Ron Cunningham

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Community spread is being called the cause of a third confirmed COVID-19 case in Llano County, Judge Ron Cunningham announced Sunday, March 29.

Local Health Authority Dr. Jack Franklin notified Cunningham and Llano Mayor Gail Lang at 10 a.m. Sunday there had been a third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Llano County and the patient's history “indicates this virus was contracted in a person-to person transmission which was not through household or known contact.”

The announcement moves Llano County into Phase 5 (Person-to-Person Spread in the Community) and Cunningham said the county “will be taking additional steps to contain and mitigate this virus in the most effective means available for Llano County.

From staff reports

On Monday, Feb. 25, President Donald Trump granted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's request for a presidential disaster declaration for 33 Texas counties, including Burnet and Llano counties.

This action provides access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant programs for impacted communities that are recovering and rebuilding following severe weather and flooding this past fall, especially the Oct. 16 Highland Lakes flood.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Llano County officially elected a new county judge in final but unofficial results during Tuesday's general election as a slate of unopposed Republican candidates filled the ballot.

New Llano County judge elected as Cunningham unseats Cunningham

Challenger Ronald “Ron” Cunningham has apparently unseated Llano County Judge Mary Cunningham in the Llano County Republican Primary, according to final but unofficial results.

The two Cunninghams are not related, despite having the same last name.

Ron Cunningham received 2,140 votes, or 54.05 percent to 1,819, or 45.95 percent, for Mary Cunningham. Because there is not a Democratic opponent, Ron Cunningham will be sworn in as the new county judge in January.

Meanwhile, incumbent Llano County Clerk Marci Hadeler and incumbent Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke each survived primary challenges. Hadeler received 2,049 votes, or 56.03 percent, to 1,608, or 43.97 percent, for her challenger, Clay Etter.

Raschke received 618 votes, or 62.36 percent, while challenger Ricky Johnson received 373, or 37.64 percent.

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Provided no one else has filed to run for the position, the next Llano County judge is guaranteed to be someone with the last name Cunningham.

Incumbent Llano County Judge Mary Cunningham has filed for re-election and faces a March 6 Republican primary challenge from former DPS trooper and government contractor Ronald “Ron” Cunningham of Llano.

The deadline to file for a place on the March 6 GOP or Democratic primary ballot was 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. No Democratic candidates had announced for the position as of the Highlander's deadline, so it appears the winner of the March 6 primary will run unopposed in November for the county's top executive position.

There are five other contested races on the March 6 Republican primary ballot. Incumbent County Clerk Marci Hadeler of Castell has drawn a re-election opponent in Clay Etter of Llano.