Plumbing 
Yeackle, Kothmann win commissioner spots in Republican primary
Pete Luna|Leader-News
Uvalde County attorney John Dodson and Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Brandon McCutchen celebrate after they won their party’s nomination for county attorney and Pct. 2 constable, respectively, in the Republican Party primary. Dodson does not presently have an opponent for the November general election, and McCutchen will face Democratic Party nominee Lupe Martinez. Dodson and McCutchen were both present for the Uvalde Leader-News election party on March 5.
A runoff is set May 28 between incumbent Ruben Nolasco and challenger Otto Arnim for Uvalde County Sheriff because none of four Republican primary candidates secured more than 50 percent of the vote.
The low voter turnout dismayed two sheriff’s office candidates. About 27.42 percent of the 17,554 registered voters participated in the March 5 primary election.
All vote tallies are unofficial until they are canvassed. The Democratic Party did not field any candidates for the sheriff’s race. Unless a write-in candidate files for a spot in the general election, the runoff winner will hold the office.
The deadline to file as a write-in candidate for the Nov. 5 general election is Aug. 19.
Election night results show Nolasco ahead with 1,510 votes, or 38.76 percent, and Arnim with 1,127 votes, or 28.93 percent of the of the 3,896 votes cast in this race.
The third and fourth place candidates shared about 32 percent of the vote.
“First and foremost I would like to thank God, without him this wouldn’t of been possible. I’m deeply grateful to the citizens of Uvalde County for exercising their right to vote and I humbly ask for your continued support in the May runoff,” Nolasco said.
“As your sheriff I will remain committed to the citizens of Uvalde County while strengthening the sheriffs office into the modern day, law-enforcement of today. I would like to assure everyone that my door is always open, I am here for you. Together, we can empower one another.”
Nolasco said people may reach him at the sheriff’s office, 830-278-4111, or by email, sheriff@uvaldecounty.com.
Arnim said he believes this is the most important election year of the past 100 years.
“I’m extremely grateful to the people that had faith and trust in me, and that came out and voted. I’m very disappointed in the low voter turnout, for the whole county, not just Uvalde,” Arnim said.
Melissa Federspill|Leader-News
Kassandra Martinez, mother of Robb Elementary School survivor AJ Martinez, congratulates Otto Arnim on his second-place finish for the Uvalde County Republican Party’s nomination for sheriff. Neither frontrunner and incumbent Ruben Nolasco nor Arnim received more than 50 percent of the vote, so the two will face each other again in a runoff set May 28. Martinez and Arnim were both on hand for the Uvalde Leader-News election party, a tradition dating back decades, held March 5.
He said he plans to focus on specialized training for deputies on border-related issues if elected.
“The most important thing is, we have to beg people to come back and vote one more time, or I will not make it. People have to vote for their candidate one more time to be successful.”
Freddy Mares came in third, garnering 904 votes, 23.20 percent. Mares did not respond to a request for comment before this story was published.
Armando M. Garcia came in fourth with 355 votes, for 9.11 percent.
Garcia remains optimistic about a bright future, with plans to continue serving as Kinney County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy, in a community he describes as beautiful.
“I wish the best to the citizens of Uvalde County and may God bless them and provide the knowledge, skills and courage to all elected officials so that all decisions made will be at the best interest of the community,” Garcia said.
“It has been my pleasure to have served the citizens of Uvalde County for over 20 years. I have seen kids grow up from crawling stages through high school.”
Garcia said he hoped to see about three times the voter turnout, closer to the number of registered voters. He suggested election changes to boost turnout, such as simplifying voting processes.
Garcia suggested county commissioners should consider consolidating polling places within Uvalde on election day, allowing city limit residents to vote at one place, like the Willie De Leon Civic Center. He said he feels this might eliminate election day confusion where people turn up at the wrong polling place or do not know where to vote.
There were 89 undervotes, where people voting did not choose any of the four candidates in the race, and three overvotes, where voters selected more than one candidate.
In Texas, a winner needs a majority of votes, 50 percent plus one vote.
For the sheriff’s office runoff, those who voted in the Republican primary or didn’t vote at all can participate. Anyone who voted in the Democratic Party primary are not able to vote in the Republican Party runoff.
