Gregory Klaus defeats Don Loucks for GOP nomination for county judge
Gregory Klaus defeated Donald Loucks for the GOP nomination for Bastrop County judge in a runoff contest Tuesday, according to the election results.
“I was really happy I won because I feel like I can do a really good job whenever I do get in there. So, I was real happy I won,” Klaus told the Advertiser on Wednesday.
Klaus received 3,382 votes, or 55%, compared to Loucks’ 2,794 votes, or 45%.
Klaus, a lifelong Bastrop County resident, Vietnam War veteran and former business owner, said that through the years he’s met a lot of people, made no enemies and his supporters helped carry him to the finish line.
“I’ve been in business here for 45 years, I know a lot of people, and the Republican Party was really behind me real strong,” Klaus said. “And I feel like a lot of people feel like I can do a good job.”
After graduating from Bastrop High School, Klaus joined the Navy, and later returned home and began working in the air conditioning and heating industry. In 1976 he took over the AC/heating business in which he worked and owned it for 30 years. He sold Klaus Heating & Air Conditioning in 2006 and continued working there until retiring recently.
He said his experience as the VFW commander for 12 years and the Knights of Columbus grand knight for two years (he served as treasurer for six years) gives him the experience to conduct Commissioners Court meetings.
The county judge chairs the Commissioners Court, the county’s governing body.
“I think I’ll work good with the other commissioners and the departments because I’ve worked with other people extensively,” he said.
This race was Loucks’ second unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination for county judge. In 2018 he lost in the primary against incumbent Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape.
Pape, who has served as county judge since 2012, decided against reelection in December, opting instead to seek the GOP nomination for state representative for District 17. Pape lost his bid for a chance at the state House on Tuesday in a primary runoff against Stan Gerdes.
Loucks said he ran a clean campaign and made sure voters knew his stance on the issues the county is facing, but ultimately voters decided to pick a different candidate.
“I thank everyone who voted for me and supported me in any way,” Loucks told the Advertiser. “I made many new friends along the way and look forward to working with them for the betterment of Bastrop County.”
Klaus will face off against Democrat Dock Jackson in November for the county judge’s office.
House District 17
Smithville City Council Member Stan Gerdes secured the GOP nomination for House District 17 on Tuesday, after receiving 51.3% of the vote with all polling locations reporting.
Gerdes faced Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape in the runoff.
House District 17 covers Bastrop, Burleson, Caldwell, Lee, and Milam counties. Gerdes will face Democrat Madeline Eden in the November general election.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Election: Gregory Klaus defeats Don Loucks for GOP Bastrop judge nom
