Early voting in the 2026 Primary Election ends this Friday, and Election Day is Tuesday March 3. The most closely watched race on the ballot is the Precinct 4 County Commissioner seat. Incumbent Jerry Don Moss has held the position for nearly two decades, but this year, Robert Little is challenging him for the Republican nomination. If successful, Little would face the Democratic candidate in November—his wife, Leila Green Little.
This marks just the third time in 19 years that Moss has faced a Republican challenger—and possibly the first time a Democrat has pursued the seat since Moss himself ran as a Democrat in his first two terms in 2006 and 2010. To describe this election cycle as historic for Precinct 4 and Llano County would be no exaggeration.
Simmering beneath the surface of the campaign is the now-infamous Llano County Library lawsuit, which began in 2022 and reached the Supreme Court before being dismissed in December of 2025. Moss is named as a defendant in the lawsuit spearheaded by Leila Green Little, which focused on the county's removal of 17 books addressing topics like race, gender and sexuality.
As candidates present their platforms on the county budget, transparency, and roads, one question looms: Is this race ultimately a litmus test of the county’s divide over the lawsuit, fueled by highly charged issues like censorship and ideology?
Candidate Profiles
The News attended forums held January 20 at the Llano Library hosted by the Llano County GOP, and February 12 at the Llano County Community Center hosted by the Daily Trib. The following candidate profiles were compiled from those question-and-answer sessions, the League of Women Voters Guide, and additional questions submitted by the Llano News, which the candidates answered via email.
Robert Little
League of Women Voters Questions:
1. What training and experience qualifies you to serve as the Llano County Commissioner for Precinct 4?
I have over 400 hours of continuing education through the Texas Association of Counties and have served as Llano County Commissioner for more than 19 years. I have participated in approximately 475 Commissioners Court meetings. My experience give me a strong understanding of Texas Law, county government, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
2. What are your top three priorities, if elected as the County Commissioner for Precinct 4?
a. I’d make a motion and advocate during the budget workshop to reduce county commissioners’ pay to match the median full-time county employee salary. Commissioners shouldn’t make more than twice what other county employees make.
b. I’d make a motion and advocate during the budget workshop to increase base pay for the other full-time county employees that earn below the median salary. All of our county employees work hard every day for us, and they should be compensated fairly.
c. I’d advocate for and spearhead efforts to create a hospital district tax to support our local hospital.
3. What is your experience working with budgets the size of the Llano County budget?
In addition to managing millions of dollars of client assets as a financial advisor, I manage the finances of 3 companies with a cumulative annual budget of around 5 million dollars.
4. Do you feel the budget for Llano County is adequate for the needs of the county? Explain.
The budget is adequate, but it’s certainly misallocated. I’d advocate for increasing the money spent on human capital while identifying areas for cost savings in equipment and technology sectors.
Daily Trib Question:
1. What are your specific plans for ensuring open communication and transparency with the public as you conduct county business?
I think there's a lot more we can do with transparency. The budget process is hard to understand and I think we need to, as a court, go out there and meet with people. Maybe show up at City Council and discuss what the county is doing. People aren't going to search out the information, we have to go out and tell people what's going on. They're worried about paying bills and going to work. Meetings should be recorded so people can look at that. Commissioners Court is during the day, it's hard for people to go. Lots of people don't have the ability to talk to their government because they are at work.
Llano News Questions:
1. If a hospital taxing district proposal were to move forward, would you favor a countywide district or one limited to a defined service area? Please explain your reasoning.
The hospital is an important part of Llano’s county’s ecosystem. It functions as a driver of our local economy, in addition to providing healthcare services to a rapidly aging county population. A locally managed hospital will be invested in our community, and will strive for better customer experiences than an impersonal large healthcare company. I’m in favor of spearheading efforts for creating a countywide hospital district.
2. What is your response to Precinct 4 voters who have raised concerns about possible structural damage to the new Schneider’s Slab bridge following the 2024 and 2025 flood events, and what information can you provide regarding the County’s assessment or actions, if any?
If I was a commissioner, I would ask the road and bridge department workers for their assessment. The solutions that have been attempted are evidently not effective long term. I suggest we consult with the Texas Department of Transportation and get their recommendations. If I was commissioner, I certainly would not react negatively when citizens brought this matter to my attention.
3. How do you plan to work with the City of Llano and the Llano Chamber of Commerce to effectively represent the interests of Precinct 4 at Commissioners Court? In your view, does the current working relationship require improvement? If so, how?
