Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Krispen Walker, Bobby Smith, Rodney Townsend, and Joey Jacobs will become new county officials on January 1 when they take their oaths of office.
In addition, several incumbent officials will take oaths for new terms. All the local officials ran as unopposed Republicans in the November general election.
The public is invited to join with the officials' friends and families to witness each person getting a new term take the oath. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, in the 128th State District Courtroom on the second floor of the three-story 1930s courthouse.
Because of architectural problems at the front of the courthouse, entrance is through the back doors by the parking lot.
Walker will become the county's first woman district attorney to replace John Kimbrough, who retired. She grew up in Orange and has served as an assistant district attorney for many years.
Smith will become the new county sheriff. He lives in the Vidor area, has a long career in law enforcement, and is a retired officer with the Texas Rangers. He beat incumbent Jimmy Lane Mooney and two other candidates in the primary race.
Townsend, who is from Bridge City, has had a local private practice law firm. He will become county court-at-law judge after the retirement of Troy Johnson.
Jacobs, who is from the Vidor area, has a long career in law enforcement and has been a captain with the OC Sheriff's Office. He will take the oath as Precinct 4 constable after winning the primary race against incumbent Matt Ortego.
Octavia Guzman will take the oath for her first four-year term as county tax assessor-collector. Karen Fisher, who previously held the position, retired early and Guzman began serving as the official this past summer.
Incumbents re-elected and starting new four-year terms are Precinct 1 County Commissioner Johnny Trahan and Precinct 3 Commissioner Kirk Roccaforte. Also, constables Lannie Claybar for Precinct 1, Jeremiah Gunter for Precinct 2, and Brad Frye for Precinct 3.
State judges starting new terms are 128th District Judge Courtney Arkeen and 163rd District Judge Rex Peveto.
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