County swears in 1st Hispanic judge

The Hays County Commissioners Courtroom was packed, with people lining the walls and even sitting on the floor, for the swearing-in ceremony for Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra.

Daphne Tenorio, member of the Kyle City Council, made opening remarks at the ceremony.

“Today, Hays County makes history as we swear in our very first Hispanic Hays County judge — almost 50 years after our very first Hispanic candidate ran for this office, Dr. Jose Hinojosa,” Tenorio said.

Before taking the oath of office, Becerra asked people inside the courtroom to move in to make more space for people who were standing outside the room on the third floor.

“I’m so grateful for the full house,” he said “I really am. … You don’t know how this melts my heart. But we have some people standing outside. Would you guys mind using the rest of the wall space and coming in so they can have … they took the time in this terrible weather. Please come in, guys, please come in so you can be a part of this. This courtroom is open for all.”

Flanked by his wife, mother, brother and two sons, Becerra took the oath of office administered by former County Court at Law 2 Judge Linda Rodriguez, who also administered his official oath of office at midnight the morning of Jan. 1.

After Becerra’s swearing in, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe passed the commissioners court gavel to the new county judge.

“It is my absolute honor to hand over the gavel for the Hays County Commissioners Court,” she said. “… I thank you so much for your willingness to serve as Hays County judge.”

Becerra spoke to the crowd, thanking everyone for their role in his election.

“Some of you may be happy about it, some of you may not be,” he said. “Nevertheless, my space, my time under the sun, will be for everyone in this community. … I stand to serve everyone in this county. Not Republicans, not Democrats, all of you.”

Becerra introduced his staff members: chief of staff Alex Villalobos and executive assistant Anita Collins.

Collins said she brings experience as a filmmaker and screenwriter as well as experience she gained with data processing and IT while in the U.S. Navy.

“I will be documenting a lot of what he does and making sure that he is transparent, as he said he would be in the campaign, and talks to the people of Hays County,” she said.

Villalobos, who is a member of the Kyle City Council, has experience in public administration and law enforcement. He previously worked for the Texas State University Police Department.

“I have been in this community and worked nights and days, 24-7, every day,” he said. “... I’m honored to have this opportunity to continue in this capacity to support this community, and I will work relentlessly and tirelessly. … I’m here to serve you.”

Before Becerra’s swearing in, the new Hays County Clerk, Elaine Cardenas, took the oath of office from Rodriguez.

In his first action as county judge, Becerra administered the oath of office to Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Scott Cary, who won a re-election bid in November.

Normally, happenings in the commissioners courtroom are streamed live online, but a county spokesperson said the county clerk’s office had not made arrangements to stream the swearingin ceremony.

Following the ceremony, members of the public stayed to enjoy refreshments at the county judge’s office, located next to the courtroom on the third floor of the historic Hays County Courthouse.