Will Thompson announces candidacy for Stephens County Judge; Olcott, Fennell announce campaigns for State Rep
By Carla McKeown and Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan
The 2026 Primary Election is heating up with potential candidates already announcing their intentions to run for local and district offices. Locally, Will Thompson, the Stephens County Appraisal District’s Chief Appraiser, announced today that he intends to run for the Stephens County Judge position. In the race for State Representative – District 60, incumbent Mike Olcott and challenger Amy Fennel have announced their intentions to run.
In a Facebook post this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 3, Thompson announced his candidacy for the county judge position.
“I am a fifth-generation resident of Stephens County. Like many young adults graduating from Breckenridge ISD, I left town with big dreams and no plan to return. Fourteen years later, I realized what many of you already know – Breckenridge is home,” Thompson said in the announcement. “For the last 23 years, I have lived, worked and invested in Breckenridge. Through both my career and volunteer service, one common theme has guided me: a desire to make Breckenridge and Stephens County a better place. I truly love our community and want others to love it, too. We have a history and heritage to be proud of and a great deal of opportunity and potential ahead.”
On April 10, 2025, County Judge Michael Roach announced on Facebook that he will not seek re-election.
“After much reflection, I want to share with you that I do not intend to seek re-election as Stephens County Judge. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for me and for the future leadership of our county,” Roach posted online. “… I will continue to serve through the completion of my current term, which ends in December 2026. However, as candidates for the office of County Judge must file by November of this year for the March 2026 primary, I felt it was important to share this decision now to allow for a thoughtful and open process moving forward.”
State Representative – District 60
Last week, Amy Fennell, a grandmother, small business owner, former Willow Park Councilwoman, and real estate investor, announced her candidacy for Texas House District 60. Originally from East Texas, Fennell says her blend of rural heritage, business experience, and public service makes her suited to represent both the fast-growing suburbs and small communities that define the district, which includes Stephens, Palo Pinto and Parker counties.
“I am running to protect our schools, secure our water, lower our property taxes, and make sure government focuses on the basics,” Fennell said in the announcement. “I am running to ensure freedom and opportunity for future generations of Texans.”
Fennell will be facing Mike Olcott, who was first elected to the position in 2024, taking office earlier this year. He announced his plan to run for re-election next year in a news release in June.
“Serving the people of District 60 is an honor I don’t take lightly,” Olcott said in the news release. “Voters sent me to deliver on the Republican Party platform, take on the Austin establishment, and follow through on the conservative priorities we campaigned on. This session, we stood our ground and made meaningful progress on several Republican priorities — but Texans didn’t send us to Austin to do half the job.”
Filing Dates
The first day candidates can officially file for office is Nov. 8, 2025. They have until Dec. 8, 2025, to file to run.
The local county offices that are up for election include County Judge, District Clerk, Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner – Precinct 2, and County Commissioner – Precinct 4. Additionally, the precinct chairs for each party are also up for election; the first day for the precinct chairs to file is Sept. 9.
2026 Election
The 2026 election will include the offices of Governor, State Senate, State Representative, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, State Board of Education (8 seats), US. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and other offices.
The Primary Election for the Republicans and Democrats to choose their candidates for the November election will be held on March 3, 2026, with Early Voting taking place Feb. 17-27. The election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.
Cutline, top photo: Will Thompson, left, speaks to the Stephens County Commissioners meeting on July 28 about the certified appraisal values for the county. He announced his plans to run for County Judge on Wednesday, Sept. 3. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
