In Texas, a County Judge acts as the executive head of county government, presiding over the Commissioners Court (the county's governing body) to manage budgets, infrastructure, and county operations, similar to a mayor, while also handling specific judicial duties like probate, mental health, and misdemeanor cases, especially in smaller counties where they're more judicial; they serve as the county's official spokesperson and emergency manager.

2026 Candidates

• Kristen Hoyt*

• Kayne Parrish

• Deb Hindman

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans PAC.

A county commissioner is a local policymaker, part of the county's legislative body (the Commissioners Court), responsible for overseeing county administration, managing the budget, setting tax rates, and making decisions on crucial services like roads, public health, public safety (jails, sheriff), and infrastructure, essentially acting as a legislator for county-level issues and managing the county's business affairs, often with specific duties for their precinct.

2026 Candidates (Precinct 2)

• John Stratemann

• Steve Minus

• Steven Rollins

2026 Candidates (Precinct 4)

• Jenn Crownover*

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans

The County Clerk serves as the custodian of records and chief elections officer and is responsible for managing public records for the county, including property deeds, marriage licenses, and vital statistics like birth and death certificates. They also act as the clerk for the Commissioners Court and the Constitutional County Court, keeping their minutes and official documents.

2026 Candidates

• Ryan Bourbon-Stuart

• Mell Walkup

• LeAnn Miller

• Garrison Maurer

The statutory duties of a Criminal District Attorney include the following:

• Represent the State of Texas and victims of crimes in all criminal cases in the District Courts, County Courts-at-Law, and Justice Courts and in appeals therefrom.

• Represent the best interests of our children in Child Protective Services cases.

• Represent the victims of domestic abuse by obtaining protective orders against abusive family members.

• Represent the State of Texas and victims of crimes in ensuring that justice is rendered for juveniles accused of criminal offenses.

• Provide County Officials with written opinions or advice relating to the official duties of that official.

2026 Candidates

• Jennifer Tharp*

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans

The County Courts at Law are a specialized trial court that handles a mix of civil, criminal, and family law cases, often sharing jurisdiction with District Courts but focusing on matters like serious misdemeanors, juvenile issues, probate, guardianships, and civil suits with specific monetary limits (e.g., $500 to $250,000). Created in populous counties, these courts relieve the single constitutional county court and hear appeals from lower courts like Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts, acting as a crucial part of the local judicial system.

2026 Candidates

• Geoff Barr*

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans

A Justice of the Peace (JP) performs various legal functions, primarily handling minor legal matters like traffic tickets, small claims, landlord disputes, and issuing warrants, while also solemnizing marriages and administering oaths, acting as an accessible local judicial officer for community needs.

2026 Candidates (Precinct 1)

• Mark Long

• Tom Clark

• Susie Patterson

2026 Candidates (Precinct 2)

• Rick Walker

2026 Candidates (Precinct 3)

• Naomi Narvaiz

• Timothy Davis

• Storri Aguilar

• Barbara Harrell

• Rosa Isela Torres-Lopez

2026 Candidates (Precinct 4)

• Ashley Evans*

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans

The County Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for calculating and collecting property taxes for the county and other local entities, as well as acting as an agent for the state in processing motor vehicle titling and registration.

2026 Candidates

• Stuart Hansmann

The county GOP (Republican Party) chair serves as the primary leader and public representative for the party at the county level, working to organize party functions, support Republican candidates, and mobilize voters.

2026 Candidates

• Anita Valdez*

*endorsed by New Braunfels Young Republicans