Gfeller running for Castro County judge

Since announcing my bid for Castro County Judge, I have been overwhelmed by the support from this community. I want to take an opportunity to introduce myself and explain why I am running for Castro County Judge.

My name is Mandy Gfeller, and I have spent my life loving Castro County. I was raised in Hart and graduated from Dimmitt High School in 1995. I married my high school sweetheart, Matt, and we have two adult children, Mavrik and Madeline. Mavrik is an Attorney in Castro County, and Madeline is pursuing her Bachelor of Science at Texas Tech.

Over the years, I have worn many hats. After I had my children, I became a registered X-Ray technologist at Plains Memorial Hospital in Dimmitt. After serving with the hospital district, I went back to school and earned my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from WTAMU and taught at Dimmitt Middle School. Four years into teaching, I earned my Master of Educational Counseling and continued to serve in Dimmitt ISD until 2014.

My husband, Matt, is a farmer and feed yard owner, and together we have managed those businesses and supported and advocated for other small businesses in our community. Over the last few years, my husband and I have worked to bring new life to the Dimmitt Square and established the Walking G Guesthouse and Cow Palace in 2019. Our latest project has been the renovation of what was once the Castro County News building, transforming it into the Walking G Stampede Event Center. I know Castro County is a land of opportunity and I want to work to bring our home to its full potential.

My great-grandparents, Harvey and Delphia Davis, made Castro County their home in 1946; including my son who recently returned to Dimmitt; we are five generations of Castro County Residents. Over the last 75 years, life in our county has changed in so many ways— some good and some bad. What hasn’t changed, however, is our community’s commitment to family. My personal commitment to my family has always been my priority. Through family, we learn the importance of building relationships, growth, respect, honor, and integrity—without these core values, we have nothing.

As County Judge, I want to work to build relationships that have been broken, grow our county and show others that Castro County is and has always been a great place to live, and create an atmosphere of mutual respect, honor, and integrity. I have always felt a personal responsibility to help make our community better and I believe that I can do just that by becoming the next judge of Castro County.

Castro County is at a crossroads, and now is the time to make changes that will help advance us as a community and preserve our county for years to come. According to the 2020 census, the population of Castro County has seen a net decrease of over 1,000 people. In a county with approximately 7,000 residents, the loss of so many people in such a short amount of time is troubling. If this trend continues, our county and the communities in it will no longer be able to support themselves. This is one of the many reasons why I decided to run for Castro County Judge. We have a responsibility to market our county in a way that brings in businesses and families.

Here are just a few of the goals that I plan to achieve over the next four years if I am elected.

1) Greater support for local law enforcement: It is no secret that it is difficult to find and keep peace officers in Castro County. It’s a dangerous and often thankless job that does not offer adequate compensation. Our county has fantastic law enforcement, but after a few years, many officers move to other agencies because they find more competitive pay elsewhere. One of my priorities will be to incentivize peace officers to stay in Castro County and show them the appreciation they deserve.

2) Upgrade County Facilities: Many of the facilities owned by the county have fallen into disrepair or are no longer attractive. From the expo building to the annex buildings and even the Courthouse, many of these facilities have not been brought into the 21st century. If we want to grow as a county, we have to have buildings that function and are safe. Our goal for county owned property should be making it visually appealing, updated, safe and functional.

3) Funding: Small counties like ours often struggle to find excess funds to take on extra projects, but funding through grants is available. I plan on using my background in education, technology, and as a small business owner to find and obtain grant funding to achieve most of these goals—the money is out there, you must look for it!

4) Support programs that equip our youth for the future: We have a responsibility to continue to encourage our next generation and advocate for them. Castro County is blessed with three phenomenal school districts, and I have been connected to each of them—I was raised in Hart; my husband, son and I are Dimmitt Alumni, and my daughter graduated from Nazareth. I also spent seven years as an educator in Dimmitt. I know firsthand the value of building up a better and brighter generation, and it truly takes a village. Our three school districts work tirelessly to make sure that our youths are supported, and I want to work with county facilities like the extension service, the library, and the juvenile probation office to find ways the county can even further support the school districts and the students they serve. An investment in our children is an investment in our future.

5) Greater expediency in the judicial process: One of my greatest strengths is time management and delegation. I believe that I have the skills and the dedication to clear up the docket and keep it up to date.

I have spent the last several weeks placing campaign signs around the county and talking with Castro County residents about the issues they face and what I can do to help. The citizens of Castro County are what make our home so great, and I believe it is the responsibility of any elected official to work toward achieving the goals of their constituents. The position of Castro County Judge is truly a position of service, and I am ready to serve. In Texas, a county judge wears many hats—they preside over the commissioner’s court, as well as over probate, small civil, and misdemeanor cases. In addition to hearing cases, the County Judge also serves as a county administrator and a budget officer.

I understand the commitment that will be required of me as Castro County Judge, and I know I can meet and exceed expectations well into the future. For me, this position would not be a simple accolade, a retirement plan, or guaranteed income—I am running because I want Castro County to thrive. If you share my vision for a greater Castro County, then I ask that you vote for Mandy Gfeller on March 1. #VoteForMandy.