The Kayne Train convoy of flag-festooned trucks and cars rolls through New Braunfels this week as the Republican running against former tax assessor-collector Kristen Hoyt for county judge makes one last bid to win the March 3 Republican primary as early voting winds down.
Kayne Parrish, who calls himself a grassroots candidate and constitutional conservative, is a fifth-generation Texan and New Braunfels firefighter who moved to Comal County two years ago and says he’s ready to assume the demanding responsibilities of county judgeship.
He said he’s built his volunteer-led campaign without backing from “establishment donor networks.”
Judges are like mayors but instead of city councils they preside over Commissioners Court, overseeing public safety protection; public parks, hospitals and buildings; and zoning, waste, water and permit regulations. They are not lawyers.
Kayne said he would have limited zoning and regulatory authority depending on state law.
Other responsibilities include drafting county budgets and presenting them to commissioners courts for approval.
Judges are the face of local government in unincorporated areas like Canyon Lake.
With 15 years of firefighting and emergency-management experience, an insider’s view of local emergency response, and 10 years of experience on the boards of both a nonprofit and his homeowner’s association, the Republican feels he has the qualifications for the judgeship.
Parrish decided to enter the race for county judge after New Braunfels resident Joeylynn Mesaros, who also attends Life Church, suggested a run for office. However, his decision to run “came after prayer and discernment with my wife and trusted spiritual mentors.”
Mesaros made national headlines after being sued in federal court for her role in the Trump Train, riding in one of the vehicles that tried to force a Joe Biden campaign bus off I-35 near San Marcos in October 2020
She was acquitted and turned her political advocacy in a different direction, using her social media platform, which includes 30,000 followers on Instagram, to promote “godly” candidates like Parrish and urge followers to vote against Hoyt.
Parrish said he represents everyday Texans who live, work and raise their children in Comal County — and “deserve a leader who puts Comal County first – always.”
There are no insiders or backroom deals involved in Kayne’s campaign, according to campaign literature that frequently cites scripture — just citizens coming together to discuss property rights, responsible growth and fiscal responsibility.
“I feel like there’s a lot of times, there are conversations that happen and I’ve seen it a lot…especially with the city council here, but I feel like it happens as well at the county level that decisions are made behind closed doors,” he said. “It’s as if they talk amongst each other and they agree, ‘all right, this is what we’re going to do.’ And then when the residents come up and make points, would like questions answered, then those decisions have really been made. That’s why the locals are so up in arms in this election cycle.”
One of his campaign promises is to help Comal County maintain its infrastructure in the face of explosive growth.
“As your next county judge, I’ll fight for commonsense, responsible growth. Prioritizing road repairs and upgrades before approving more unchecked development. Ensuring taxpayer dollars go to fixing what we have first, not special interests. Protecting our communities with better planning, transparency and leadership that puts you and public safety ahead of politics.”
In an interview, Parrish said he understands counties are limited in their ability to contain growth by the Texas Legislature. He promises to work closely with legislators who represent the county in Austin.
Hoyt may have more experience crunching numbers, but Parrish feels what works for the family budget also works for Comal County, whose budget topped $180 million in 2025.
“The principles are the same — accountability, discipline and assigning every dollar a clear purpose. But the county budget is far more complex. It requires understanding inter-governmenal funding, statutory obligations, capital planning, emergency-management reserves and long-term infrastructure forecasting.
He’s wrapping up a four-year bachelor’s degree in public administration at Tarleton State University and considers his experience “quite equal” to Hoyt’s.
“I don’t see it as one of us having more financial experience than the other. We both bring relevant experience to the role of governing the county. The difference is that I’ve spent 15 years in emergency management and risk mitigation. One of the major responsibilities of the county judge is leadership during disasters and coordinating public safety response. That’s an area where I bring significant hands-on experience.”
Parrish is a master-level firefighter certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, a distinction he said is only attained by 20% of Texas firefighters.
People trust him to enter their homes in times of crisis, he said.
“Throughout my career, people have trusted me in their most vulnerable moments and I take that responsibility seriously. That same commitment to trust, stewardship and steady leadership is why I’m running for county judge.”