John O. RoaneParty: RepublicanRepublican
What does this office do?
The Cooke County Judge is the elected official who helps lead county government, separate from the City of Gainesville. The judge presides over Commissioners Court and votes as one of its five members. That court sets the county budget and tax rate, approves spending, and pays for county services like roads, the jail, records offices, and emergency response.
The title sounds like a courtroom job, but in Texas it is also a county leadership job. In Cooke County, the judge helps run public meetings, represents the county in many administrative matters, and leads county emergency management during disasters. The judge may have some legal duties, but Cooke County also has a County Court at Law, so many regular court cases are handled there instead.
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