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Lambert consolidates Uecker, Baroody voters to crush Hughes in Precinct 1 runoff
Lambert defeated Hughes 1,358 to 769 — 63.84% to 36.16% — in unofficial results released after 1 a.m. Wednesday following a hand count of Election Day ballots at the Kerr County Elections Administration.
Republican Runoff Results
The Kerr County Lead
Republican Primary Runoff Results
May 26, 2026 · Kerr County, Texas
Last updated: Kerr County complete (unofficial) · After 1 a.m.
Kerr County local races — all ballots counted, unofficial
County Commissioner — Precinct 1, Unexpired Term
Clay Lambert
1,358
63.84%
Brenda Hughes
769
36.16%
✓ Lambert wins · 2,127 votes cast · Unofficial
Judge, County Court-at-Law
Robert Hunter Moose
3,957
54.51%
Brett L. Ferguson
3,302
45.49%
✓ Moose wins · 7,259 votes cast · Unofficial
Statewide races — statewide totals, results reporting
United States Senator
Ken Paxton
826,236
64.11%
John Cornyn
462,615
35.89%
1,288,851 total votes · Statewide · 83% reporting
Attorney General
Mayes Middleton
705,375
55.47%
Chip Roy
566,258
44.53%
1,271,633 total votes · Statewide · 83% reporting
Railroad Commissioner
Bo French
621,047
50.80%
Jim Wright
601,498
49.20%
⚠ Too close to call · ~19,500-vote margin · 83% reporting statewide
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals — Place 3
Thomas Smith
671,691
58.22%
Alison Fox
482,031
41.78%
1,153,722 total votes · Statewide · 83% reporting
The Lead’s stories
Paxton routs Cornyn in Texas Republican Senate runoff; far-right candidates sweep statewide races
Paxton’s margin widened as the night went on, suggesting broad enthusiasm among the Republican primary electorate rather than a narrow base of committed supporters.
BREAKING NEWS: Storm bearing down on Comfort until 9 p.m.
Take shelter immediately if you are in or near Comfort, Center Point, Camp Verde or Cypress Creek.
Lambert leads Hughes in Precinct 1 commissioner runoff; Moose ahead in court-at-law race
Lambert led Hughes 900 to 556 — 61.81% to 38.19% — in absentee and early voting. Moose led Ferguson 2,651 to 2,109 — 55.69% to 44.31% — in the same ballot categories. Kerr County counted its in-person ballots by hand Tuesday night, and those results had not been released as of this report.
Storms moving through Kerrville now; wind gusts up to 50 mph possible
Hazards include wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny-size hail. Forecasters also warn that torrential rainfall is occurring with the storms and could cause localized flooding.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch now in effect for Kerr County until 9 p.m.
Kerr County now faces a dual threat: severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds this afternoon and evening, followed by heavy rainfall overnight that forecasters warn could cause life-threatening flooding.
Flood watch issued for Kerr County through Wednesday morning
Meteorologists say storms capable of dumping 1 to 3 inches of rain per hour are expected to push across the Hill Country beginning Tuesday afternoon, with isolated totals of up to 5 inches possible where slower-moving storms stall. Rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are most likely for most of the Kerrville area overnight.
Republican hand-count decision splits Kerr County runoff polling places by party Tuesday
The split is a direct consequence of the Kerr County Republican Party’s decision to hand-count ballots cast on Election Day — a choice that, under Texas law, strips both parties of the countywide vote center system Kerr County normally uses.
Kerrville man faces 25 new child pornography counts; week’s arrests included 7 DWI bookings
Glen Daniel Rhoten was booked into the Kerr County Main Jail on Friday, May 23, on 25 counts of possession of child pornography involving 50 or more depictions or videos per count.
Severe storms, flash flooding threat returns to Hill Country on Tuesday
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 of 5 (Slight) risk for severe storms across the Rio Grande Plains, with a Level 1 of 5 (Marginal) risk extending east into the Hill Country and along the Interstate 35 corridor.
Photo gallery: Center Point High School 2026 graduation
Center Point High School said goodbye to its class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 22, 2026 at Pirate Stadium.
Photo gallery: Ingram Tom Moore High School 2026 graduation
The Ingram Tom Moore High School graduating class of 2026.
Photo gallery: Tivy High School 2026 graduation
Congratulations to the class of 2026. Antler Stadium was packed as Tivy High School celebrated another graduating class on Friday night.
