Candidates from the Williamson County Democratic Party won all four countywide contested races in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to party chair Kim Gilby. "It's been a long time coming. We've been chipping away for years," Gilby said.
Heather Jefts, a small-business owner and former Cedar Park City Council member, defeated Republican Steve Snell for Williamson County judge by nearly 10 points. Jefts will be the first woman to hold the office and the first Democrat in 40 years. Democrat Harmon Rhea beat incumbent Republican Ross Boles for Precinct 4 commissioner by a similar margin. Democrats Erin Block and Eric Hanke also won the county clerk and tax assessor-collector races.
Jefts credited Gilby and the party for coordinating the slate. She said her campaign worked to reach rural voters and the county's growing Latino and South Asian communities. Jefts said the support gives her a mandate "to make some real change," and she said she plans to focus on rebuilding trust between residents and government.