Brazos County District Judge Kyle Hawthorne Will Not Seek Re-Election Next Year And Someone Announces Their Candidacy

Brazos County district court’s administrative judge is retiring.

85th district court judge Kyle Hawthorne is not running for re-election in 2026.

Hawthorne tells WTAW News he was trying to “sneak out as quietly as possible”, adding after he and his family made the decision he told his staff and the other Brazos County judges he “left it at that, for it to spread as it normally would in courthouse gossip.”

Hawthorne was first elected in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He recalled when he decided to run he thought he would serve three terms.

He said “it was a good time to go (and) let some new eyes get on it”.

Hawthorne, who thanked those who voted for him, said being judge has been the most enjoyable experience of his nearly 40 year legal career.

The upcoming vacancy has drawn at least one announced candidate. Assistant Brazos County district attorney Jennifer Hebert leads the juvenile and civil divisions.

Click below to hear Kyle Hawthorne’s visit with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.

Listen to “Brazos County District Judge Kyle Hawthorne will not seek re-election next year and someone announces their candidacy” on Spreaker.

More News