Big contested races expected for 2026 primaries in Highland Lakes
Party filings for the 2026 primaries opened on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning the official races for Republican and Democratic nominations for elected positions in Burnet and Llano counties. The filing window does not close until Dec. 8, but some major races already have multiple runners.
The 2026 primary election is set for March 3. For local races in Burnet and Llano counties, historically, the Republican nominee goes on to win in the general election due to the lack of a Democratic challenger. Party voters will also decide on state and national races at the polls.
The total list of candidates for the upcoming primaries will not be known until the Dec. 8 filing window closes.
Burnet County
Races of note
County judge
As of Monday, Nov. 10, Alan Trevino and Bryan Wilson have publicly filed to run for the Republican nomination in the race for Burnet County judge. This race is months in the making, with both men having competed for the appointment to the judge’s seat in early 2025 after the resignation of former judge James Oakley in December 2024. Wilson ultimately won the appointment in March and Trevino has been lobbying for the job since Oakley’s exit.
Precinct 2 commissioner
Incumbent Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle publicly launched his campaign for reelection on Nov. 6.
At least one challenger is running for the Precinct 2 nomination, Leonard Guenter. He filed campaign treasurer paperwork in July and has been publicly campaigning since January.
All Burnet County races:
- County judge
- Precinct 2 commissioner
- Precinct 4 commissioner
- County Court At Law judge
- District clerk
- County clerk
- County treasurer
- Precinct 1 justice of the peace
- Precinct 2 justice of the peace
- Precinct 3 justice of the peace
- Precinct 4 justice of the peace
Llano County
Races of note
County judge
At least two runners have appeared for the Llano County judge race since current judge Ron Cunningham announced in September that he would not be running for reelection.
Sunrise Beach Village Mayor Rob Hardy and Llano County resident Richard Kepp are both actively campaigning for the Republican nomination in March.
Precinct 2 commissioner
Incumbent Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke filed her campaign treasurer paperwork with Llano County, indicating a run for reelection.
Raschke may have a challenger as at least one person, Jason Hughes, has filed paperwork for a campaign treasurer for the Precinct 2 commissioner seat.
All Llano County races:
- County judge
- Precinct 2 commissioner
- Precinct 4 commissioner
- County Court At Law judge
- District clerk
- County clerk
- County treasurer
- Precinct 1 justice of the peace
- Precinct 2 justice of the peace
- Precinct 3 justice of the peace
- Precinct 4 justice of the peace
Oh look, an appointed incumbent who was NOT elected by any voters, is running for Burnet County Judge – wasn’t that labeled by a commissioner or two, and an applicant, as an ‘unfair advantage’??