Walter D. Meinshausen
— 2026 Hardin County Race —
Magistrate / Justice of the Peace
Hardin County is divided into eight Magistrate (Justice of the Peace) districts. Each district elects its own representative to Fiscal Court — the body that controls the county budget, road funds, and many local ordinances. Use the menu below to jump to your district.
About this page. Hardin Local invited every filed candidate in every contested primary to a free 20-minute on-camera interview. Order within each contest is by ballot position. Edited videos are added as they are produced; until then, you'll find a link to the live broadcast where applicable. Candidates who chose not to participate are still listed so you can see the full ballot.
Magistrate District 1
No primary contest in either party. Both candidates advance directly to the November 3, 2026 general election.
Republican
Uncontested · 1 candidateDemocratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateChris Yates
Magistrate District 2
Kevin Johnson (R) withdrew on March 4, 2026. With no Republican on the ballot, Kenny Saltsman (D) is unopposed in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Democratic
Unopposed in NovemberKenny Saltsman
Republican
WithdrawnKevin W. Johnson
Magistrate District 3
No primary contest in either party. Both candidates advance directly to the November 3, 2026 general election.
Republican
Uncontested · 1 candidatePatsy Whitehead
Democratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateE. Spencer Keck
Magistrate District 4
✅ Fred Clem Jr. won the May 19 Republican primary and advances to the November 3 general against Travis Leffew (D), who was unopposed in his primary.
Republican Primary
Gordon vs Clem Jr.Christy Gordon
Fred Clem Jr.
Democratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateTravis Leffew
Magistrate District 5
✅ Aaron Pennington won the May 19 Republican primary and advances to the November 3 general against Jim Becker (D), who was unopposed in his primary.
Republican Primary
Ray vs PenningtonWayne M. Ray
Aaron Pennington
Democratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateJim Becker
Magistrate District 6
✅ William Jason Buckles won the May 19 three-way Republican primary and advances to the November 3 general against Frederick Jerome Thomas (D), who was unopposed in his primary.
Republican Primary
Simpson vs Buckles vs ReynoldsNicholas Lee Simpson
William Jason Buckles
Interview Wed, April 29 · 1:30 PM (Marathon)
Edited video published.
📘 Also on Facebook →
📹 Raw marathon stream →
T. Stacy Reynolds
Democratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateFrederick Jerome Thomas
Magistrate District 7
✅ Larry Allen Hicks won the May 19 three-way Republican primary and advances to the November 3 general against Stephen Mapp (D), who was unopposed in his primary.
Republican Primary
Hicks vs Humphrey vs GearyLarry Allen Hicks
Zach Humphrey
Interview Wed, April 29 · 2:30 PM (Marathon)
Edited video published.
📘 Also on Facebook →
📹 Raw marathon stream →
Robin L. Geary
Democratic
Uncontested · 1 candidateStephen Mapp
Magistrate District 8
✅ Kenny Muse won the May 19 Republican primary by just 2 votes (583–581 over Jonathan "Jon" Breeding). No Democrat filed, so Muse runs unopposed in November. Results are unofficial pending certification.
Republican Primary
Muse vs BreedingKenny Muse
Jonathan "Jon" Breeding
What happens after May 19
The winner of each contested primary faces the other party's nominee in the November 3, 2026 general election. Districts with no contested primary on either side go straight to the general. Hardin Local will revisit Magistrate races ahead of November — possibilities include paid follow-up interviews, re-airs of the primary interviews, or head-to-head debates if both nominees are interested.