DON KOESTER RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AS WASHINGTON CO. PRECINCT 1 COMMISSIONER
(courtesy photo)
Washington County Precinct 1 Commissioner Don Koester has announced his intent to seek a third term in office.
Koester has served as county commissioner since January 1, 2017 and will run as a Republican in the March 2024 primary. A lifelong Washington County resident, he worked for 32 years at Sears Roebuck and Co. before retiring in 2005. He now owns Don’s Appliance and has trained several technicians in the service business.
Koester says he prioritizes honesty and being available to the public at all times.
Some previous accomplishments Koester pointed to included completing the Engineering and Development Services facility that houses the road and bridge, addressing and environmental departments; providing additional opportunities for county fire departments to receive funding; and budgeting conservatively to be prepared should any problems arise. He says he is proud of all county departments and believes in supporting them all, adding that the county is trying to give meaningful raises to employees.
One way Koester says the county will be able to save money in the future is by paving its own roads, rather than bringing in an outside contractor, using in-house road and bridge equipment.
Koester is a former member of the Brenham Volunteer Fire Department and has served as a commissioners court liaison to the county’s volunteer firefighters, as well as for Faith Mission, the Washington County Expo, Margaret E. Blizzard Senior Activity Center and Brenham museum.
In addition, Koester is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and has been involved with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Texas Quality Water Association and Washington County Historical Commission. He and his wife of 22 years, Lessie Ann Koester, are active members of the Washington County Republican Club and have attended local and state conventions.
Koester will be joined on the primary ballot by Misti Hartstack Corn, who declared her candidacy for the commissioner position earlier this month. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is November 11th.