Incumbent Klaus leads Loucks in Bastrop County judge GOP primary

Early voting results show Klaus ahead by a wide margin in the Republican primary race for Bastrop County judge.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Early voting results show incumbent Gregory Klaus leading Donald Loucks by a wide margin in the Republican primary for Bastrop County judge. Klaus was winning 65% of the vote to Loucks' 35%. The winner will face off against Dock Jackson, the only Democrat vying for the position, in November.

Why it matters

This is the second time in four years that Klaus and Loucks have run against each other to be the Republican nominee for Bastrop County judge. The county judge serves a four-year term and chairs the Commissioners Court, the county's governing body.

The details

In 2022, Klaus received 55% of the vote to defeat Loucks in a GOP primary runoff in May before being elected county judge by winning the general election in November against Jackson. Klaus, 75, is a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and previously owned an air-conditioning and heating business. Loucks, 77, is a former county commissioner, a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and a former volunteer firefighter.

  • Early voting results are from 2026-03-04.

The players

Gregory Klaus

The 75-year-old incumbent Bastrop County judge and a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He previously owned an air-conditioning and heating business.

Donald Loucks

The 77-year-old former Bastrop County commissioner, retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, and former volunteer firefighter who is challenging Klaus in the Republican primary.

Dock Jackson

The only Democrat vying for the Bastrop County judge position.

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What they’re saying

“I'm familiar with county operations, budgeting and working with the Commissioners Court and other departments.”

— Gregory Klaus, Incumbent Bastrop County judge (statesman.com)

“At the same time, we want to protect our rural way of life, water resources and overall quality of life.”

— Gregory Klaus, Incumbent Bastrop County judge (statesman.com)

“The biggest challenges the county faces are growth, overdevelopment and related issues such as traffic, schools, infrastructure, public safety, property taxes and managed development.”

— Donald Loucks, Challenger for Bastrop County judge (statesman.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Republican primary will face off against Dock Jackson, the only Democrat vying for the Bastrop County judge position, in the November general election.

The takeaway

This primary race highlights the ongoing challenges Bastrop County faces with rapid growth and development, and the differing approaches the Republican candidates have for addressing those issues as the county's top elected official.