Llano County candidate profiles; DailyTrib forum Feb. 12

The 2026 primary elections are fast approaching, and there are contested races for the Republican nomination for some of the highest offices in Llano County government. DailyTrib has compiled candidate profiles on the Republican candidates that are running for Llano County judge and Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner. 

DailyTrib is also hosting a forum featuring all of the Republican candidates starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Llano County Community Center, 2340 W. Haynie Street in Llano. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for meet and greet opportunities with the candidates.

The forum will also be livestreamed and available for later viewing on the DailyTrib Youtube channel. 

The winner of the Republican nomination for county judge will almost certainly take office in 2027 due to the lack of a Democratic challenger in the general election. The winner of the nomination for Precinct 4 commissioner will likely go on to face the Democratic candidate, Leila Green Little, in the November general election. 

Important election dates and information

• The last day to register to vote in the primary election was 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 Llano County Elections Office 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, punctuation, and space by DailyTrib staff.

Llano County judge

The Llano County judge serves as the chair of the Llano 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 Llano County judge serves a four-year term and, as of 2025, earns an annual salary of $80,009. There are no term limits for serving as county judge.

Incumbent Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham did not file for reelection.

Rob Hardy

Rob Hardy is the mayor of Sunrise Beach Village and has a background in healthcare and also serves on the Llano Regional Hospital Board of Directors.

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Hardy:

I feel that I have the ability to serve the county. I will say that I am what you might call a “reluctant politician,” as I do not especially enjoy the running of a campaign. However, I do embrace the service aspect of the job. I have seen the great work that the Commissioners Court and other elected county officials and staff have done and will continue to do, and want to be able to contribute to that.

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

Hardy:

• 2024-Present: Mayor – City of Sunrise Beach
• 2023-2024: Councilmember – City of Sunrise Beach
• 2015-Present: Medical Practice/Healthcare Consultant
• 2022-Present: Licensed Realtor
• 2012-2013: CEO – Kings Daughters Clinic-Temple
• 2007-2013: Chief Administrative Officer – Austin Pathology Associates
• 2003-2007: Chief Operating Officer/Associate Executive Director – Scott and White
• 2000-2003: CEO – Murfreesboro Medical Center
• 1996-2000: Administrator – Austin Diagnostic Clinic
• 1992-1996: Administrator-Travis Physician Associates
• 1977-1991: Commander/Senior Paramedic – Austin Emergency Medical Services

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

Hardy: 

• Rotarian from 2000-2015. President of Rotary Club of Georgetown
• Vice Chair/Trustee Llano Regional Hospital. Served as Interim CEO after County took back operations February 4, 2025.
• Sunrise Beach VFD/ESD 5 Commander
• President/Captain-Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse
• Chairman of the Board/Director – Federated Church of SRB – termed out
• City Representative – Capitol Area Council of Governments
• Williamson County ESD 8 Commissioner
• Director-Williamson County Board of Health
• Founding Board Member – Georgetown Neuroscience Institute

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

Hardy:

I will phrase that in terms of priorities, in no particular order:

•  Water – this is not just an issue in Llano County, or in the Hill Country, but the entire state. I intend to engage our elected officials in Austin to make sure this issue stays uppermost, and to work with landowners, municipalities, and regulatory agencies such as LCRA and TCEQ to make sure we have representation.

• Growth – Llano County is an absolute jewel in the Texas Hill Country, but we must manage growth. Kingsland is an essential part of our County, but due to it being unincorporated, it is left up to the county to manage. I will work closely with the Precinct 3 commissioner, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as Kingsland Water and Kingsland Municipal Utility District to manage growth in the middle of the County. In Llano and points west, I will work closely with the Precinct 4 commissioner, the Llano City Council, and the Llano Economic Development Committee, to promote tourism and manage those growth industries that may approach us as to their impact on our environment.

• Public Safety/Health Care – Working with the Llano Sheriff’s Department, the county emergency coordinator, and the various volunteer fire departments and emergency service districts and municipal governments, I will do everything in my power to make sure they have sufficient resources to continue to provide these essential services to our citizens. The Llano Regional Hospital will continue to be a central focus in our ability to provide essential service in our County, and I will continue to work very closely with their leadership to ensure their continued viability.

• County Staff – I will work closely with our county’s human resource department to make sure our staff are compensated fairly, and that we are getting the very best benefits package that we can. Staff are a critical piece of our infrastructure, and we must focus on staff retention as well as being competitive with recruitment.

• Above all, I believe in transparency. Being responsive to the citizens is paramount. I intend to work closely with the Cities of Llano, Sunrise Beach, and Horseshoe Bay, as well as our unincorporated communities, to ensure that they have a voice in County government. I think this Commissioners Court does an excellent job of providing information to citizens, but we can always improve.

