I was just gonna write a little blurb about his announcement for County Judge this past Thursday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I wanted to write on a personal level about Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Judge Wayne Mack, a man who came from a humble background and has gone on to do great things. And the story is not gonna stop there, not with his mission. Mack says words that I like to hear. Honor. Integrity. Family. God. And he’s not ashamed about his life, nor where he came from. His family name does not automatically give him clout like it has done others in Montgomery County, and I’m proud of that. Wayne is not mentioned with others, those I feel who don’t represent The County at any level of government with a true heart; those who care more about their own interests than the citizens they are supposed to work for. He doesn’t have the need to garner the spotlight in intense situations. God is Judge Mack’s spotlight, and he goes where it’s pointed, not afraid to counter Democrats (Communists in my mind), who aimed to quash prayer in Mack’s courtroom; and he‘s not afraid, to call a spade a spade when it comes to weakness in Republican politicians, afraid to embrace Conservatism, and in some ways are a bigger gulf than the divide between Democrats and Republicans.
I was pleased with the Judge Mack supporters who showed up on-stage, with an actual surprise or two. They were the ones that I haven’t looked at with any disdain amongst the cadre of Montgomery County officials at all levels, and quite frankly, not ashamed to openly Praise God in a public space. My friend Jack McClanahan, who had a table at the event, but is a terrible inviter, since I was the only one had showed; so I scrambled myself into scanning the crowd finding my friends, from the Conroe Symphony and Walden Men’s Club (who are now Jack’s friends), then a 105 buddy, Judge John Hafley. And when Judge Mack made the rounds to our table, he looked at Jack and said peering at me. “Don’t trust a word he says,” which had the entire table rolling. Of course it was all in jest, since Judge Mack had personally invited me to his Big Beautiful Birthday Bash months back. And I don’t know if Wayne has enough time to read my OPED’s, which can fume RINOs to no end, but ‘uh, what the Judge spoke in asking for the crowd’s support for his County Judge campaign, well, it made me proud. It kind of validated what I see as taking a risk in writing to unite the Republican Party rather than to divide it.
Former District Attorney Brett Ligon, and current candidate for Texas Senate District 4, was tasked with the Introduction of Candidates for the event, but before he completed his task, rightfully lauded Judge Mack. Ligon shared a personal story about Judge Mack approaching him when he was The County’s head custodian, considering his first run for Justice of the Peace. He saw Wayne as a man of the people and faith, and appreciated his Power of Prayer in making the decision to run for office. He quoted Judge Mack, when the choice was made, “God’s will be done,” which reflects the importance of the man running a campaign that reflects Christian values and integrity. It’s worked for all his runs for the JP’s office, and it will work in his run for Montgomery County Judge.
The Judge’s wife Mindy introduced him. She is a faithful lady, having had her own career with the Conroe Police Department as a communications officer. Together they raised a family, supported each other, and Mindy has been the foundation in Judge Mack’s life and service to Montgomery County, being his support, so he can go about his mission. And it’s easy for those who have the knack, to detect the sincerity in her voice, in how she described her husband’s service, leadership, and vision for Montgomery County. In how he has served us decade after decade starting in the most humble of roles, a janitor, to being elected Justice of the Peace Precinct 1. Many appreciate how Judge Mack advocates for unity, and purpose-driven leadership, that The County needs in a time of rapid growth. Mindy noted that Wayne’s campaign will highlight accountability, public safety, infrastructure, and unity, and emphasized public service as a calling; NOT ABOUT POWER, but as it should be in The County, about serving THE PEOPLE.
Some may look at Judge Mack starting his campaign 89 days before the primary as foolhardy, but in being honest, he doesn’t need to waste people’s time with a longer campaign. He’s already got the name recognition, and it will be easy enough for Mack to point out the current leadership with their paddling of a circular rowboat, and Judge Wayne does have a point.
