Sergio Loya, Calvert City Manager
Hancock Puts His Mark on Precinct 2 Race
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Rodney Hancock won the Republican runoff election Tuesday for Robertson County Commissioner Precinct 2, securing the seat due to the absence of a Democratic challenger in the November general election. Unofficial election results posted Tuesday night showed Hancock defeating Wallace M. Johnson in the Republican runoff. With no Democrat filing for the office, Hancock’s victory effectively makes him the next Precinct 2 commissioner once the election process is officially completed. The runoff followed a crowded Republican primary election in March that included Hancock, Johnson, James E. Shear and David R. Stratta. No candidate received the majority needed to win outright in the primary, forcing the top two vote-getters into a runoff election. The Precinct 2 commissioner position is one of four seats on the Robertson County Commissioners Court and carries responsibility for county roads, infrastructure projects, budgeting and other county operations within the precinct. Tuesday’s race became one of the more closely watched local contests this election cycle, drawing attention from voters across the precinct as issues such as road conditions, infrastructure improvements, growth and county spending remained key campaign topics. In Robertson County, many county-level races are ultimately decided during the Republican primary process because several offices do not draw Democratic opposition in the general election. That trend continued in the Precinct 2 commissioner race this year. Election totals released Tuesday night remain unofficial until canvassed and certified by Robertson County election officials in the coming days. Hancock is now positioned to join the Robertson County Commissioners Court and will serve alongside the county judge and fellow commissioners in overseeing county government operations and future county planning efforts.
A dino-mite summer
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Dinosaurs, books and summer fun will come together this June as The Smith-Welch Memorial Library welcomes children for its 2026 Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story,” giving the program a playful dinosaur twist while encouraging children to keep reading during the summer break. The program will be held June 1 through June 30, Monday through Friday, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, located at 105 W. Fifth St. in Hearne. Children will have a chance to enjoy crafts, coloring, clay activities, movie days and more. Book authors are also expected to visit during the month, giving young readers a chance to meet storytellers and hear more about the world of books. The program is open to children ages 6 to 12, as well as youth ages 13 to 15. Children ages 5 and under can also take part, but a parent or guardian must attend with them for a one-hour child-and-parent activity. For many families, the summer reading program offers more than just something to do during the day. It gives children a safe and welcoming place to be creative, spend time with others and keep their minds active while school is out. Parents are reminded that children 5 and under must be accompanied by a parent. The program is free to attend.
RC Sheriff’s assists FPD amid
transition
Jada B. Terry Jada@robconews.com Robertson County News FRANKLIN— A long-discussed issue moved one step closer to resolution Tuesday afternoon when Sheriff Bill Ruland brought county commissioners updated information regarding the Franklin Police Department. In ongoing efforts to revitalize Franklin PD, Robertson County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to facilitate the transition. “Last week after the fallout from Franklin PD, we met with the rest of the department and had a good meeting,” said Ruland. “They’re going to start coming to trainings and working with us—we’re here to help them do a better job.” Franklin PD is currently under the new leadership of Interim Chief Shane Johnson, who retired from the Dallas Police Department after more than 20 years of service before moving to Franklin in October of 2022. Since assuming leadership responsibilities, Johnson has worked to maintain departmental operations amid the transition. A few days later, Johnson spoke on the department’s current needs, conditions, and future. “My focus is for officers to get their licenses and proper training. We’ve been working with the sheriff’s office to make sure everything is in compliance. You can’t do your job if you don’t know your craft,” said Johnson. County officials did not further discuss a timeline for the department’s full transition, though commissioners recognized the sheriff office’s role in assisting Franklin PD.
Texas Runoff Elections Reshape Statewide Political Landscape
Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Texas voters headed to the polls Tuesday to decide several high-profile statewide runoff elections, with results reshaping the political landscape heading into the November general election. The biggest race of the night came in the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate, where Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in one of the most closely watched Republican contests in the nation. Paxton’s victory marked a major political upset and highlighted the continued influence of former President Donald Trump within Texas Republican politics. Paxton will now advance to the November general election to face Democratic nominee James Talarico. The Senate race drew national attention for months as Cornyn, a four-term senator and longtime Republican establishment figure, battled Paxton in an increasingly bitter campaign. Another closely followed statewide runoff involved the Republican nomination for Texas attorney general. State Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy to earn the GOP nomination for the state’s top law enforcement office. Middleton will move on to face Democratic nominee Nathan Johnson in November. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Vikki Goodwin captured the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor after defeating labor representative Marcos Velez in the runoff election. Texas voters also decided several congressional runoff races Tuesday night. In Houston’s newly redrawn Congressional District 18, Christian Menefee defeated longtime Congressman Al Green in a Democratic runoff that drew statewide attention. The race signaled a generational shift in Houston-area Democratic politics after Green’s decades in Congress. The runoff elections followed the March primary, where no candidate in several races received the majority needed to avoid a second round of voting. Under Texas election law, candidates must secure more than 50% of the vote in a primary election to claim their party’s nomination outright. Tuesday’s results now officially set the stage for the November general election across Texas, where voters will decide statewide offices, congressional races, legislative seats and numerous local contests. Election officials across Texas reported steady turnout throughout early voting and Election Day as voters participated in one of the state’s most consequential runoff elections in recent years. Unofficial totals released Tuesday night will remain subject to canvassing and certification in the coming days.
