SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra held a ceremonial oath-taking in front of the public at the Hays County Courthouse on Jan. 2, becoming the first Latino County Judge in the history of the county.
Judge Becerra was joined by new County Clerk Dr. Elaine Cardenas, who was also sworn in by Judge Linda Rodriguez.
This oath-taking followed a private, official swearing-in that happened minutes after midnight on New Year's Day.
“I am grateful for the privilege to be working for the residents of Hays County,” Judge Becerra said. “I will forever be humbled. Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
After being sworn in himself, Judge Becerra swore in re-elected Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Scott Cary.
Judge Becerra is the owner of Gill's Boiler & Manske Roll Bakery in San Marcos and has served on the City of San Marcos’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Board, the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and many other area foundations and organizations.
PHOTOS: Hays County swears in first Latino county judge
Joining him on staff are Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos and Executive Assistant Anita Collins.
Dr. Cardenas has had a 30-year career in executive positions for several national research firms and think tanks. One of her projects was managing a research program for the Office of National Drug Control Policy on college drug use, which led to the formation of the Higher Education Center on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, which she was initially the head of.
Dr. Cardenas is enthusiastic about officially starting work after getting a head start in the last few months.
"We are already working on improvements that will make it much easier for the people of Hays County to do business with the County Clerk’s office,” Cardenas said.
Judge Becerra will officiate at his first Commissioners Court meeting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 8 at the Hays County Courthouse.
Other newly elected County officials include Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, County Court-at-Law #2 Judge Chris Johnson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 John Burns, and Hays County Treasurer Britney Bolton Richey. Appointed by the Commissioners Court recently to the new County-Court-at-Law #3 bench is Judge Tacie Zelhart, and State District Judge David Junkin was appointed by the Governor to serve Hays County in the new 453rd Judicial District Court. Re-elected to their respective offices are Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Beth Smith and Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Andy Cable, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, County Court-at-Law #1 Judge Robert Updegrove, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1 Maggie Hernandez Moreno, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Beth Smith, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Andy Cable, District Attorney Wes Mau, District Clerk Beverly Crumley, 207th District Judge Jack Robison, and 428th District Judge Bill Henry. 274th District Judge Gary Steel was re-elected to his office and was sworn in on Jan. 3.
