Breckenridge Texan

Will Thompson was sworn in as the Stephens County Judge on Thursday morning, April 23, by District Judge Phillip Gregory in the District Courtroom in the Stephens County Courthouse.

Will Thompson was sworn in as Stephens County Judge on April 23. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Last month, Michael Roach officially announced that he would be resigning from the position, effective April 30, adding that if his replacement could take over earlier, he would step aside when appropriate. After serving as the county judge for a little over seven years, Roach did not seek re-election for a third term. He has accepted a position with the law firm McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen, in central Texas.

At the March 9 County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners voted to appoint Thompson to fulfill the remainder of Roach’s term. In this year’s Primary Election, Thompson won the Republican Party nomination for County Judge for the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.

There is no Democratic Party nominee; however, independent and write-in candidates have several months to file paperwork pertaining to their intent to run, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. One potential candidate filed the necessary “Declaration of Intent to Run as an Independent Candidate” at the end of last year and has until June 25 to file a candidate application and petition of nomination. Additionally, anyone who wants to run as a write-in candidate for the County Judge or any other position needs to file the necessary paperwork between July 18 and Aug. 17.

Thompson has been serving as the chief appraiser with the Stephens County Appraisal District.

Will Thompson, center left, is surrounded by his family in the district courtroom on Thursday, April 23, immediately following his swearing in as the new Stephens County Judge. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Will Thompson, right, signs the official documents appointing him as the Stephens County Judge as District Judge Phillip Gregory looks on. (Photo courtesy of Cecelia Gonzales/Stephens County)

Cutline, top photo: Denise Thompson looks on as her husband, Will Thompson, takes the oath of office as the Stephens County Judge from District Judge Phillip Gregory on Thursday morning, April 23. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)