May runoff early voting: Here are the candidates for Hays County Precinct 2 commissioner

Democratic candidates Michelle Gutierrez Cohen and Linda Aguilar Hawkins are facing off once again this month, but this time only one of them will move forward as the party’s nominee for Hays County Precinct 2 commissioner in November.

In the March primary election, Gutierrez Cohen secured 41.1% of the vote over Aguilar Hawkins, who was close behind at 36.96%. A third candidate, Richard Cronshey, took 21.94% of the vote.

To move on to the November ballot, a candidate must earn a majority — 50% plus one vote. The two highest vote getters, Gutierrez Cohen and Aguilar Hawkins, are in the runoff election set for May 24.

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Early voting began Monday and will run through Friday.

Gutierrez Cohen, the founder of Hays Latinos United, a group that provides COVID-19 resources to the community, previously told the American-Statesman that her priority is public health and safety.

She said Precinct 2 is more than 50% Latino, a community that has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Aguilar Hawkins said in March that her priority is to ensure that access to resources keeps up with the county's growth. Because Hays is one of the nation's fastest-growing counties, it must continue to use state, local and federal funds to support the community's growing needs, she said.

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The winner in November will take on Republican challenger Mike Gonzalez, who garnered the majority of the votes for his party.

Gonzalez is a two-term Kyle mayor and economic development executive with 15 years of experience implementing strategic economic initiatives. He said Precinct 2 has grown so rapidly that his priority is preserving residents' quality of life while ensuring that the county grows and flourishes.

The winner in November will replace Commissioner Mark Jones, who is running for county judge against incumbent Ruben Becerra. Jones' term is set to expire this year.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: May runoff early voting: Here are candidates for Hays County Pct. 2