The civic interview series Vote Like A Texan has released a new episode featuring Ricky Gleason, a candidate for Kendall County Judge in Texas, focusing on the critical role of county leadership during a period of significant regional growth. 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, whose professional background is in financial planning and business consulting, describes his decision to run as a deeply personal commitment to give back to his community.
A central theme of the conversation is the necessity for collaborative leadership. Gleason emphasizes that counties must work in partnership with cities, school districts, nonprofit organizations, first responders, and neighboring counties to effectively address shared challenges. He identifies emergency management, wildfire preparedness, flooding, and support for volunteer fire departments as areas where coordination and long-term planning are essential. This approach underscores the interconnected nature of local governance, where isolated decisions can have widespread impacts.
The discussion addresses growth along the Interstate 10 corridor and throughout the Texas Triangle, a region experiencing rapid population increases. Gleason rejects simplistic "pro-growth versus anti-growth" narratives, advocating instead for realistic, values-driven planning. He stresses the importance of respecting private property rights while actively working to preserve the Hill Country’s heritage, water resources, and overall quality of life. This balanced perspective highlights the complex trade-offs facing local officials in growing regions.
Water availability and regional infrastructure emerge as critical, non-partisan issues. Gleason calls for proactive collaboration among Hill Country counties, noting that water systems, flood risks, and transportation networks do not stop at county lines. Sustainable solutions, he argues, require intergovernmental cooperation to manage resources that are shared across jurisdictional boundaries. The interview frames county government decisions as having direct effects on families, businesses, and future generations, making strategic vision crucial.
Host Justin McKenzie explores the broader civic importance of the county judge role, highlighting how local leadership can help navigate growth while maintaining community character. Gleason concludes by underscoring 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. For more information on Gleason's campaign, visit his official website at https://www.rickygleason.com.
