2024 Llano County primary candidates
In Llano County, eight Republican incumbents are running unopposed for office in the March 2024 primary elections. The GOP is also fielding two candidates for sheriff with the impending retirement of Bill Blackburn, three candidates for the seat of outgoing Precinct 3 Commissioner Mike Sandoval, two candidates for Precinct 1 justice of the peace, and two candidates for district attorney. Current DA Wiley “Sonny” McAfee has chosen not to run.
Three candidates are running for District 53 state representative. Two Republicans will duke it out in March to face off against the lone Democratic candidate in the November general election.
Candidate filings for the March 5, 2024, primary elections closed at 6 p.m. Dec. 11. No Democrat filed to run for Llano County sheriff, Precinct 3 commissioner, Precinct 1 justice of the peace, or district attorney, so the winners of those GOP primary races will likely be the Nov. 5 general election victors.
SHERIFF
Two Republican candidates are battling for their party’s nomination for sheriff with Blackburn’s retirement:
- Marquis Cantu of Horseshoe Bay, former Texas Ranger and Llano County Precinct 1 justice of the peace.
- Les Hartman of Llano, Llano Police Department patrol sergeant and singer-songwriter
PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER
Three Republicans are running for the seat being vacated by Sandoval, who represents the Kingsland area:
- Bull Guthrie of Kingsland, works in real estate and is retired law enforcement
- Karen Shaw of Kingsland, administrative assistant to her church and retired from teaching and academic administration
- Brent Richards (no information could be found on the candidate)
PRECINCT 1 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Two Republicans are running for the position, which has been left vacant by sheriff candidate Cantu:
- Allen Fletcher of Llano, retired state representative
- Sam Silver of Horseshoe Bay, retired firefighter
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DA McAfee of the 33rd and 424th Judicial District is stepping down. Attorneys Marie Primm of Sunrise Beach Village and Perry Thomas of Burnet will face each other in the Republican primary. The winner will represent four counties: Burnet, Llano, Blanco, and San Saba.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
District 53 Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Junction) did not file for re-election, and three candidates are seeking his position. Rancher Hatch Smith of Llano and firearms advocate Wes Virdell of Brady will compete for the GOP nomination. Democrat Joe P. Herrera of Natalia is running unopposed in his party’s primary. Smith or Virdell will face Herrera in November.
UNOPPOSED RACES
Running without an opponent for their positions are Republican incumbents:
- 33rd Judicial District Judge Allan Garrett
- Llano County Attorney Dwain Rogers
- Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones
- County Clerk Cecilia McClintock
- Tax Assessor-Collector Kris Fogelburg
- Precinct 1 Constable Gary Silver
- Precinct 2 Constable Richard Harris
- Precinct 4 Constable Michael Scoggins