Editor’s Note: A full election questionnaire for local Bandera races will appear in next week’s issue.
Early voting for the March 3 Republican and Democratic primary elections begins Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Bandera County, with local county races leading the ballot.
Early voting runs through Friday, Feb. 27. Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
BANDERA COUNTY RACES
No candidates filed for county offices in the Democratic primary. Several Republican races are contested, including county judge, district clerk and county treasurer.
Three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for Bandera County judge: Dennis Fitzgerald, Susan Junker and Kim Manglberger.
Asked by the League of Women Voters of the Hill Country Texas what training and experience qualifies him to serve, Fitzgerald said, “I am military veteran, small business owner, licensed private investigator, an experienced arbitrator and mediator. My work requires sound judgement, ethical decision- making, and leadership in complex situations. I have worked closely with courts, law enforcement, and county-level processes, giving me a strong understanding of how local government functions and serves the public.”
Junker said her background includes decades of leadership and public service.
“I have 45 years of training and experience in leadership, administration, budgeting, planning, emergency management, risk analysis, human resources, communications, contracting, investigations, and misdemeanor-level adjudication,” she said. “My leadership and communication skills were developed in business (10 years), non-profit organizations (10 years), and in the U.S. Army (25 years, retiring as a Colonel). I hold two Master’s degrees, a variety of NPO certifications, and executive training by Harvard and Carnegie Mellon. I have attended 75% of Bandera County Commissioners Court meetings in the past five years. I have led from 2 to 1,100 employees in challenging environments.”
Manglberger cited a combination of legal, law enforcement and business experience.
“I bring a unique combination of legal training, law enforcement experience, and real-world business experience,” she said. “I’m a licensed attorney and managing partner of my own law firm with experience in criminal, probate, and civil matters that routinely come before the County Judge. I’m also a licensed Texas Peace Officer and have worked for Bandera County as a Deputy Sheriff, giving me firsthand knowledge of public safety and county operations. I’ve also been a business owner for almost 20 years, which has given me extensive experience in budgeting, administration, and accountability— skills essential to serving Bandera County effectively.”
The primary for Bandera County District Clerk includes Alma Baker, Jessica Salinas and Paula (Maier) Swinney.
Baker said her qualifications are rooted in longterm county service.
“My 22 years of experience in Bandera County government qualify me to serve as District Clerk, supported by a strong background in personnel management, court administration, records management, and public service,” she said. “I have extensive experience handling legal documents, filings, and statutory deadlines that require accuracy, confidentiality, and strict compliance with Texas law.”
Salinas pointed to her court system experience.
“I have 11 years experience in the court systems in both Bandera County and Kerr County,” she said. “I have worked with up to 5 different courts and have extensive knowledge of various court systems, to include but not limited to Civil, Family, and Criminal courts. I have been the Chief Jury Coordinator since 2022 for Bandera County and before that for a year and a half in Kerr County.”
Swinney cited her professional and managerial background.
“I qualify to be Bandera County’s District Clerk because of the training and work experience received over 35 years that carries a proven track record of managerial skills needed to serve as the District Clerk of Bandera County,” she said. “I have successfully owned and operated my own business” and have experience completing contracted work for the Bandera County District Clerk’s Office.
The race for for Bandera County Treasurer includes Mickie Towers Carnes and Beverly Schmidt.
Carnes said her experience includes years of court and financial work.
“I have 16 years experience as a Court Clerk and I have over 8 years of that as the Chief Deputy Clerk for Justice of the Peace,” she said. “I manage records, supervise staff, and I handle receiving funds on a daily basis. Every dollar that comes through my office is collected, balanced, deposited and reported to the state properly. I provide accountability, honesty, dependability and I also am committed to serving our community with integrity and I am always willing to help others.”
Schmidt cited her certification and experience in county finance.
“I am a Certified Public Investment Officer with hands-on experience in county financial operations,” she said. “I served two years as Assistant Treasurer, gaining direct knowledge of daily treasury functions, county procedures, and compliance with Texas statutes. I am currently serving my second term as Treasurer, where I have responsibly overseen county funds, maintained accurate records, and ensured proper safeguarding and disbursement of public monies.”
Several Bandera County Republican races are uncontested. Candidates on the ballot without opposition include:
• 198th District Court judge: M. Patrick “Pat” Maguire
• Bandera County clerk: Tandie Mansfield
• County commissioner, Precinct 2: Greg Grothues (died Jan. 22; Bobby Harris is currently serving the unexpired term)
• County commissioner, Precinct 4: Phil Shaffer
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 1: Mike Towers
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 2: Gina Grothues
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 3: Charly Seale
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 4: Nell Hardin
STATE AND FEDERAL RACES Bandera County voters will also cast ballots in state and federal races.
In Texas Senate District 24, the primary races are uncontested. Joe Paz Herrera is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Pete Flores is unopposed in the Republican primary.
In Texas House District 53, Kathryn Hartmann is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Wes Virdell is unopposed in the Republican primary.
Voters will also select nominees in Texas Congressional District 21,
which includes Bandera County and several surrounding Hill Country counties.
The Democratic primary includes Kristin Hook, Gary Taylor and Regina Vanburg.
The Republican primary includes Daniel W. Betts, Jason Cahill, Jacques DuBose, Zeke Enriquez, Weston Martinez, Paul Rojas, Kyle Sinclair, Mark Teixeira, Heather Tessmer, James “Trey” Trainor III, Peggy McCormick Wardlaw and Mike Wheeler.
VOTING LOCATIONS
Early voting will be held at three locations, and voters may cast ballots at any early voting site, regardless of precinct:
• Ray Mauer Courthouse Annex, 403 12th St., Bandera
• Lakehills Area Library, 7200 FM 1283, Lakehills
• Medina County Annex, 161 E. Parker St., Medina On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precinct location listed on their voter registration card.
Polling locations by precinct are: • Precinct 101: Shepherd’s Gate Church Fellowship Hall, 615 Polly Peak Drive, Bandera
• Precinct 102: Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 1331 FM 1283, Pipe Creek
• Precincts 203 and 204: Lakehills Area Library, 7200 FM 1283, Lakehills
• Precinct 305: Ray Mauer Courthouse Annex, 403 12th St., Bandera
• Precinct 306: Medina County Annex, 161 E. Parker St., Medina
• Precincts 407 and 409: Bandera ISD Transportation Bus Barn, 1576 Hwy. 173 South, Bandera
• Precinct 408: Tarpley Community Center, 232 Valentine Lane, Tarpley
• Precinct 410:
Vanderpool Volunteer Fire Department, 32647 FM 187, Vanderpool Voters must present an approved photo ID at the polls. Curbside voting is available during early voting and on Election Day.
A full Bandera County Voter Guide, including complete candidate questionnaires for all races, is published by the League of Women Voters of the Hill Country Texas and is available at lwvhillcountrytexas. org.
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