Unofficial results from the March 3, 2026 Primary Election show incumbent Bernice Burger securing victory in the Republican race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 in Austin County. Burger earned 543 votes (53.7% of the 1,012 ballots cast), defeating challenger Joseph Smith, who received 469 votes (46.3%). There were 124 undervotes. These Austin County JP4 primary results reflect all 10 precincts reporting, according to the Austin County Elections Office summary released Tuesday night.
Breakdown by voting method:
Early Voting: Burger 235, Smith 208
Election Day: Burger 294, Smith 242
Absentee: Burger 19 (tied with Smith at 19)
Judge Burger, a lifelong Austin County resident, has served more than 11 years on the Precinct 4 bench. She previously spent 25 years in law enforcement, including time with the Austin County Sheriffโs Department and 21 years with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), where she rose to the rank of sergeant. She also serves as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Wallis.
Deeply rooted in the community, Burger has raised her family in Austin County, mentored students at local high schools, served on the Austin County Fair Board, and revived the Wallis Lions Club. She remains active in local leadership and is known for her balanced approach to justice โ combining fairness, compassion, and transparency while handling Class C misdemeanors, small claims, evictions, inquests, and magistrate duties.
Challenger Joseph Smith, a lifelong Austin County resident of more than 47 years with over 33 years of law enforcement experience, campaigned on a platform of transparency, accessibility, and impartial service guided by strong family values. He maintained an active campaign Facebook page throughout the race.
Burger appeared on Austin County Newsโ โIn The Living Roomโ interview series, where she shared her passion for the role and her commitment to treating everyone equally under the law while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
With her primary victory, Bernice Burger advances as the Republican nominee for the November 2026 general election. The Precinct 4 Justice Court serves Wallis and surrounding areas (19 Birch Street, Wallis, TX 77485).
