Commission race in March primary ballot spotlight Many candidates unopposed; prepare to face off in November

BY JEFF B. FLINN Managing Editor

One local primary election race highlights the ballot voters will see when participating in the March 5 primary election.

Several state and national candidates are listed on the ballot that Kendall County residents will see when selecting the candidates they hope to see compete in the November 2024 general election.

While most Kendall County positions feature unopposed candidates, one Kendall County Commissioners Court seat is up for grabs, with Precinct 1 incumbent Commissioner Christina Bergmann facing a challenge from Kendall resident Jennifer McCall on the Republican ballot. Bergmann, a life-long Boerne resident, said maintaining a good quality of life, ensuring and promoting public safety, and improving and updating roadways are among her main concerns as the community continues to grow.

Her 30-plus years of service to her hometown and county began at age 16 when she joined the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department as its first female firefighter. Currently, in addition to her role as Commissioner of Precinct 1 and commission Judge Pro-Tem, Bergmann served two terms on the Boerne City Council.

She has served on Boerne’s Historic Landmark Commission and spent over 30 years with the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department. She also serves as a board member for the Cibolo Preserve FROM PAGE 1

BALLOT

Board, Secretary for the Rotary Club of Boerne, Director for the 100 Club of Kendall County, and Director for the Boerne Chamber Advisory Board.

She was recently inducted into the Boerne Independent School District’s Distinguished Alumni.

Bergmann is a 1999 graduate of Texas State University with a major in business management.

She has also completed the Commissioners Court Advance Curriculum through the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.

McCall, a lifelong Republican, said her goal to run for the Precinct 1 commission seat is “to preserve what is unique in our country by representing the needs and desires of our citizens.”

McCall has assisted her husband with his remodeling business for the past 32 years. She was a Silver Sneakers and Trekking instructor at the YMCA, and most recently, the office manager for a local physician.

Major county priorities include support for law enforcement, fire protection, road and bridges, health and safety, and natural resources.

McCall said several key issues facing the county are, and will continue to be, transportation, development, and water availability. She said she intends to do the research and gather citizen input to come up with viable answers.

Health is one of her biggest passions. She has volunteered countless hours through various athletic and health organizations, supporting local groups and charities.

Local candidates who face no opposition in the Republican primary and will see no opposition in November include Kendall County Sheriff Al Auxier, County Tax Assessor-Collector James Hudson, Precinct 3 County Commissioner Richard Chapman, and all four county constables, Todd Setliff in Precinct 1, Paul Knoll in Precinct 2, Gene Serene in 3, and Brian Vaughan in 4.

The November race for the District 19 seat in the Texas House of Representatives sees two Democrats, Dwain Handley and Zach Vance, competing to face the Republican winner in March, with incumbent Rep. Ellen Troxclair facing two GOP opponents, Manny Campos and Kyle Biedermann.

State Sen. Donna Campbell, District 25, is unopposed in the March primary, but will face Democratic challenger Merrie Fox in November. Fox is unopposed on the March ballot as well.

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, District 21, is also unopposed in March, but will face a challenge for his congressional seat in November from Democrat Kristin Hook, who likewise is unopposed in March.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz faces two March primary opponents, R.E. Rufus Lopez and Holland Redd Gibson, but is favored to win handily. Cruz will face the winner from among nine Democratic contenders for the senate seat in November.

The race for the presidency is on the March ballot. President Joe Biden will be nominated in the March Democratic primary, with seven fringe candidates on the ballot. Former President Donald Trump remains the clear favorite on the Republican ballot for president, with several prominent names – Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy – also on the ballot.