After narrow margins in the Republican primary last March left Shane Stolarczyk and Chris Taylor neck and neck within a 2 percent margin for the win, the two are facing off in the primary runoff election.
Early voting will run from Monday, May 16, to Friday, May 20, and election day is Tuesday, May 24. Early voting will be accessible at the Kendall County Courthouse Annex from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Election Day, voters can cast a ballot at Boerne City Hall; the Bergheim Volunteer Fire department; the Burdick, Kendalia or Sisterdale community centers; and the Boerne Bible, Comfort Baptist and nineteen:ten churches between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Taylor was born and raised in Kendall County, meeting his wife, Holly, at Boerne Elementary School. He said he has a long history of entrepreneurship in the county, starting his first business at age 15 with money from the Kendall County Livestock Show. He retired from Hewlett Packard as a legal and engineering operations manager after serving as the operations manager of the family pecan business.
“I am from here and I plan to stay,” Taylor said. “I am not using Kendall County as a steppingstone to get to Austin. I grew up in this community, I love this community, I will protect this community! My future, my kid’s future, and your future are in this community.”
Stolarczyk has two children with his wife, who he said reside on a piece of rural property in Kendalia. He said he has served in a range of positions in life, from a janitor to the person signing the checks in his business, but he feels all roles are essential. Additionally, he has 20 years of experience as a research attorney and served as a military prosecutor in the USAF Reserves.
“My message has never wavered,” Stolarczyk said. “I refuse to provide meaningless words to gain a vote. I believe in service before self; integrity; and personal accountability for your promises and actions. We live in a special place. It deserves leadership that does the right thing every time, not merely what is currently politically advantageous.”
Q: What are the key issues you’re focused on coming into the runoff?
• Stolarczyk: I’ve met with countless citizens, and the common theme is a deep devotion to what makes our county unique. Citizens’ voices should be heard, no matter what part of the county they live or how long they’ve lived here. Key issues are growth-related (transportation, local control, natural resources, density). If I am elected, I will work fulltime to earn my paycheck and ensure the citizens are a part of the process to address our county’s growth challenges.
• Taylor: Lowering property taxes, they are out of control. Improving infrastructure to improve traffic conditions. Fully funding first responders and county employees so they can keep our community safe and provide the best customer service and experience. Educating people about water conservation, rain capture, and recycling water. Improving relationships and collaborating with other government entities and charity organizations. I’m not going to fight against them.
Q: If elected, what would your priorities be upon taking office?
• Stolarczyk: Developers and their highly trained legal teams are knocking on the Commissioners Court door to advance special interests. I have years of personal experience representing landowners and know firsthand developers’ legal techniques. We must hold developers accountable and press for legislation to regain control from Austin to protect our way of life and help alleviate the negative impacts on infrastructure and water arising from exponential growth.
• Taylor: Failing to plan is planning to fail. I will lead the effort to create a plan and a 50-year vision. I am ready to bring my 38 years of executive business, budgeting and operational experience to work on behalf of our county and fight for lower taxes and conservative, constitutional governance. The people of our great county deserve nothing less! Create a more efficient county government by developing a short and long-range budget. I would also update technology, review procurement policies and build collaboration between local governmental entities for the purpose of leveraging best practices.
Q: If elected, how would you work with others to reach your goals, including other municipalities, the public and the other commissioners?
• Stolarczyk: Our citizens elect one commissioner per precinct who serve the citizens of each precinct. A county judge leads collaboration of all four commissioners, facilitating communication and responsibility from each precinct, enabling teambuilding among the commissioners to help the county stay abreast of and tackle county- or precinct-based challenges. A county judge, like a military leader, knows we are stronger united and must lead from boots on the ground (not a pedestal).
• Taylor: My dissertation was about collaboration between multiple organizations. I was able to help HP save over $42 million without losing any jobs by using my leadership skills. I have already started conversations with many of the leaders in and around our community. This includes the two mayors, school districts, the past and future state representatives, our senator, surrounding county leaders, the chamber of commerce leaders, economic development, water experts and many leaders of local charities.
Q: What have you learned about the county or this political position in your campaign?
• Stolarczyk: The position on the ballot is called JUDGE for a reason. Nearly 25 percent of the county’s budget regards the justice system ($10 million & growing rapidly). Our elderly population’s needs or guardianships are overseen by the county judge. Someone with my 20 years of experience in all facets of the justice system provides unique insight, as well as analytical skills, to enhance the overall budget analysis by the five-member commissioners court, as well as assisting, as needed, in the justice system.
• Taylor: The last time the county judge was a lawyer was almost 50 years ago. This role is not a trial judge. It is the chief financial administrator and emergency manager, like Nelson Wolff in Bexar County. I met my wife at Boerne Elementary School, and I’ve witnessed the changes and know that change is constant and will be coming. We need to be proactive and not reactive.
Q: Why should people vote for you?
• Stolarczyk: I’m an Air Force veteran, husband, father and ranch owner. My firm belief is our county should allow us to own land, become self-made, and raise a family/retire without unnecessary governmental interference and undue taxation. Putting Kendall County first takes qualifications and limitless energy in today’s complex legal system. As a successful small business owner, attorney and military prosecutor, I can hit the ground running on day one during this critical time for our county.
• Taylor: As the chief administrator of Kendall County, I will combine my 38 years of business and legal operations experience with my community service and three university degrees to create a more efficient and effective county government while protecting our quality of life and preserving our Hill Country values. I served as a commissioner on multiple local government committees. I am a servant leader and have a history of local community service including Firefighter, EMT and Rotary International.
Candidate responses are in alphabetical order. Only minor editing was done.
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