At another gathering over the weekend, I was able to steal a few moments with Judge Mack. He hails from Wisconsin, and at age 20 in 1985, after an interview with the pastor of a church in Conroe, he started to set down roots in Montgomery County. He began his work with the county in the janitorial service, and with an honest and hard work ethic made his way up to the top rung. He befriended Brett Ligon when he assumed office as the Montgomery County District Attorney in 2009, and by 2013 approached his friend with advice on his intentions for the JPs office. Over the years, Judge Mack readied himself for his aim, by graduating from the Lone Star College Police Academy, and working in reserve capacities with the Precinct 1 Constables Office, and the Conroe Police Department. After assuming his JP office he began the Justice Court Chaplaincy Program that brought ministers from all faiths to assist with families in crisis and tragedy with the hope to start healing from their grief.
Judge Mack is very supportive of organizations that work with behavioral health and suicide prevention, and is quite concerned with reductions of services while suicide rates are not on the decline. His campaign is really a Call to Action, and the story he relayed to me about his decision to run for County Judge, and how he was warned, and I say that lightly; to stay away from a campaign for The County’s Top Spot, just weeks before his annual Prayer Breakfast. What Mack said to me made me clench my fists and jaw, and it bubbled my skin. And Judge Mack, being a Man of God, after hearing those words, only took five hours to decide that he was all in. I’m not gonna say verbatim what he was told in a threatening and condescending manner. But if those words were uttered to me. I wouldn’t have been so Godly in my response, and I don’t blame Judge Mack for not backing down. In my work, I’ve been threatened too. Ask my publisher. And when you have the receipts on your side, you have nothing to fear. Truth matters in politics, and it takes a massive effort to get the word out. We’ve seen it in President Donald Trump, and Elon Musk, each calling BS on Democrats and the media, and quite frankly we need to call it in Montgomery County RINOs as well. If we can’t have honest politicians in Our County and in Austin, we are closer to doom than success. And right now our facade is cracking, and there is no backing to support it. Montgomery County may look Deep Red, but it’s quickly deoxygenating and could look purplish in no time, all because two factions of the same party cannot unite. Judge Mack is on the right side. He’s no RINO. I share his concerns, and will support True Conservatives that serve the people ahead of their own interests.
I like how Mack, when he took the stage to formally announce his new battle, how he brought out his shield, his personal Bible, to guide him in his speech. It’s basically his rubric for judgement each time he enters his courtroom, and it’s a great manual for how to live a rightful life. And when he spoke its words, from Psalms, and other verses, he backed up his 40 year career in Montgomery County, by showing up, working, building relationships, solving problems, and running
towards the chaos. And it’s true that he actually lives his faith as opposed to the RINOs who only talk it.
Another thing I like about Judge Mack is that he has never asked for endorsements, which is Tops in my book. RINOs tout endorsements, using them as sprinkles to cover the ‘F,’ or failing grade on their cupcakes. I’ve been critical of them as well, basically calling them more worthless than a bucket of warm spit, saying what does President Trump know of Texas Legislative politics? Nothing. And this piece is not an endorsement of Mack, it’s a statement of fact, an exhibition of receipts that are transparent, and if you don’t like what I say. Well, David Crockett said something about going to some hot place to the people of his community when he left Tennessee for Texas, and I share the same sentiment.
Honesty is a word I love. Loyalty too. I love the word transparency, especially when it comes to money. Mack echoes those sentiments. He’s not one to show bravado, with a constant aim to find himself in front of a camera. He wants a Montgomery County where elected officials trust each other, where city and school boards, and ESDs and precinct chairs and party chairs are honest. Where departments feel effective communication, and employees feel valued, where people matter, not driven by political decisions because someone’s palm got greased.
I’m convinced that Judge Mack intends to run his race in the way his faith matters to him. It’s gonna be about other words I like, Honor. Leadership. Faith. Ideas. Things that uplift people, and give them guidance without compromising ideals that are carved into our hearts and minds, all based on God’s teachings. And Mack has survived multiple federal lawsuits from atheists who wanted to rob his courtroom of the Judeo-Christian values that birthed Our Nation, with a simple prayer in belief of a Higher Being other than that of man. That’s the basis of his campaign for County Judge, and really the basis for his entire life.