Flood watch remains in effect, but weekend forecast improves; Memorial Day looks sunny
The Flood Watch takes effect at 7 p.m. tonight, though storm chances don’t arrive until between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., when a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible. That timing is good news for the Tivy High School graduation ceremony at Antler Stadium tonight — conditions should be clear through the 8 p.m. start.
Flood watch issued for Kerr County through Monday as Folk Festival opens tonight
Tonight’s forecast is more encouraging for the Folk Festival’s opening at Quiet Valley Ranch — only a 20% chance of storms before 1 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low near 64. Friday also looks relatively dry as the area sits between weather systems.
The Lead’s Special Report
The monster in the canyon: What the storm actually was — and what was never asked
Nine months after the flood, federal meteorologists tell the full story. In 15 hours of legislative testimony this week, none of it came up.
At 12:56 a.m. on July 4, 2025, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Austin sent a message through its professional communications platform: “Some cell mergers about to take place in central Kerr County. This will be an area to watch for potential flash flooding.”
Eighteen minutes later, a flash flood warning went out to cell phones across the Hunt area — the ninth such warning issued for the Guadalupe River corridor since 2020. The previous eight had all expired without a mass casualty event.
By 4:03 a.m., NWS had upgraded that warning to a Flash Flood Emergency — the most urgent alert the agency can issue. Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas was home sick that night. Whether anyone else in Kerr County’s emergency structure was actively monitoring professional NWS channels during those critical hours remains unknown. Read more: https://kerrcountylead.com/the-monster-in-the-canyon-what-the-storm-actually-was-and-what-was-never-asked/
Arts and Culture
A packed week ahead: Folk fest, farmers markets, fundraisers, and more
The Kerrville Folk Festival continues its 18-day run at Quiet Valley Ranch through the week, with evening performances beginning at 7 p.m. nightly. Tuesday brings Katie Dahl and Martin Gilmore to the Threadgill Theater. Wednesday features Abigayle Oakley and Madeline Roger. Thursday night, Cindy Kalmenson and Sara Beth Go take the stage.
Folk Festival headlines a packed week of music, art, and community events
Opening night on May 21 features Jamie Lin Wilson, Rich O’Toole, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, and The Wilder Blue. Food and craft booths open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater.
“Sense and Sensibility” closes this weekend at the VK Garage Theater
The lobby opens an hour before curtain, with cocktails and mocktails served by Omakase Hospitality.
2026 Kerrville Folk Festival
New Folk Competition alum, Austin sisters and a folk tradition master headline festival’s second Saturday
Andy Frasco & the U.N. close the night at 10 p.m. The Los Angeles-based touring band led by Frasco and a rotating international ensemble blends rock, soul, funk and blues into live shows that have earned a reputation for escalating, audience-consuming performances across the U.S. and Europe.
Folk festival’s second weekend opens with Brandy Clark headlining Grammy-nominated night
The second weekend of the 54th annual Kerrville Folk Festival opens Friday with a night that moves from intimate folk songwriting through soul and country before landing on one of Nashville’s most decorated writer-performers, and closes with a Canadian duo carrying both a Grammy and grief.
Photo gallery: Bandits on the Run rises from the subway for Folk Festival debut
Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Shepherd and Regina Strayhorn have built a devoted following on the national folk circuit through rich three-part harmonies and a theatrical, character-driven performance style that tends to turn first-time listeners into devoted fans.
Photo gallery: Steep Canyon Rangers shine in Kerrville Folk Festival debut
Founded in 2000, the six-piece group has released 14 albums including “Morning Shift” (2023).
Photo gallery: S.G. Goodman at the 2026 Folk Festival
The Hickman, Ky., singer-songwriter released “Planting by the Signs” in January 2025. She won the 2023 Americana Music Association Emerging Artist of the Year award.
Kerrville Folk Festival Weekend Two Lineup
| Times | Friday, May 29 | Saturday, May 30 | Sunday, May 31 |
| 7 p.m. | Lucy Wainwright Roche | Liv Greene | Amy Speace |
| 8 p.m. | Chastity Brown | The Tiarras | Jason Ricci |
| 9 p.m. | Brandy Clark | Jake Xerxes Fussell | James McMurtry |
| 10 p.m. | The East Pointers | Andy Frasco & the U.N. | Mon Rovîa |
Photo galleries
Photo gallery: Kerr County’s Memorial Day observance
The ceremony was led by Kerrville City Councilmember Jeff Harris, a Marine veteran, and Kerr County Precinct 3 Commissioner Jeff Holt, a retired Marine colonel. Holt opened with a reading of “In Flanders Fields,” the World War I poem that has anchored Memorial Day observances for more than a century, its imagery of poppies and torches passed between the living and the dead as resonant on Monday as when it was written.
