Early voting results put George Morales in a comfortable lead over Susanna Ledesma-Woody for Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner.
The two local Democrats are vying for the commissioners court seat after a close race in March. No Republican candidates ran for the position.
The winner will be the first new commissioner representing Precinct 4, which covers a large chunk of South and Southeast Travis County, in over three decades. The position was previously held by Margaret Gomez, who announced her retirement last year.
The commissioners court is made up of four members who each oversee a precinct and one at-large judge. The court sets the county’s tax rate and manages spending of a $2.2 billion budget, which goes toward the jail, roads, parks, healthcare and housing for low-income residents, emergency services, affordable childcare and more.
Morales, who served as the Travis County Constable for Precinct 4 for nearly a decade before stepping down to run for this position, told KUT News he ran to unite a community that has long been neglected.
He said his top priority as commissioner would be fixing roads in the area and improving communication between other governmental entities, like CapMetro and Central Health.
Ledesma-Woody is running for the position for the third time. She told KUT News she ran to bring a different perspective to the commissioners court.
“I don’t have the political machine connection driving any of what I do,” she said. “My focus is people first, always before politics.”
Ledesma-Woody has 15 years of experience serving on the Del Valle ISD school board. She said her top priority as commissioner would be examining the county’s budget to ensure there’s funding for infrastructure upgrades in Southeast Travis County.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.