UPDATED: County Commissioner Will Conley Announces Campaign For County Judge, Sends Resignation Letter

“These are critical times, and I’m running for county judge to keep up the fight so our families can enjoy a high quality of life for generations to come…”

On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Hays County Commissioner Will Conley announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Hays County Judge in the 2018 election.

In August, Hays County Judge Bert Cobb announced he would be absent for an “indefinite amount of time” from the Commissioners dais to begin treatment for Leukemia. He will not be seeking re-election when his term ends next year.

“We have achieved tremendous results with amazing job growth, safer and well-planned transportation, drastically improved public safety and balanced budgets while managing some of the fastest population growth in America,” Conley said. “These are critical times, and I’m running for county judge to keep up the fight so our families can enjoy a high quality of life for generations to come.”

On Jan. 1, 2018, Conley will have served as Hays County Commissioner for Precinct 3, which includes San Marcos and Wimberley, for 13 consecutive years. He was first elected in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

Conley is Chairman of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, CAMPO, for the sixth consecutive year. He is the first person outside of Travis County to be elected to lead the 43-year old regional transportation board.

During his time in office, Conley has led the Hays County partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation; the partnership has brought over $500 million in upgrades to state highways within Hays County.

He has lead public safety initiatives to improve emergency communications, upgrade officer training and safety and prepare standard response protocols for every school in Hays County.

Since taking office, Conley has positioned the county with its highest bond rating and level of savings in history and led the charge for new tax relief for seniors and disabled citizens. He also negotiated to bring major employers to the county. His pro-jobs policies spurred a wave of new business investment, leading CNN Money to feature Hays County for the nation’s third highest rate of job growth.

He is one of the founders of the Greater San Marcos Partnership and has remained on the board since his time as President of GSMP.

Conley owns Conley Enterprises, an automotive services company. The family owned business opened in 2001 with a car wash and car detail center in San Marcos. In 2009, Conley Enterprises expanded to include an Express Lube next door.

In December 2015, the Conley family announced their San Marcos location had been sold to a company out of San Antonio. The site officially closed with its final day of operations on Dec. 15, 2015.

However, Conley currently owns and operates an additional auto services company with locations in Wimberley and Kyle.

He and his wife, Erin Conley (neé Habingreither), live in Wimberley with their daughter and two boys.

Conley will be resigning his position as Hays County Commissioner in order to run for Hays County Judge as required by state law. His resignation will take affect once a replacement has been appointed.

“I am deeply grateful to this county, and especially the residents of San Marcos and the Wimberley Valley. When I first came to Hays County as a college student, I never imagined that I would start a business here, raise a family and build so many lifelong relationships. Serving this community is the honor of a lifetime, and I am excited about what we can do together in the future,” said Conley.

Conley will kick off his campaign on Nov. 7 at the Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood. For more information, visit www.VoteWillConley.com.