Commissioners
John Yeackle won reelection to the Precinct 1 seat, and newcomer Roy Kothmann defeated two challengers for the Precinct 3 position.
Yeackle received 573 votes, or 66.94 percent of the 856 votes cast.
“I’m excited and grateful for being reelected by my constituents,” Yeackle said.
“People restored my faith that they vote at the local level for the person, regardless of party, the best person for the job. That renews my faith in our community.”
Challenger Bill Dozier received 283 votes, for 33.06 percent.
“I want to thank everybody that voted for me. Thank you to my opponent, Henry John Yeackle IV, for a clean campaign,” Dozier said. “May God bless everybody.”
There were 40 undervotes and no overvotes.
People residing in voting precincts 1 and 12 saw this race on their ballot.
Yeackle was first elected in 2020, when Commissioner Randy Scheide retired after over three decades.
Yeackle and Dozier vied for the position four years ago in the general election, with Yeackle as a Democrat and Dozier as a Republican. That November of 2020 race was closer, with Yeackle garnering 1,386 votes and Dozier receiving 1,124 votes.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Jerry W. Bates announced last year he is retiring on Dec. 31, 2024.
Kothmann, Lucas Chapman and Pierson D. Ray, signed up as Republican candidates.
Kothmann received 850, or 57.55 percent of the 1,477 votes cast.
“I want to thank all all the voters of Precinct 3, and all the voters of Uvalde County. There were some strong races. I’m glad the voters have spoken, and I look forward to working with the winning candidates,” Kothmann said.
Chapman did not comment for this story. He received 357 votes, for 24.17 percent.
Ray received 850 votes, for 18.28 percent.
“I want to congratulate Roy Kothmann on his win, I wish him the best of luck these next four years as Commissioner of Precinct 3. As for me, these past six months have been an incredible journey,” Ray said.
“I extend a heartfelt thank you to the communities of Uvalde, Knippa, Sabinal, Utopia and Concan. To the 270 individuals who believed in and rallied behind my vision, your support means the world to me; it’s a victory in itself.”
Ray said he has no regrets, and he is steadfast in his political path. He said he hopes his campaign serves as a catalyst for change and reminds people politics transcends age boundaries.
There were 92 undervotes and one overvote.
Voters residing in precincts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 saw this race on the Republican primary ballot.
Attorney, party chair
Incumbent John P. Dodson prevailed over challenger Justin Wolbert.
Dodson received 2,448 votes, 67.05 percent of the 3,651 votes cast.
Dodson has held the spot since 2002. On Sept. 12, 2022, he told county officials that his wife and family had moved to another part of Texas. He and his wife own Garner Abstract and Land Co., at 318 E. Nopal, and he said he rents a residence here and claims residency in Uvalde.
“I am grateful to the voters of Uvalde County for my re-election and the opportunity to serve the citizens of this wonderful County for another four years. I am humbled by their overwhelming support,” Dodson said.
“With the recent addition of an assistant county attorney as a result of grant funding from SB 22, I plan to expand on the services and prosecution that my office is tasked with under the law.”
Wolbert received 1,203 votes, for 32.95 percent.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who took the time out of their day and placed a vote. I especially appreciate everyone who supported the vision of community-centered change and who wanted to see the community grow, progress become better and stronger,” Wolbert said.
“Moving forward I plan on helping the community as I am able from supporting our educators, youth, and increasing community awareness. I had a learning curve from running in my first election and will do better in the future.”
There were 334 undervotes and three overvotes.
Uvalde County Republican Party Chair incumbent Rhonda Vigil lost to challenger Charles W. Downing.
Vigil, a local businesswoman, succeeded Deniece Michalle Berry as the local Republican party leader in fall of 2022. Vigil received 1,467 votes, 40.37 percent of the 3,634 votes cast.
Downing received 2,167 votes, 59.63 percent.
Downing is a local attorney who graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. He co-owns the building that houses Uvalde Rexall, and has Ruby’s Lounge.
He and his wife, Laura McGehee Downing, a core coach at the Uvalde Dual Language Academy, have three children, Millie, Rowan, and Lewis, attending St. Philip’s Episcopal School. Downing has said he foresees a promising future for the local party, which has been attracting new members.
There were 353 undervotes and one overvote.
jkeeble@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335
