New Llano County sheriff, commissioner sworn in

Llano County’s new sheriff, Marquis Cantu (left), swears in five deputies at a ceremony at the Llano County Courthouse on New Year’s Day 2025. Cantu was sworn in at midnight prior to the ceremony. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Newly elected and re-elected Llano County officials took their oaths of office on Wednesday, Jan. 1. New officials include the sheriff, the Kingsland-area commissioner, the district attorney, and two constables.
NEW OFFICIALS: 2025-28
Marquis Cantu
Llano County Sheriff
Outgoing: Bill Blackburn
Marquis Cantu was sworn into office by Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. The new sheriff told DailyTrib.com he immediately got to work, participating in an arrest and intake before attending a countywide swearing-in ceremony at the Llano County Courthouse later that day.
“I promised the people that as soon as I was sworn in, I’d hit the streets, and I did,” he said.
Cantu replaced Sheriff Bill Blackburn, who had served the office for 16 years. He secured the position after winning the Republican nomination in May, defeating opponent Les Hartman. No Democrat ran for sheriff, ensuring Cantu’s victory on Nov 5.
Brent Richards
Precinct 3 Commissioner
Outgoing: Mike Sandoval
Brent Richards was sworn in to office at the Llano County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Wednesday. He replaced outgoing Commissioner Mike Sandoval, who served Precinct 3 since 2017 and did not run for re-election.
“My goal is to help the constituents of my precinct and hopefully get some things cleaned up that my people want done and address whatever people want to have addressed,” Richards told DailyTrib.com.
He also said he plans to hold town hall meetings as he settles into the office to get a better idea of what residents. Precinct 3 is the smallest but most densely populated precinct in the county and includes the Kingsland area.
Richards defeated opponent Bull Guthrie in a Republican primary runoff in May, securing his party’s nomination. He was unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.
Perry Thomas
District Attorney for the 33rd/424th Judicial Districts
Outgoing: Wiley “Sonny” McAfee
Perry Thomas took office as district attorney on Wednesday morning. Burnet, Blanco, Llano, and San Saba counties are within his jurisdiction. He succeeds Wiley “Sonny” McAfee, who did not run for re-election.
“I’m not stepping into it blindly,” Thomas told DailyTrib.com. “I know just about everyone involved in the justice system already, so I can hit the ground running.”
Thomas, a seasoned prosecutor with 24 years of experience in Jefferson County, also served as the first assistant district attorney under McAfee for four years. He opened his own office as a defense attorney, The Law Office of Perry Thomas, nearly five years ago.
“I’m really excited to get started,” he said of his new job. “I look forward to working for the people of this district.”
Thomas plans to enhance coordination between law enforcement agencies across county lines, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to address issues like drug-related crimes.
“The sheriffs and law enforcement agencies here already have a great working relationship, and I’ll work to coordinate efforts across all four counties to tackle key issues,” he said.
Thomas secured his new office after winning the Republican primary in March 2024 against opponent Marie Primm. He ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.
Tim McLean
Llano County Precinct 3 Constable
Outgoing: Bill Edwards
Tim McLean was sworn in as Precinct 3 constable on Wednesday morning at the Llano County Courthouse. McLean replaced Bill Edwards, who did not run for re-election after 22 years on the job.
McLean is familiar with the county and his new precinct, having served as a Llano County sheriff’s deputy for the last 14 years, mainly in the Kingsland and Buchanan Dam areas.
He defeated write-in candidate William Koch in the Nov. 5 general election.
Michael Scoggins
Llano County Precinct 4 Constable
Outgoing: Joe “Buck” Simpson Jr.
Michael Scoggins was sworn in as the Precinct 4 constable on Wednesday morning at the Llano County Courthouse.
He replaces Joe Buck Simpson Jr., who did not run re-election after serving Llano County for 40 years.
Scoggins ran unopposed in the Republican primary in March 2024 and the Nov. 5 general election.
RETURNING OFFICIALS: 2025-28
- 33rd District Judge J. Allan Garrett
- Llano County Attorney Dwain Rogers
- Llano County Clerk Cecilia McClintock
- Llano County Tax Assessor-Collector Kris Fogelberg
- Llano County Precinct 1 Commissioner Peter Jones
- Llano County Precinct 1 Constable Gary Silver
- Llano County Precinct 2 Constable Richard Harris