George Morales has taken an early lead in the race for the Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner seat, as indicated by the initial results from early voting. He is competing against fellow Democrat Susanna Ledesma-Woody in a contest for a position that has remained unchanged for over thirty years.
The current race follows a closely contested primary in March, with no Republican candidates vying for the role. The winner will succeed Margaret Gomez, who held the position until her retirement announcement last year. The commissioners court, comprised of four precinct members and one at-large judge, plays a critical role in setting the county’s tax rate and managing a substantial $2.2 billion budget, which supports various essential services including roads, healthcare, and emergency services.
Morales, who previously served as the Travis County Constable for Precinct 4, emphasized his commitment to uniting a community that he believes has been overlooked. He stated that his primary focus as commissioner would be to address road repairs and enhance collaboration with other governmental entities, such as CapMetro and Central Health.
Ledesma-Woody, on her third campaign attempt for the commissioner role, expressed her intention to provide a fresh perspective in the commissioners court. She highlighted her independence from traditional political networks, asserting, “My focus is people first, always before politics.” With 15 years of experience on the Del Valle ISD school board, Ledesma-Woody aims to scrutinize the county’s budget to secure funding for necessary infrastructure improvements in Southeast Travis County.
It is important to note that all results remain unofficial until they undergo the canvassing process.
