2018 Ellis County Judge GOP Candidate Questionnaire responses

Left: Rodney Pat Ramsey. Right: Todd Little.

ELLIS COUNTY — Learn more about the candidates running for Ellis County Judge in their own words. Two of the three candidates vying for the position answered a comprehensive questionnaire presented by Ellis County Citizen.

Voters will take to the polls on March 6, 2018 to cast a ballot for their preferred choice. Incumbent Carol Bush (did not answer questionnaire) is being challenged by Rodney Pat Ramsey and Todd Little.

Election day voting will be held on March 6, 2018 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for a list of election day polling locations. Early voting will take place February 20, 2018 through March 2, 2018. Click here for a list of early voting locations and times.

Get to know each candidate by reviewing their responses to several questions posed by Ellis County Citizen. Compare the responses of each candidate to each question below or click on a candidate's name above to view an individual candidate's responses to all questions on one page. The candidates' names are in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Ellis County Citizen endorses Rodney Pat Ramsey in the 2018 Republican Primary.

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

1) Age:


2) City of Residence:


3) Years Living in Ellis County:


4) Family:


5) Education:


6) Previous Public Office Experience:


7) Occupation:


8) Church and Civic Involvement:


9) Please provide a biographical narrative.


10) What motivated your interest in running for Constitutional County Judge in Ellis County?


11) Briefly and succinctly define the job responsibilities of the office you are seeking.


12) What qualifications and professional experiences do you possess that are applicable to county judge responsibilities the position you are seeking requires? Be specific.


13) What qualifications do you possess that will enable you to manage a budget of over $63 million for Ellis County? Be specific.


14) How has your education and professional experience prepared you for this office?


15) Do you own property in Ellis County, and if so, for how long?


16) Have you declared bankruptcy or have had any liens placed upon you in the past 10 years? If so, please explain.


17) Prior to your candidacy, or prior to your election for your first term (for incumbents seeking re-election), have you attended Commissioners' Court meetings? If so, how often during the previous 12 months? If not often, please explain why.


18) What distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?


19) What are the three greatest challenges facing Ellis County? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?


20) If elected, what are your top three priorities? How will you work with other elected officials and county staff to achieve them? Be specific.


21) Is there a specific item you would add or remove from the county budget? Please explain.


22) If elected, will you work with others to reduce county spending? Please explain how and in what areas.


23) Would you vote to increase or decrease property tax rates? Please explain.


24) In 2016, County Judge Carol Bush asked a salary grievance board for a raise. She received a $70,000 per year increase in her salary, thus resulting in a 74% increase over her previous $94,835 salary. With a new salary of $165,000, the Ellis County Judge position now pays more than the $153,000 salary of the Texas Governor. What do you believe is a fair salary for the position of County Judge and what would you do to ensure your salary matches what you believe to be a fair salary?


25) Would you vote in favor of a pay raise for yourself and other county commissioners during your first and second year in office? Please explain your position.


26) Do you support a raise for non-elected county employees? If so, by how much?


27) The current County Judge has been accused of giving select individual non-elected county employees more significant raises than the across-the-board raises for non-elected county employees? Do you believe this is appropriate and fair? Please explain.


28) What will happen with your current occupation if elected?


29) Name one county program or department you would like to improve. Please explain.


30) In recent years there have been situations where other elected officials have had disagreements with some members of the Ellis County Commissioners' Court and the perception of budgetary revenge has ensued from some of those members of the court. How would you handle these situations and what would you do to prevent this from occurring in the future?


31) If elected, what measures would you take to ensure the efficient operation of Ellis County?


32) If elected, what measures would you take to generate economic development opportunities for Ellis County?


33) Government transparency has been an issue at all levels of politics for the past few years. Do you feel that the county is transparent enough? If not, what needs to change?


34) If elected, would you support changing one daytime Commissioners' Court meeting to an evening meeting so that daytime working residents can participate in our county government meetings? If so, how soon would you propose the change after taking office? Please explain your position.


35) In order to successfully represent the residents of Ellis County you will have to work with people who do not share your opinion on issues. What is your plan to ensure that all residents are fairly represented and that their voice is heard?


36) If elected, how would you reach out and form relationships with residents of Ellis County and how would you reach out to those residents in the outlying areas of the county?


37) What are the factors on which you will base your decisions as County Judge?


38) Is there any additional information that you feel voters should know about your political views?


39) Why should voters choose you?


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