New County Judge Takes Oath of Office
Newly Elected and Re-elected Officials Take Oaths, Begin Service to Hays County
Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – Following a private, official swearing-in minutes after midnight on January 1, County Judge Ruben Becerra held a ceremonial oath-taking in front of the public January 2 at the Hays County Courthouse, becoming the first Latino County Judge in Hays County history. He was joined by new County Clerk Dr. Elaine Cardenas, who was also sworn in by Judge Linda Rodriguez.
City of Kyle Councilmember District 6 Daphne Tenorio welcomed the overflow crowd to the ceremony in the Commissioners Courtroom.
After being sworn in, Judge Becerra swore-in Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Scott Cary, who was re-elected to office.
“I am grateful for the privilege to be working for the residents of Hays County,” Becerra said. “I will forever be humbled. Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
A small-business owner – Gill’s Broiler & Manske Roll Bakery in San Marcos – Becerra has served on the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Arts Commission, and Parks and Recreation Board, San Marcos CISD Bond Oversight Committee, San Marcos Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, Gary Job Corps Community Relations Council, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, and Texas Bobcat Athletic Foundation, among other area organizations.
Judge Becerra recently celebrated his 26th wedding anniversary with his wife, Monica Mendez Becerra. They have two children, Cristian and Ruben Jr., who is presently serving as student body President at Texas State University.
Joining him on staff are Alex Villalobos as Chief of Staff and Anita Collins as Executive Assistant.
Dr. Cardenas expressed her enthusiasm for starting work officially after getting a head start in November and December.
“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. She invites residents of Hays County to call her or drop by to discuss the improvements.
Cardenas has had a 30-year career in executive positions for several national research firms and think tanks, including Gallup where she was an executive in the Government Division, and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) where she led a large technical team that set up and managed a complex database for the Department of Defense. At Abt Associates she managed a research program for the Office of National Drug Control Policy on college drug use, which ultimately led to the formation of the Higher Education Center on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, which she initially headed.
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, 274th District Judge Gary Steel, and 428th District Judge Bill Henry.
Judge Becerra will officiate at his first Commissioners Court meeting at 9 a.m. on January 8 at the Hays County Courthouse, 111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos, TX. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend. Commissioners Court meetings are also streamed live and archived on the County’s website.
Photos Below:
- County Judge Ruben Becerra is sworn in by Judge Linda Rodriguez while family members (left to right) brother Joe Becerra, son Ruben Jr., wife Monica Mendez Becerra, son Cristian, and mother Grace Becerra look on.
- Left to right, Judge Becerra’s brother Joe, son Ruben Jr., mother Grace Becerra, newly sworn-in County Judge Ruben Becerra, son Cristian, Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos, and Executive Assistant Anita Collins.
- Newly elected County Clerk Dr. Elaine Cardenas (left) is sworn in by Judge Linda Rodriguez.
- County Judge Ruben Becerra (center) swears in re-elected Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Scott Cary, whose wife Merry holds the Bible.
