John Wray chosen interim Ellis County Judge

ELLIS COUNTY – The Ellis County Commissioners voted to appoint former State Representative John Wray (R-House District 10) to fill the County Judge seat at a May 7, special Commissioner’s Court meeting.

Wray will officially take the seat on May 15 when County Judge Todd Little is vacating the position. 

Little announced he would be vacating last month when he was chosen as the North Central Texas Council of Governments new Executive Director.

The new county judge will complete Judge Little’s term through November 2026, which is the next scheduled election for Ellis County Judge.

In addition to being a State Representative, Wray also served on the Waxahachie City Council from 2008 – 2014 and was elected Waxahachie Mayor in 2013. 

He was elected to represent District 10 in the Texas House of Representatives in 2015, where he served on the Ways & Means, Public Health, Calendars, Transportation and Homeland Security & Public Safety committees.

Including Wray, the list of others who applied for county judge seat included Richard Rozier, Teral Crawford, Byron Gentry, Matthew Edwards, Michael Navarro and Conor McGuire.
Commissioners interviewed the candidates in an executive session of the Commissioners’ Court on May 7 before making the final decision and unanimously voting for Wray.

“I have been advised that since I will be working with the new Ellis County Judge through NCTCOG, it would be best for me to abstain from the vote,” Little said. “I trust that commissioners will choose the best candidate to complete my term.”

Commissioner Kyle Butler, pct. 4, made the motion to appoint former Representative John Wray. Commissioner Randy Stinson, pct.1, seconded in a 4-0 with Little abstaining.