Dr. Michelle Gutierrez Cohen is best known in Hays County as Precinct 2 Commissioner, a position she has held since 2023. The 40‑year county resident grew up in the area and earned a doctorate in management in organizational leadership. Her biography on the county website states that her lifelong commitment to community advocacy and her public‑service experience prepare her to serve residents effectively. Precinct 2 runs along the Interstate 35 corridor from east Buda to downtown Kyle. Although it is the smallest precinct geographically, it contains dense subdivisions and businesses, making constituent service a major focus for Cohen.
Cohen serves on numerous boards, including the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS), multiple tax‑increment reinvestment zones in Kyle, the Hays County Food Bank, the Judicial Review Board and the Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation. She also helps lead the Kyle Sportsplex Taskforce and the Clear Air Coalition. The county biography notes that she manages the grassroots group Hays Latinos United and mentors children affected by parental incarceration through the Seedling Mentor Program. Cohen even wrote a children’s book, A Day in the Life of a Hays County Commissioner, to explain how local government works.
Campaign launch
Cohen announced on Dec. 5, 2025 that she would not seek re‑election as Precinct 2 commissioner and would instead file to run for Hays County judge. In her campaign release, she said she had spent considerable time reflecting on the county’s needs and concluded that “no municipality can address the challenges alone.” She described the current judge, Ruben Becerra, as a “controversial incumbent” and argued that the county needs a leader who develops long‑range plans, demonstrates empathy and fosters collaboration rather than alienation (these remarks come from the news release provided by the campaign). Cohen said she intends to preserve natural resources, manage growth, enhance infrastructure and public health, and foster economic stability. She highlighted accomplishments during her current term, such as improving roads in East Hays, securing the county’s first mobile vaccine unit, creating an animal‑welfare division, hiring Hays County’s first county administrator and purchasing its first county building.
Cohen’s supporters have planned a “Christmas Cumbia Kickoff” fundraiser at the Gemstone Palace in Kyle on Dec. 16 from 6–8 p.m. The event is advertised as co‑hosted by Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe and features local leaders such as past Kyle Mayor Lucy Johnson, council member Alyssa Garza and trustee Miguel Arredondo. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP and sponsor the event. The gathering aims to build momentum heading into the March 2026 primary.
Three‑way Democratic primary
The March primary for Hays County judge will feature at least three Democratic contenders. Besides Cohen, Judge Ruben Becerra has already filed for re‑election. The Hays County website lists his term of office as 2022–2026. On Dec. 3, prior Rollingwood police detective, and current Hays County reserve deputy constable Joel Martin announced his candidacy; in his release he pitched a platform of “servant leadership” and promised to modernize county operations, invest in employees and make collaboration second nature. The Democratic primary will therefore pit Cohen and Martin against the incumbent judge.
State law does not require Cohen to resign as commissioner to run for county judge. The Texas Constitution automatically vacates certain county offices if the officeholder becomes a candidate for another office more than one year and 30 days before their current term expires . Because Cohen’s commissioner term ends in December 2026, she is within the one‑year‑and‑30‑day window when filing for the March 2026 primary. Therefore, she can maintain her post while campaigning for judge.
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