The County has kept the City of Llano at an arm’s length, and I propose working in tandem with the City’s leadership to address mutual interests. In addition to the City of Llano, I propose working with interested parties such as the Llano Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce to create a strategic plan for growth.
4. If you win the primary, you would appear on the November ballot opposite your wife. How would you navigate that situation, should it occur?
I am running to give voters a choice. My wife and I have very different skill sets, and the electorate in this scenario would decide which of us could best serve our County.
5. Some voters in Precinct 4 have expressed concerns about your connection to the county library litigation and the lawsuit involving Kuhdoo Soap Co. How do you respond to those concerns?
Voters should see that I take the law very seriously, and understand that taking legal action is sometimes necessary in both business and civil matters.
6. Have you attended regular Commissioners Court meetings in the past? Can you explain your level of engagement with the Court leading up to this election?
I stay informed about the commissioners court’s activities by reading the news and reviewing the budget. Like many of my fellow citizens, I’m busy working during the meeting times of commissioners court. I propose that the meetings be livestreamed and recorded so that the public can have the choice to see proceedings for themselves.
Jerry Don Moss
League of Women Voters Questions:
1. What training and experience qualifies you to serve as the Llano County Commissioner for Precinct 4?
My 20 years of experience in business and finance provide me with an informed perspective and insight into our county budget. I am a 2001 graduate of Llano High School and a 2005 graduate of Texas Tech University.
2. What are your top three priorities, if elected as the County Commissioner for Precinct 4?
1. Protect the taxpayer by continuing conservative budgeting and maintain a low tax rate. 2. Support county employees with fair pay and strong benefits so we can keep experienced, dependable workers. 3. Maintain and improve county roads, using taxpayer dollars efficiently and responsibly.
3. What is your experience working with budgets the size of the Llano County budget?
I have worked on 19 county budgets during my 19 years as commissioner. I work closely with department heads and elected officials to ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely, conservatively, and only where necessary. My goal has always been to fund essential services without waste.
4. Do you feel the budget for Llano County is adequate for the needs of the county? Explain.
I do not believe the Llano County budget is inflated. Llano County provides necessary services while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in the State of Texas. This reflects fiscal discipline, conservative budgeting, and respect for the taxpayer.
Daily Trib Question:
1. What are your specific plans for ensuring open communication and transparency with the public as you conduct county business?
The legislature just made it so commissioners court agendas now have to be posted 3 businesses days before the meeting instead of 72 hours. I'm in favor of that. What that does it gives everyone a chance to research things and talk to officials to get ready for commissioners court. I could be better about posting on social media but I'll be honest, most of the time we don't have very many people at our meetings because I believe they trust us to handle our business. I'm an open book, I'll talk about anything to anybody.
Llano News Questions:
1. If a hospital taxing district proposal were to move forward, would you favor a countywide district or one limited to a defined service area? Please explain your reasoning.
I would support a hospital district for the servicing area. However, the hospital is running better each and every day. I'm very proud of the Hospital Authority Board, and I wholeheartedly support our hospital in Llano.
2. What is your response to Precinct 4 voters who have raised concerns about possible structural damage to the new Schneider’s Slab bridge following the 2024 and 2025 flood events, and what information can you provide regarding the County’s assessment or actions, if any?
I appreciate the public being concerned about our roads and bridges, but there are not any structural damages to the Schneider’s slab bridge. Our professionals that work at road and bridge repaired the approaches to the bridge after multiple floods. If there were any danger to the public, I assure you, we would address it as soon as possible.
3. How do you plan to work with the City of Llano and the Llano Chamber of Commerce to effectively represent the interests of Precinct 4 at Commissioners Court? In your view, does the current working relationship require improvement? If so, how?
I have decades of experience working with the City of Llano, as well as many other entities throughout Llano County. We’ve completed several projects within the City of Llano, and I’ve worked closely with various city managers over the years. I have an excellent working relationship with the leaders of Llano County.
4. Term limits are on the Republican primary ballot, and voters in Precinct 4 have expressed concerns about the length of your tenure in office, calling for fresh perspective. How do you respond to those concerns?
I don’t think term limits are an issue in small communities, especially with me. I’m involved in everything there is around here. I’m out and about in our town and community. I look people in the eye, I shake their hand, and I hear their concerns.
5. If Robert Little wins the Republican primary, do you intend to support him in the November general election? Please explain your position.
I firmly believe I'm the best candidate for this position! My years of experience and the job I have done make me very qualified. Experience brings knowledge that is hard to replace. I work hard for you everyday, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you for another term. I will support the Republican Party and I ask all of Precinct 4 to please vote for Jerry Don Moss. Thank you.
