Party’s counsel asks Judge Rob Kelly to declare Jeremy Walther ineligible under the Texas Election Code; response requested by October 15
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Republican Party of Kerr County and Commissioner Rich Paces today called on Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly to declare independent candidate Jeremy Walther ineligible for the November 3, 2026, general-election ballot for Kerr County Commissioner, Precinct 2. Kerr County’s official Republican early-voting roster shows that Mr. Walther voted in the Republican Primary Runoff on May 22, 2026. Under Texas law and the Texas Secretary of State’s 2026 guidance, a person who votes in a party’s primary or primary runoff may not appear on the general-election ballot as an independent candidate for an office for which that party nominated a candidate. Commissioner Paces won the Republican nomination for Precinct 2 in the March 3, 2026, primary.
In a letter delivered to Judge Kelly today, counsel for the Party and Commissioner Paces asked the Judge to review the public record and, as Texas Election Code § 145.003(g) provides, declare Mr. Walther ineligible and certify that declaration to the canvassing authority. The request does not seek to remove Mr. Walther’s name from the ballot, reprint ballots, or delay early voting, which begins October 19. The letter requests a written response by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, and states that the Party is prepared to seek expedited relief in district court if necessary. The letter also directs county officials to preserve all records and communications related to Mr. Walther’s candidacy.
The Party is represented by James E. “Trey” Trainor, III, a partner at Dhillon Law Group Inc. and former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. Mr. Trainor was nominated to the Commission by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate.
Statement from Trey Trainor, Partner, Dhillon Law Group Inc., and Former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission
“Texas law is clear, and the Secretary of State has said so in writing: if you vote in a party’s primary or its runoff, you can’t turn around and run against that party’s nominee as an independent. The county’s own records show Mr. Walther voted in the Republican runoff. The law lets Judge Kelly act on that record now, without disrupting the election, and we’ve asked him to do so. The rules should apply to every candidate.”
Statement from Helen Herd, Chair, Kerr County Republican Party
“Jeremy Walther voted in the May 2026 Republican Primary Runoff, and under Texas law that vote disqualifies him from running as an independent against our Republican
nominee, Commissioner Rich Paces. The Secretary of State’s own 2026 guide says so plainly. When this was brought to Mr. Walther’s attention, he refused to withdraw.
“The public record showing his runoff vote was available to county officials before he was certified for the ballot. Voters deserve election officials who get the basics right, and that is why the Kerr County GOP is proud to support Republican Carl Berthold for County Clerk.
“As Republicans, we hold our candidates to the highest standards of transparency, and we are proud to support Commissioner Rich Paces for re-election.”
About the Kerr County Republican Party
The Republican Party of Kerr County works to elect Republican candidates and promote conservative principles in Kerr County, Texas. https://kerrcountygop.com
Media Contact: Helen Herd, Chair, Kerr County Republican Party, 979-777-2274, helenwherd@gmail.com