The Vote Like A Texan civic interview series has released a new episode featuring Ricky Gleason, a candidate for Kendall County Judge, focusing on the responsibilities of county leadership and challenges facing the fast-growing Texas Hill Country region. In Texas, the County Judge serves as the chief executive officer of the county, overseeing budget priorities, emergency management, intergovernmental coordination, and the Commissioners Court. Gleason explains that his decision to run is rooted in a personal commitment to give back to his community during a period of significant change.
Gleason emphasizes that collaborative leadership is essential at the county level, requiring partnerships with cities, school districts, nonprofit organizations, first responders, and neighboring counties. He identifies emergency management, wildfire preparedness, flooding, and support for volunteer fire departments as areas where coordination and long-term planning are critically needed. This approach reflects his professional background in financial planning and business consulting, which informs his perspective on governance.
The conversation addresses growth along the Interstate 10 corridor and throughout the Texas Triangle, with Gleason rejecting simplistic pro-growth versus anti-growth narratives. Instead, he advocates for realistic, values-driven planning that respects private property rights while preserving the Hill Country's heritage, water resources, and quality of life. Water availability and regional infrastructure emerge as pivotal issues, with Gleason calling for proactive collaboration among Hill Country counties, noting that water systems, flood risks, and transportation networks do not stop at county lines.
Host Justin McKenzie frames the discussion around the civic importance of county government, highlighting how local decisions directly affect families, businesses, and future generations. The episode explores how a clear strategic vision can help Kendall County navigate growth while maintaining its community character. Gleason underscores the importance of voter participation, particularly in primary elections, encouraging residents to engage early in the electoral process. The full interview is available as part of the Vote Like A Texan series, which aims to make Texas candidates more discoverable and empower voters with substantive conversations about leadership and public service.
