JULIE RENKEN WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM AS WASHINGTON CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken is not running for another term next year.
pictured here speaking at an observance for fallen
peace officers on May 20, 2022, has announced she
will not seek re-election and will retire after the end
of her current term on January 1, 2025.
Renken announced in a press release today (Wednesday) that she will retire from public service at the end of her current term in office on January 1, 2025. She will complete her third term before retiring.
Renken said this decision was not made lightly and that it is difficult to walk away, but she believes “it is time for someone else to lead the District Attorney’s office.” She said she is very grateful for the community’s many years of support and that it has been “a blessing to serve many crime victims to help them receive justice.”
Renken served as an Assistant District Attorney from 1996 to 2000 before being elected as the Washington County Attorney. She held that position from 2001 until 2012, when she was elected as the 21st Judicial Attorney, where she was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
From 2013-2019, Renken was the District Attorney for both Washington and Burleson counties until the legislature split the district, leaving Washington County as the sole county in her district by the end of 2019. At the time of retirement, she will have completed 29 years as a criminal prosecutor in Washington County.
Julie and her husband, Tyler, a 22-year veteran for the Houston Fire Department, moved permanently to Washington County in 1996. Their two daughters, Moriah and Gabby, both graduated from Brenham High School; Moriah is attending Texas A&M University, and Gabby will start this fall at Texas Tech University.
Full statement from Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken:
“I have not made this decision lightly but after much prayer and discussion with my family, I believe it is time for someone else to lead the District Attorney’s office. I am very grateful for a community that has supported me for so long and allowed me the opportunity to serve in this vital position. Thank you! Law and Order is vital for our community to continue to move in a positive direction in which the District Attorney’s Office plays an important role. I pray that the next District Attorney will continue in the positive direction that we are heading and understands the importance of their role. This was never just a job for me. It was a calling and a passion and it is difficult to walk away, but it is time. I am thankful for all the men and women in law enforcement that I have had the honor with which to serve. It has been a blessing to serve many crime victims to help them receive justice and to watch the criminal justice system change the lives of some of the offenders. I want to thank my family for all their undying support through the years, all the employees that have played such a large role in helping my vision become a reality and all the other elected officials with whom I have served who all work hard to make Washington County such an incredible place to live.”
Mrs. Renken was a blessing to Washington County. I had the pleasure to work with her briefly as a WCSO deputy and her professionalism, kindness, and grace have left a lasting impact on me. Washington County is in a better place because of her, her commitment to serve and protect the citizens, and her support of the law enforcement officers of this county.
Long before Washington and Burleson Counties knew her, a star was rising in McLennan County and we who sit under the “X” in Texas knew it. There was never a doubt about her trajectory and the Robinson Rockets of Central Texas are very proud of her.
(Nathan Barrier, former Head Football Coach and Athletic Director, Robinson ISD)
I did not personally know Julie until I got the privilege to serve on the Grand Jury and did 2 terms cause of pandemic.
She was very professional, caring, nice person who did not mind discussing anything you needed to discuss.
THANK YOU for your service!!
Julie has been our hero legal Sheepdog for many years now.
She has fought evil and paid the price of incredible stress.
Julie, lay down your legal sword.
You have put demons in their cages.
You have made us safer.
Rest now, enjoy some peace.
And Thank You!
Thank you for your appreciated service to the Washington County people. I think you have done us all good job.
I am saddened to hear this news, however, am grateful to Julie Reinken for making repeat offenders and sexual predators a priority, and crime as a whole for Washington County as well as helping the victim’s and in serving justice for them. Thank you for all your hard work and service all these years. May God protect you and your family in the next chapter of your life.