DailyTrib: Can you share where you were born, where you grew up, places you have lived, and your history in Llano County?

Hardy:

• Born Frankfurt Germany on military base– father was career Army

• Grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Father 4th generation from Fort Worth, Mother 4th generation Central Texas. Have ancestors buried in City Cemetery in San Marcos dating to the 1800’s

• Been coming to Lakes LBJ and Buchanan since college days, as I was an avid sailor (Captain of the UT Sailing Team)

• Owned weekend lake house in Kingsland since 2013 – moved full time to Sunrise Beach in 2001.

Richard Kepp

Richard Kepp has a background in safety and risk management. He is also an active member of the Llano community. 

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Kepp:

This is a demanding job, and I understand why few people are willing to take it on. I have spent over 30 years managing people, processes, and assets in high-pressure environments, and I am comfortable with the weight of this position.

I am running to serve my community and to earn the trust of Llano County. I bring a practical, steady approach to leadership, with a focus on team building, fiscal responsibility, and developing people to serve the county well.

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

Kepp:

• General (1991–2000)
  -Contract Manager, IBM
  -Division Manager, Motorola Sourcing Team

• KIK Corporation (11 years Consumer Goods)
  -International Employee Relations & Benefits Manager – 3 years
  -Director of EHS overseeing Insurance, Chemical Security, and Critical Processes – 8 years

• Shintech (3 years Highly Hazardous Chemical Production)
  -EHS Superintendent

• Halliburton / Athlon (3 years  Highly Hazardous Chemical Production) hank
  -EHS Superintendent

• Montrose (7 years, current Consultation, Testing and Treatment)
  -Director of Insurance and Risk Management

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

Kepp:

Much of my professional career has centered on emergency response, public safety, and community protection. I have served on community advisory committees, local emergency planning committees, and mutual aid organizations.

Personally, I have served as a firefighter, medical responder, board member for a local community college, and volunteer with youth sports and civic organizations like Lions and Rotary.

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

Kepp:

1. Stabilize the County Budget
   Prepare for the budget process with fellow elected officials, maintaining consistency with recent years and meeting the August deadline. The goal is to remain steady or reduce this tax burden.

1. Ensure Fiscal Discipline and Compliance
   Build a responsible budget that controls costs while meeting audit requirements, public safety needs, and state mandates. First 30–60 days will focus on capital projects, legislation, required judicial training, and understanding county staff and resources.

1. Protect Conservative Governance
   Llano County has become a target for liberal legal organizations. I will continue the current administration’s efforts to defend conservative values and local control.

1. Responsible Growth and Development
   Most of Llano County lacks the water resources to support large-scale residential or industrial development. We must plan carefully and work with economic development partners to protect our county long-term.

1. Improve Efficiency Through Partnerships
   Explore opportunities to better leverage county assets—hospital growth, senior care programs, shared services, youth sports, agriculture engagement, animal shelter support, and economic development.  Although these are not all priorities, they are opportunities for improvement which may positively impact the citizens of Llano.

DailyTrib: Can you share where you were born, where you grew up, places you have lived, and your history in Llano County?

Kepp:

I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. My father was a well-known physician, and our family was deeply involved in civic and community organizations.

I graduated from Southwest Texas State in 1991 and began my career in Dallas, later working in Houston and Austin. During my time with Motorola, I was assigned to major projects in Fort Worth and Seguin until the post-9/11 downturn in the tech industry.

I have had my eye on Llano County since marrying here in 1995. My wife and I spent most weekends here—on the lake or at our family ranch. In 2000, we rebuilt the original family rock home with my in-laws. During COVID, we left the city permanently and moved here full-time.

My wife’s family includes the Myers, Moss, Schneider, and Kassel families, who settled in Llano County in the 1860s. Giving back to this community has always been part of our lives. My children are 6th generation Texans.

Precinct 4 commissioner

The Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner is one of five voting members of the Llano 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 4 commissioner represents one of the four precincts in the county and is also responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, and county-owned infrastructure within that precinct that is outside of city limits. Precinct 4 includes the city of Llano and much of western Llano County.

Llano County commissioners serve four-year terms and, as of 2025, earn an annual salary of $73,786. There are no term limits for serving as a county commissioner.

Jerry Don Moss

Jerry Don Moss is the senior member of the Llano County Commissioners Court, having served as the Llano County Precinct 4 commissioner since 2007. 

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Moss: 

I am running for reelection for Llano County commissioner because that is what I do. I like working for the public and serving the community. I’ve proven that I will stand up for you and do what is best for Llano County.

