall: Daniel Law and Alex Villalobos. Republican incumbent Gary Cutler is not running for reelection. Instead, Anthony Hippolito, the only Republican running to be the Hays County sheriff, will face the Democratic primary winner.
Law served as the Caldwell County Sheriff for 20 years before coming to Hays County three years ago, he said. Law said the biggest issues currently facing Hays County are staffing and outsourcing inmates to other jails. Villalobos currently works as Hays County’s Chief of Staff. Before that, he worked with the Texas State University’s Police Department for a decade and was a Kyle city council member. Villalobos cited staffing, outsourcing inmates and modernizing the office as issues he plans to address if he gets the job.
Lampasas County (Republican)
Current Lampasas County Sheriff Jesus G. Ramos faces former U.S. Border Patrol officer David Parker (R). Ramos is seeking his third term as sheriff.
Lee County (Republican)
Republican Garrett C. Durrenberger was sworn in as the Lee County Sheriff in 2023 by his grandfather, Judge John Durrenberger. Nancy Ann Voight Kasper is running against him.
Llano County (Republican)
Llano Police Department Patrol Sergeant Les Hartman and former U.S. veteran and Texas Ranger Marquis Cantu are vying for Llano County Sheriff. Both contenders have backgrounds in law enforcement and deep roots in Llano County. Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Cantu for the position.
San Saba County (Republican)
Current San Saba County Sheriff David L. Jenkins is running against lifetime San Saba resident and Deputy Sheriff Dwayne “Bubba” Shaw and past sheriff Allen Brown.