Burnet County candidate profiles; DailyTrib forum Feb. 3

The 2026 primary elections are fast approaching, and there are contested races for the Republican nomination for some of the highest offices in Burnet County government. DailyTrib has compiled candidate profiles on the Republican candidates that are running for Burnet County Judge and Burnet County Precinct 2 Commissioner.

DailyTrib is also hosting a forum featuring all of the Republican candidates starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson Street in Burnet. The forum will also be livestreamed and available for later viewing on the DailyTrib Youtube channel. 

The winners of the Republican nomination in the upcoming primaries will almost certainly take office in 2027, as there are no Democratic challengers on the ballot.

Important election dates and information

• The last day to register to vote in the primary election is Feb. 2
• Early voting runs Feb. 17-27
• Election Day is March 3

Learn more about the upcoming election on the Texas Secretary of State website and the Burnet County Elections Administration website. 

Candidate profiles

Each candidate was contacted by email and asked the same questions to assemble the following profiles. The information provided is from the candidates themselves, but it has been edited for spelling, grammar, and punctuation by DailyTrib staff.

Burnet County judge

The Burnet County judge serves as the chair of the Burnet County Commissioners Court and as the chief budget officer for the county. They are one of five voting members of the Commissioners Court that decide on county policies; determine the county’s budget; and represent the county at the local, state, and federal levels. 

The Burnet County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, has an annual salary of $113,337.88. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.

Bryan Wilson

Bryan Wilson, is the incumbent Burnet County judge. He was appointed to the county judge’s seat in March 2025 following a lengthy selection process that was created by the Burnet County Commissioners Court to fill the position following the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024.

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Wilson: 

Burnet County is our home. My wife has lived in the area for 30 years, and I for 14 years. 

We’ve raised children and grandchildren here, supported community events, our church, and invested our lives here. 

When the opportunity to apply for county judge opened, we believed that my degrees from Texas Tech and 34 years of managing county and statewide programs using data-driven, cost-effective governance could make a positive impact. 

Most of us take for granted how much our government takes compared to the benefits it provides.

DailyTrib: Can you offer a brief work history accompanied by years on the job?

Wilson:

I’ve been a rancher, a small-business owner, and a public servant my whole life. 

I began my career as a landscaper in Bastrop and Austin and started Wilson’s Nursery. Walmart moved in and reshaped the small town’s business climate. I know firsthand the impacts big corporations can have on a small community. 

I then began my career as a multi-county probation officer. I continued working in probation while also serving as a law enforcement instructor at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. I also managed an apple orchard at this time. After completing my Master’s degree, I moved back to Bastrop.

My 34 years of public service are dedicated to protecting communities and delivering results for Texas taxpayers. I managed statewide programs across Texas, working with all 254 counties to deliver data-driven, cost-effective solutions. My work includes implementing the Fair Defense Act, helping establish the Supreme Court Children’s Commission, expanding substance abuse treatment, and directing 24 motor vehicle theft task forces, 236 law enforcement officers, coordinating with over 100 different agencies, and working with state, federal, and international partners to combat motor vehicle crime. 

I’ve responsibly managed millions in taxpayer funds, with a focus on efficiency and results. I bring proven leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a deep commitment to keeping Burnet County safe.

DailyTrib: Can you share any experience you have with public service or volunteerism?

Wilson: 

I’ve been a Christian since 1979. I led and coordinated with many churches in Bastrop, Texas, to send aid to help people in the garbage dumps of Colonia Alto Vista, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. I taught children’s ministry for years in Levelland and Bastrop.

I have served in various roles in my community. I was an election judge, extension service president, city planning and zoning commission member, chamber of commerce member, and community organizer. I served as an organizing member of the Texas Right to Life Committee at its inception, and I co-founded the Bastrop Concerned Taxpayers to block a 25 percent increase in property taxes. 

My wife, Holly, and I are members of Vanderveer Street Church of Christ, and I still teach Bible study occasionally at Vanderveer and at Hill Country Fellowship. I am a board member for the Shady Grove Cemetery Association. 

I am a Rotarian and belong to three chambers of commerce.

DailyTrib: If you had five key points about your platform or intentions if elected, what would they be?

Wilson: 

1. Continue working on and implementing a long-term capital improvement plan for our transportation system.

2. Complete a plan and restore our historic courthouse while meeting our future growth.

3. Continue my work making Burnet County more accountable to voters and taxpayers with sound governance and lower taxes.

4. Finalize the modernization of our regional emergency communication network to enhance response times and public safety.

5. Fight the use of Burnet County land by outside corporations (rail, power lines, etc.)

Alan Trevino

Alan Trevino is the chief deputy of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office. Trevino announced his bid for Burnet County judge immediately after the resignation of former Burnet County Judge James Oakley in December 2024 and has been campaigning since then.

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Trevino: 

I am running for Burnet County Judge because that is where I can make the most positive impact on the lives of Burnet County residents. 

I truly want to make Burnet County the best version of what Burnet County can be. 

I am a relationship-builder, a problem-solver, and I get the job done. I want to work with all of the commissioners, elected officials and department heads to serve the best interests of the county.

DailyTrib: Can you offer a brief work history accompanied by years on the job?

Trevino:

Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Highway Patrol, and Governor’s Protective Detail, 1988-2008. (Now) honorably retired.

Owner and CEO of Sentry Security & Investigations, 2003-present.

Chief deputy of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, Aug. 29, 2022-present.

DailyTrib: Can you share any experience you have with public service or volunteerism?

Trevino:

My career in law enforcement has been as a public servant, both with (the Texas Department of Public Safety) and now as chief deputy (of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office). 

