Hays County Democrats took the rare step of deposing a countywide incumbent officeholder, replacing County Judge Elizabeth Sumter on the ticket with Pct. 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton in Tuesday’s primary election.

It was only half an hour after the polls closed on election night, a time when most candidates were anxiously tallying ballot boxes, but Mark Jones was already riding high on a resounding political victory.

Hays County Judge Elizabeth Sumter debates fellow Democratic Party challenger Pct. 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton at the San Marcos Area League of Women Voter’s debate on Feb. 11.

Republicans Peggy Jones, a San Marcos business owner, and Bert Cobb, a San Marcos surgeon, face off for their party’s nomination for Hays County Judge. League of Women Voters February debate between Republican candidates for Hays County Judge.

With election season upon her, County Judge Elizabeth Sumter has mustered a passion for fiscal discipline, holding up road and building projects that have been in the works for years and which she funded in her proposed budget just months ago.

Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Jeff Barton today announced a bid for county judge, making official an intra-Democratic Party showdown with incumbent Elizabeth Sumter.

As he has been signaling he would do for months, Hays CISD trustee Mark Jones this week formally jumped in the race for Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner.

In announcing his run, Bryant said “roads are my passion” and building them would be a priority.

It’s hardly a secret that Jeff Barton wants to be county judge and might already have the job had he not talked himself out of running against Jim Powers in 2006. Now he’s making his move.

The addition of an overpass where the Buda truck bypass connects with Interstate 35 is Hays County’s top priority for funding from the federal economic stimulus package.