Jhiela Poynter (Refugio County Judge, Texas, candidate 2026)
Jhiela Poynter (Republican Party) (also known as Gigi) is running for re-election for judge of the Refugio County Judge in Texas. Poynter is on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
Poynter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Jhiela Poynter provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on January 16, 2026:
Elections
Republican primary
Republican primary for Refugio County Judge
Incumbent Jhiela Poynter (R) and Richard L. Jankovsky III (R) are running in the Republican primary for Refugio County Judge on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
Jhiela Poynter  | ||
| Richard L. Jankovsky III | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jhiela Poynter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Poynter's responses.
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- My campaign centers on measurable progress: securing millions in grants, restoring critical infrastructure, modernizing emergency preparedness, and driving early population and wage growth after decades of decline. My leadership is results-driven; focused on moving Refugio County from planning to implementation and sustaining long-term momentum.
- I have spent 14 years as an attorney and more than 20 years in the legal field. As County Judge, I have worked hard to maintain decisive, transparent leadership focused on responsible budgeting, efficient court operations, and building strong partnerships across local, regional, and state agencies.
- I have promoted a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the county’s economy, support workforce development, and invest in community assets. My Horizon Refugio 2036 initiative brings together residents from across the county to align priorities and guide growth through the county’s bicentennial. The key message emphasizes collaboration, opportunity, and building a stronger future for all residents.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