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

Moss:

I started working for a mechanic and then as a mechanic in high school and a year out of high school.then I started working for a local home builder and after three years I was running one of his crews.

At the age of 22 I started working in Precinct 4 for Llano County Road and Bridge. After four years I became crew chief in Precinct 4. I remained crew chief until I decided to run for county commissioner in 2006 and was elected. I have been a Llano County Commissioner in Precinct 4 since 2007.

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

Moss:

1- I was on the Llano County Community Center Board from 2005 through 2006.

2- I was on the Llano Little League board from 2000 through 2011. I coached my son’s baseball team for 10 years and my daughters softball team for eight years during my first time on the board. I’m on that board again now 2023 to present. I also coach my grandson’s baseball team.

3- I’ve been on the Llano Crawfish Open board for 21 years. I received an award in 2025 for volunteering and supporting the Llano Crawfish Open.

4- I have managed the Llano County School Land from 2007-present.

5- I have volunteered for the Llano County stock show and sale for the last 25 years.

6- I have been on the live stock show sales committee for the last six years.

7- I have volunteered for the Llano County wild game dinner for the last 11 years.

8- I have been on the leadership advisory board for the Llano County 4-H since 2018. I received an award from the Texas AgriLife extension in 2022 for being a volunteer and friend of the AgriLife extension office.

9- I am a five-year board member of the Llano Cowboy Christmas for kids.

10- I have been a director at the Farm Bureau for 20 years

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

Moss:

1- I will continue maintaining and upgrading the Llano County road system.

2- I will continue to listen to the public and do what is right for this community.

3- I will continue to work with the commissioners court to upgrade Llano County policies, facilities, and infrastructure.

4- I will continue working with other municipalities, securing adequate EMS, and law enforcement, to protect our citizens.

5- I will support all of this and at the same time work hard and maintain a low tax rate.

DailyTrib: Can you share where you were born, where you grew up, places you have lived, and your history in Llano County?

Moss:

I was actually born in Fredericksburg, but we lived in Llano. I was raised and grew up in Llano County in Precinct 4. I’ve never moved away, always lived here. My family has been in Llano County since the 1850s.

Robert Little

Robert Little has background in finance and lives in Precinct 4. He is also married to Leila Green Little, who is running for the Precinct 4 commissioner seat as a Democrat in the November General Election.

DailyTrib: Why are you running for office?

Little:

I’m running because our current commissioner has been in the job for too long, and it shows. I want to bring professionalism, adherence to decorum and rules, and openness to this office. 

Service to Llano runs generations deep in my family. It’s my turn to serve this community, and I intend to bring approachability to the residents of Llano. 

I am tired of the commissioners’ court granting themselves raises and not paying attention to what’s important to you. I’m not in the pocket of any special interest groups, and I won’t favor one person over another. 

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

Little:

I have worked as a financial advisor for the last 20 years. I started my own firm in 2015 and have successfully grown it into 200 households. Additionally, I’m an entrepreneur who has owned multiple successful businesses. 

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

Little:

I have for the last 4 years served on the board of the Hill Country Community Action Association. 

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

Little:

1. Make a motion and advocate during the budget workshop to reduce county commissioners’ pay to match the median county employee salary. Commissioners shouldn’t make more than twice what other full-time county employees make.

2. Make a motion and advocate during the budget workshop to increase base pay for the other full-time county employees that are below the median salary. All of our county employees work hard every day for us, and they should be compensated well.

3. Provide increased scrutiny and oversight of conflicts of interest with respect to vendors who do business with the county. This will ensure that friends aren’t favored over the best contractor/vendor for the job.

4. Make a motion and advocate for the creation of a hospital district tax to support our local hospital.

5. Attend city council meetings and have regular communication with city officials about how the county and city can collaborate to best serve the city’s and the county’s mutual needs.

DailyTrib: Can you share where you were born, where you grew up, places you have lived, and your history in Llano County?

Little:

I was born in Austin and grew up in Llano.  I moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University, and lived there for a decade.  My wife and I moved to Houston to pursue career opportunities, and then moved back to Llano in 2017.  We are fortunate to live on our cattle ranch, which has been in the family since it was started in 1881.

Service to Llano runs generations deep in my family, with my grandparents having been very involved in the library’s auxiliary group, and a grandmother and mother who taught in Llano’s public schools.

About DailyTrib

DailyTrib is under the umbrella of Victory Media, a Burnet County-based, family-owned company that has been publishing news in the Highland Lakes since 1991. DailyTrib is strictly dedicated to covering the people, places, and happenings of Burnet and Llano counties at the local level.

dakota@thepicayune.com