WOW,
Walace Jefferson is now the first BLACK Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (AND HE's REPUBLICAN).
County Judge is indeed much like a county commissioner. He is the head of the 5 member County Court. (4 Commissioners and one Judge)
In Texas he also has the power of a probate judge and a Justice of the Peace and a few other Judicial peculiarities. Most judges have hung up this part of their office in favor of strictly doing the management end of the county.
In the old days when counties were less populated and judicial recourse was harder to come by the duty load was just the office. I would expect at some point in the future the office will be constitutionaly redifined as strictly a county executive.
just the office. = just the opposite.
...
Thanks for the explanation. Being in Massachusetts, we've had to get used to other peculiarities - like having a semi-elected Governor's Council that is required to approve payments from the state treasury, approve judicial appointments, and approve pardons, etc. No other state has this Council - and for good reason.
Thanks again - and best of luck in the election!