WACO (September 13, 2012)—Eighteen people applied before the 5 p.m. deadline Thursday to succeed retiring McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis.
The candidates include McLennan County Clerk Andy Harwell, Lewis’ longtime assistant Lynne Lockwood and Waco lawyers Gary Cunha, Ralph Cooper, J. Douglas Froneberger, Kimberly Schott, and Galen Edwards.
The others are Michael Holcomb, Nathan Goldenberg, Charles C. Hutyra, Jose Villanuevo, Fred Swaner, Laura Harrington, Scott Felton,
Kimberley Schott, Shelly Cawthon, Jayhugh Leutwyler III, Richard Fry, and Jewel Lockridge.
Lewis unexpectedly announced his retirement on Aug. 28 at the conclusion of a Commissioners' Court budget session.
He said he was leaving his office so he could spend more time with his wife, who also is retiring at the end of September, and with the couple's three grandchildren.
In a letter Lewis expressed appreciation to friends and coworkers “that have become like a family to me over the past 40 years.”
“There are many who have influenced my life during my time with the sheriff’s department to my time on the commissioners court and during my tenure as Judge.”
The replacement the Commissioner's Court appoints will serve the remainder of Lewis' term.
Lewis was first elected to the post in 1990.
He was next up for reelection in 2014.