• Appointed to the Private Security Board by Governor Greg Abbott.
• Served on the Department of Public Safety Private Security Advisory Board
• Appointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board by Governor Greg Abbott.
• Served on the Board of Directors for the 100 Club of Central Texas.
• Serve on the Board of the Highland Lakes Boys & Girls Club.
• Served as President of the Association of Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas.
• Served as President of the Headwaters of the San Gabriel (Property Owners Association).
• Serve as Training Coordinator for the BCSO Training Advisory Board
• Served as a delegate for the Travis County Republican Party.

DailyTrib: If you had five key points about your platform or intentions if elected, what would they be?

Trevino:

• Lead with integrity and ethics
• Fiscal responsibility and budget management with accountability.
• Transparency and open communication
• Unify county government and build external relationships
• Establish a strategic short and long term plan to address growth and infrastructure

Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner

The Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Burnet County Commissioners Court. The court is the governing body of the county and responsible for determining county policy; setting the budget; and representing the county at the local, state, and federal levels. The Precinct 2 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and public infrastructure within that precinct, which covers most of northeast Burnet County. 

Burnet County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $95,742.83. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.

Damon Beierle

Damon Beierle is the incumbent Precinct 2 commissioner. Beierle is in the midst of his second term, having first been elected in 2019. 

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Beierle: 

I am running for re-election in Burnet County because I care deeply about the county I call home and the people who live here. 

I believe county government should be responsible, transparent, and focused on results. I want to protect taxpayers by budgeting wisely while investing in roads, infrastructure, and essential services. 

Public safety and emergency response must remain strong and well supported. 

I listen to residents, work collaboratively, and make decisions based on common sense, not politics. My goal is to preserve Burnet County’s values while planning responsibly for growth and leaving a better county for future generations ahead.

DailyTrib: Can you offer a brief work history accompanied by years on the job?

Beierle:

I have served as Pct. 2 commissioner for seven years beginning in 2019. Since 2005 my family has owned and operated Double Eagle Entertainment. 

Prior to that I owned Litco Services, LLC since 2001 which was sold in 2020.

DailyTrib: Can you share any experience you have with public service or volunteerism?

Beierle: 

• I started as a volunteer for the Burnet Chamber of Commerce serving on their board since 2007. 

• Appointed to the Burnet County Rodeo Board of Directors and have served since 2009. 

• Rotary Club of Burnet member since 2009, serving on their board since 2011, I was board president for three years during that time. 

• I served on the Republican Club Board as (vice president) in 2015/16. 

• Started serving on the Court Appointed Special Advocates for the Highland Lakes Board since 2017, currently serving as president. 

• Since 2019 I have been on the Bertram Chamber of Commerce Board serving as vice presidents. Selected to be on the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Education Foundation Board of Directors since 2024 currently serving as President. 

• Since 2014, I have served on 4 BCISD bond advisory committees, two BCISD Bond oversight committees and two BCISD facility advisory committees. 

• I help out annually with fundraisers for these organizations: The Highland Lakes Service League, The Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center, The Hill Country Humane Society, FFA Friends and Family, Burnet County Livestock Show, The YMCA of the Highland Lakes and The Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes. 

• We are members of Hill Country Fellowship where I have served on the Worship Team since 2014.

DailyTrib: If you had five key points about your platform or intentions if elected, what would they be?

Beierle: 

1. Continue to enhance the road system throughout Precinct 2

2. Continue to protect our groundwater and aquifers from over development and wasteful use.

3. Defend Burnet County against outside interests who want to use us for their own gains and provide no benefit to the citizens.

4. Use the funds we have to enhance public safety and law enforcement and not raise taxes.

5. No new debt. We have built a fund balance that can help us repair and expand existing county facilities to accommodate our growth.

Leonard Guenter

Leonard Guenter is from Burnet County and this appears to be his first time entering the local political arena according to his campaign page biography.

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Guenter:

I am running for county commissioner because I believe Precinct 2 needs strong leadership. A commissioner’s main duties are to help create a responsible budget with common sense spending and maintain our county roads and infrastructure. 

Our county roads are in need of major repairs, and many of our county buildings need attention.

We have buildings that leak, AC/heat problems and other issues. I have the experience and knowledge to oversee the projects that need to be done.

DailyTrib: Can you offer a brief work history accompanied by years on the job?

Guenter:

40 years in construction, 30 years owning my own (general contractor) company with residential and commercial development including roads, drainage, city infrastructure projects, water plants, sewer plants, underground utilities in Austin, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio.

I have knowledge of bidding, budgeting, and managing multi-million dollar projects.

I can operate every piece of equipment that the county owns. I can manage and be of great help to the road crew.

DailyTrib: Can you share any experience you have with public service or volunteerism?

Guenter:

I previously served on (Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 7) in its inception. I am (vice president) of the Friends of Joppa Community (501.c3 nonprofit organization).

DailyTrib: If you had five key points about your platform or intentions if elected, what would they be?

Guenter:

• Since I am retired, I’m available– I bring my time which I feel is a major asset with everything that is affecting our county at this time.

• With the experience and knowledge that I bring, I feel that I am more than capable of fulfilling this job.

• I can operate every piece of equipment that the county owns. I can manage and be of great help to the road crew.

• I’m flexible– I will work with other state and local agencies to tackle the issues affecting our county.

• I’m not running for fame or fortune. I believe I can bring my experience in making good investments in my personal ventures, and I would like to bring that vision to the county and spend our tax dollars wisely.

dakota@thepicayune.com