Republican Kristen Hoyt, a Republican running for county judge in the March 3 primary election, had a few choice words for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Feb. 10.
The statewide bureaucratic system is failing Texans — specifically, Comal County residents — who face the consequences of unregulated growth every time TCEQ rubberstamps permits for sprawling developments and quarries.
She spoke at a public hearing for a wastewater permit Lennar Homes needs to build a treatment facility that will discharge 600,000 gallons-per-day of effluent into Potters Creek and Canyon Lake.
The proposed Broken Cedar Ranch development would place 850 cookie-cutter homes on 230 acres in scenic, drought-stricken Fischer.
Canyon Lake residents oppose the project but until that meeting few county officials had openly criticized TCEQ, telling constituents their hands are statutorily tied by the Texas legislature.
Conservative Platform
Hoyt was elected county tax assessor-collector in 2021 but stepped down in November 2025 to run for county judge after the late Sherman Krause announced he would not seek reelection.
In a November 2025 press release, she promised to “bring proven leadership, fiscal responsibility and a commitment to exceptional service.”
“As Comal County continues to grow, we need experienced leadership that protects taxpayers, strengthens public safety and ensures our government works efficiently for the people,” Hoyt said. “I’ve delivered on my promises as tax assessor-collector— now I’m ready to lead as your next county judge.”
She also promised to keep taxes low, protect water and natural resources, support law enforcement and “ensure that Comal County remains one of the best places in Texas to live, work and raise a family.”
Hoyt faces Republican Kayne Parrish, a New Braunfels firefighter. There is no Democratic candidate running for county judge in the March 3 primary.
Whoever wins March 3 will likely ride out the remainder of Krause’s term. He died unexpectedly Feb. 7.
Confronting TCEQ
Hoyt’s made the usual rounds at Republican gatherings since announcing her bid for county judge, but her fiery speech before TCEQ officials and Lennar representatives drew cheers and applause from both Republicans and Democrats.
“Counties and local communities are left managing these consequences, whether it’s degraded water quality, strained infrastructure or emergency response, without having legal authority to stop or shape projects before the harm occurs,” she said. “That gap between responsibility and authority is a failure of our system. We’re reaching a point where continuing to approve facilities under existing standards is no longer sustainable.”
While her commitment to shielding Comal County from developers proved popular at the hearing, commissioners are mostly right — counties have very limited land-use authority.
Accomplishments
County judges are like mayors, who play vital administrative roles in government. They are not lawyers.
According to Ballotpedia, judges, as presiding supervisors of commissioners courts, oversee safety protection; public transportation; parks, hospitals and buildings; and zoning, waste, water and permit regulations.
They levy and collect taxes for county and municipal organizations, and oversee and enforce more specific duties, as laid out by Texas statutes.
Judges are responsible for drafting county budgets and presenting them to commissioners courts for approval.
They are the face of local government in unincorporated areas.
Hoyt thinks her experience as tax assessor-collector makes her the perfect candidate to assume these administrative responsibilities.
One of her first decisions as tax assessor-collector was to livestream appraisal district hearings to make them more transparent and help residents avoid lengthy drives to New Braunfels to challenge home values.
She also made life easier for Canyon Lake residents who can now register boats locally. U.S. passports can now be obtained at the tax office.
Other accomplishments include cutting wasteful spending and leading community outreach programs that educate and protect taxpayers according to her campaign literature.
In 2025 alone, Hoyt said she saved taxpayers over $1 million.
A long time community volunteer and small business owner, Hoyt said she focused on customer service and cutting wasteful spending.
She also collaborated with State Rep. Carrie Isaac, R-73 and State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-25, who represent Canyon Lake in the Texas legislature to increase the punishment for squatters.
One case she heard about was that of an entire family who moved, along with their dogs, into a home for 30 days and destroyed it.
Partially through her efforts, property owners can now sign up for a free Property Fraud Alert service at the County Clerk’s Office. Hoyt promoted the service through property tax workshops and by including information in property tax bills.
“I made that a priority and worked with those that have been affected here in the county, those that are scared of that happening, and then certainly with the legislature, to push for reform on that,” she said in an interview with MyCanyonLake.com.
Hoyt thinks Comal County should play more of a role in south central and central Texas, and turn to surrounding counties for ideas.
“As we look at Austin, Travis, Bexar, and Hays counties we’re this kind of lone, conservative community and we need to be strong and present in those conversations,” she said. “It’s a matter of time before those data centers come knocking at our door.
” … Comal County does need to have someone who is advocating for the county as a whole.”
Her cellphone number is listed on her website and Hoyt said she’s open to talking with anyone with questions.
“I think people that I’ve interacted with and helped over the last five years, they know that I’m accessible,” she said. “They know that I am not a politician per se and that I’m here to do the real work.”
About Hoyt
As tax assessor-collector she completed education courses and obtained certificates for Professional County Assessor-Collector, Professional County Collector and County Tax Office Professional.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a certificate in state and local government from the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives.
Hoyt chaired the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Advisory Committee and served on the legislative committee for the Tax Assessor-Collector Association.
She currently serves as the board chair for the Texas Partners Bank New Braunfels Business Advisory Committee and is a member of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, the Bulverde Spring Branch Area Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Lake Noon Lions, the New Braunfels Jaycees and is a Blue Coat Ambassador for the Greater New Braunfels Area of Commerce.
The candidate for county judge also is a Baroness in the Braunfels Foundation Trust and serves on the board of the United Way of Comal County. She served as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sister of Comal County.
Hoyt is endorsed by the Comal County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Bulverde Spring Branch Conservative Republicans, New Braunfels Young Republicans and state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-25, who represents Canyon Lake in the Texas legislature.