Gilmer businessman elected next Upshur County judge

Published 10:55 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Gilmer businessman Brandon Dodd has been elected as the next Upshur County judge. But he says he’s not the only winner.

“Everyone wins,” Dodd told the News-Journal on Tuesday night. “We are gonna work together to bring jobs and strengthen our economy.”

Dodd bested Gilmer attorney Brandon Winn and Trace Hudgins in the Tuesday Republican primary. No Democrats are running for the office, and County Judge Todd Tefteller did not seek reelection.

Dodd received 3,638 votes, or 57.53% of all votes, according to unofficial results from the Upshur County Elections Office. Winn received 1,453 votes, or 22.98% of all votes cast. Hudgins received 1,233 votes, or 19.5%. A runoff election occurs only if no candidate receives more than 50% of all votes cast.

“I’m excited because all the things that I’ve worked for for many years for our county — I have an opportunity to do something with them,” Dodd said. “I am grateful to know that so many people — our vision seems to be the same.”

In Texas, a county judge oversees county operations and acts as the presiding officer of the county commissioners court. County judges can adjudicate some criminal and civil court cases, but some choose to leave those matters up to district court judges. County judges are not required to hold a law license, though they must be well-educated in Texas law, according to the Texas Constitution.

In East Texas, county judges often have business-related professional backgrounds or have worked in the legal field. Dodd and Winn previously told the News-Journal they’ve had friendly campaigns and respect each other, and both have deep family ties to the county.

Dodd is the owner of Beyond the Meadow Homes, which builds quality, affordable homes predominantly for first-time buyers, he said. He previously owned an auto-body shop but sold it to begin building affordable houses, a lack of which is a problem for many young adults in Upshur County, Dodd said.

Dodd has proposed strengthening economic development as a way to alleviate the property tax burden faced by county residents. County officials depend on property taxes to fund the majority of the county’s budget. Economic development, however, would give the county other tax revenue to depend on without taxing homeowners more, Dodd previously told the News-Journal.

Upshur County could be a transportation “gold mine,” Dodd said. It’s along major highways used by trucking companies, has an airport and has rail access, making it a prime location for warehouses, distribution centers, transportation companies and more.

Dodd said his opponents ran a gentleman’s race, and he knows he has their support and collaboration as people work together for the future of the county.

Dodd thanked those who turned out in support of him and said he is glad to have seen the community come together in the past year.

Dodd has been involved with the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and other organizations. He served in the Texas Army National Guard and U.S. Army after high school.