Photo gallery: Bandits on the Run rises from the subway for Folk Festival debut
Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Shepherd and Regina Strayhorn have built a devoted following on the national folk circuit through rich three-part harmonies and a theatrical, character-driven performance style that tends to turn first-time listeners into devoted fans.
Photo gallery: Steep Canyon Rangers shine in Kerrville Folk Festival debut
Founded in 2000, the six-piece group has released 14 albums including “Morning Shift” (2023).
Photo gallery: S.G. Goodman at the 2026 Folk Festival
The Hickman, Ky., singer-songwriter released “Planting by the Signs” in January 2025. She won the 2023 Americana Music Association Emerging Artist of the Year award.
Photo gallery: Center Point High School 2026 graduation
Center Point High School said goodbye to its class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 22, 2026 at Pirate Stadium.
Sports
Schreiner University looking for its next football PA announcer
The university is searching for a public address announcer to help set the tone on game days, and no prior PA experience is required. The job calls for strong communication skills and comfort in front of a microphone.
Schreiner softball split doubleheader against visiting McMurry
Mendoza (7-8) was at her sharpest through the evening’s second game, holding the War Hawks to five hits and issuing just one walk. Her 88-pitch complete-game effort — 64 of which found the strike zone — gave the Mountaineers (12-24, 9-17 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) their first win of the series.
Lackey sparks Schreiner’s offense as Mountaineers correct course on the road in Arkansas
Kale Lackey, a Tivy grad, was the series’ most productive bat, going 6-for-16 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBI. Blake Juarez backed him in the opener with a 3-for-4 afternoon that included a home run, a double and three RBI.
Schreiner University men’s track program turns in solid early performances
The Schreiner University men’s track and field team put together a productive two-week stretch in late March, collecting several podium finishes and individual standout performances at the TLU Invite in Seguin and the Charles Austin Classic in San Marcos.
Stautz win singles title; two Lady Hawks doubles teams advance to state
Jane Stautz won the girls singles championship, going 5-0 on the day and defeating her opponent 8-6 in the finals.
Obituaries
Col. Gordon Brynildsen, U.S. Army (Ret.): Sept. 22, 1940-May 24, 2026
In 1982, he secured a legendary victory over a young Boris Becker, who would later become the world’s top-ranked professional player.
Julie Milam: Feb. 11, 1949-May 22, 2026
She worked in Houston and eventually returned to Kerrville in the early 80s to join her sister, Kathy, as a partner in Creations, their nationally known quilt shop and retreat center. They were partners until the shop closed in July of 2023.
Michael Sieverson Jr.: March 1, 1941-May 16, 2026
Following his military service, he dedicated himself to higher education, attending many universities throughout his life in pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
Loren Lusk: Jan. 13, 1935-May 19, 2026
In his 37-year career with Chevron, Doug and Linda moved from Midland to Roswell, to Houston, to Oklahoma City, to Denver, to Walnut Creek and on to their final stop in Kerrville, Texas.
Margaret Jane Hanna-Clark: Oct. 5, 1934-May 14, 2026
In later years, she moved back to Kerrville then Midlothian, TX as she followed grandchildren & great-grandchildren and stayed close to them to watch them grow up. She also enjoyed travel with friends and relatives.
Community voices
They came for Brenda Hughes. Here’s what they used — and what the truth is.
This has been an extraordinary campaign. Not because of anything Hughes has done, but because of what has been done to her.
Op-ed: It’s time to get involved in your party, reminders for voting
And do not think your vote doesn’t matter! If you voted in the Primary, it is incumbent upon you to have your voice heard. If you did not vote in EITHER primary, you can vote in the Republican primary runoff.
The Lead’s Editorial: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The good works of the Hill Country Charity Ball is highlighted, but it’s all downhill from there.
The Lead’s Editorial: A note to our readers about flood misinformation
The science is not ambiguous, and the math is not close. We know this not because we commissioned expert analysis or spent weeks on investigation, but because the basic research required to refute these claims is available to anyone willing to do it.
Recent photos by The Kerr County Lead.
The Mission of The Kerr County Lead
Covering community news in the heart of the Hill Country.
Founded in 2021, The Kerr County Lead aims to provide high-quality journalism for Kerrville, Texas and the surrounding communities of the splendid Texas Hill Country. In the coming years, Texas faces exponential growth and the challenges of managing land, resources and water. At the same time, the Hill Country offers a robust quality of life and culture. With this mission, The Lead focuses its work on the stories that matter most to the readers in Kerr County.
