Why the Kendall County Judge Matters | Candidate Ricky Gleason on Budget, Growth & Service

In this episode of Vote Like A Texan, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Ricky Gleason, a candidate for Kendall County Judge, to discuss why local county elections may be the most important votes Texans cast. In Texas, the County Judge functions as the chief executive officer of the county, overseeing budget decisions, emergency management, infrastructure planning, and coordination with cities, school districts, and neighboring counties. As a candidate for the role, Ricky shares why he decided to run, how his background in business and financial planning prepares him for public service, and why long-term strategic vision matters as Kendall County faces continued Hill Country growth. This conversation explores: What the Kendall County Judge role entails Budget oversight and fiscal responsibility Emergency management, flooding, and wildfire preparedness Volunteer fire departments and rural public safety Growth along I-10 and the Texas Triangle Water, infrastructure, and regional collaboration Why voting in the primary election matters If you live in Kendall County—or anywhere in Texas—this episode explains how county-level leadership decisions directly affect property rights, safety, and long-term community outcomes. Early Voting: February 23 Primary Election Day: March 3 Learn more about the campaign: Website: https://www.rickygleason.com/ Facebook: Ricky Gleason for Kendall County Judge Vote Like A Texan exists to make candidates discoverable, searchable, and accountable—regardless of party. Subscribe for more Texas candidate interviews and civic conversations. 00:00 – Welcome to Vote Like A Texan 00:42 – Why Ricky Gleason Decided to Run for County Judge 02:25 – What Does a Texas County Judge Actually Do? 03:00 – Managing a County Budget Like a Business 04:22 – Public Service, Boards, and Planning & Zoning Experience 05:45 – City vs County Authority in Texas 07:08 – Collaborative Leadership Across Agencies 08:54 – Emergency Management, Flooding, and Wildfire Risk 10:50 – Volunteer Fire Departments and Rural Safety 13:57 – Growth Pressure in Kendall County and the Hill Country 14:37 – Property Rights, Planning, and Infrastructure 17:44 – Long-Term Vision: 10–20 Year Decisions 18:14 – Boomerang Texans and Community Legacy 19:05 – Water, Regional Cooperation, and Hill Country Counties 20:25 – Why Regional Collaboration Matters 21:00 – Primary Election Dates and Voter Turnout 21:55 – Where to Learn More and Final Thoughts