photography courtesy of Community Impact

View Candidate Questionnaire

Bio:

Gregory Klaus is a lifelong Bastrop County resident whose life has been rooted in service to his country and community. A graduate of Bastrop High School and a United States Navy veteran, Gregory returned home and built a career as a small business owner, operating Klaus Heating & Air and serving families for over 45 years. Those years gave him firsthand experience with hard work, budgeting, responsibility, and the challenges local families and businesses face.
Judge Klaus was elected Bastrop County Judge in 2022 and has brought that same practical, community-focused approach to county government. In his role, he works closely with Commissioners Court, county departments, first responders, and community partners on issues affecting Bastrop County’s future, including public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, budgeting, economic development, and responsible growth.
During his time in office, Bastrop County has moved forward on several projects, including the ongoing Bastrop County jail expansion, construction of a new Development Services building, planning for a new Justice Center, the establishment of a county Public Health Department, the creation of Emergency Services District No. 3, and the purchase of land for the future expansion of the Bastrop County Animal Shelter.
As Bastrop County continues to grow, Judge Klaus believes it is important to plan carefully while protecting the qualities that make the county a special place to live. His priorities include fiscal responsibility, strong public safety services, responsible growth, infrastructure planning, and protecting the county’s water resources. With large developments, including data centers and other major projects, coming to Bastrop County, he believes local leaders must carefully consider their effects on roads, water, emergency services, and neighboring communities while continuing to seek the local authority needed to manage growth responsibly.
Giving back to his community has always been important to Gregory. He served for many years as a Veterans of Foreign Wars commander and remains involved in local civic and community organizations, including the Knights of Columbus.
Gregory and his wife, Kalda, have been married for more than 50 years and are longtime members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne. Their children, grandchildren, and extended family also call Bastrop County home.
Judge Klaus is seeking re-election as Bastrop County Judge with a continued focus on public safety and responsible planning for the county’s future, and helping ensure Bastrop County remains a strong place to live, work, raise a family, and call home.

photography courtesy of Community Impact

View Candidate Questionnaire

BIO:

Dock Jackson, a fifth generation Bastropian is a long time community leader with extensive experience in public service, public policy and local government. He served nearly 3 decades on the Bastrop City Council and earned the Certified Municipal Official designation from the Texas Municipal League Institute. He retired from Bastrop County after nearly 10 years of combined service in the County Judge’s Office and County Clerk and Justice of the Peace offices.
His government experience also includes serving as Special Events Manager for the City Of Austin and as the City Of Elgin’s first Parks and Recreation Director.
Jackson has served numerous local and Statewide boards and committees, including the Texas Municipal League Board of Directors and Executive Committee where he still serves as Past President, Bastrop Main Street Board, Bastrop Economic Development Board and State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee.
A dedicated Bastrop County community leader for more than 30 years, Jackson has served as Past Chair of the Kerr Community Center Advisory Board and currently serves on the CASA Board of Directors and the City of Bastrop Zoning Board of Adjustment and Cultural Arts Committee. He is also a Founding Life Member of the Bastrop County African American Cultural Center. Jackson established the Bastrop County MLK Holiday Commission and it’s annual walk which provides scholarships to students across Bastrop County. He also helped form the county’s first Juneteenth Committee more than 40 years ago.
Jackson remains actively involved throughout Bastrop County and continues his lifelong commitment to public service, leadership and community engagement.

photography and questionaire courtesy of Community Impact

photography and questionaire courtesy of Community Impact

BIO: 30 years of Leadership, Social Worker. Expertise in sexual and domestic violence, homelessness, mental health.

Website: https://kathammertx.com

If elected, what would be your three highest priorities for Bastrop County Precinct 4?

Continue to advocate, fight against data centers entering our community. Improve communication with constituents and ensure that all interested community members have opportunity to participate in local government. Build relationships with county department heads and county staff, current commissioners in Bastrop and other counties. Listen to all constituents.

Precinct 4 maintains more than 200 miles of roads and continued growth around Elgin and nearby rural communities. Which road and drainage improvements should be prioritized, and how would you fund them?

This will require a review of existing data- history of flooding, anticipated areas of growth, issues reported, public safety, etc. Priorities should be established through data and transparency. Evaluation of current budget and funding, reviewing assessments and petition projects, and making choices based on data, need, and community involvement.

What steps would you take to remain accessible to Precinct 4 residents and represent their priorities on Commissioners Court?

I intend to have quarterly town hall meetings, regular office hours, virtual evening hours utilizing social media, attending community meetings, creating a newsletter. When elected, the position of County Commissioner will be my only commitment outside of volunteering in our community. Working with all stakeholders is my priority.