Josh Homan Joins County Judge Race

There will be a contested Republican primary race for County Judge next year.

Fayette County Republican Party Chairman Michael Schlabach reported that Josh Homan of Flatonia filed an application for a place on the Republican ballot. He joins Josh Vandever, who announced last month that he’s running for County Judge as a Republican.

Homan currently serves on the Flatonia City Council. Homan is a veteran, having served as a helicopter pilot and Captain in the U.S. Army.

County Judge Dan Mueller announced last month that he will not seek re-election. His term ends at the end of next year. So far, one other candidate is officially running for the County Judge seat, Vandever, who currently serves as Fayette County EMS Director.

The filing period for candidates to apply for a place on the March 3 primary election ballot opened on Nov. 8. The deadline to file is Dec. 8.

In addition, Craig Moreau filed campaign finance paperwork last week, signaling a possible run in the Fayette County Judge Race.

Moreau appointed himself as campaign treasurer in a filing submitted to the Fayette County Elections Office last Thursday, Nov. 13. The form states that he is seeking election to the office of Fayette County Judge.

“I’m fully eligible to run and swear in as Fayette County’s next Judge, but I have not made a final decision,” Moreau told the Record on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Moreau served as Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator under former County Judge Joe Weber. He ran for County Judge in 2022 and lost to Mueller in the Republican runoff. Mueller, on his first day in office, dismissed Moreau as Emergency Management Coordinator.

On Aug. 13 of this year, Moreau pleaded guilty to carrying a gun in a bar and accepted a 10-year deferred sentence. The case stemmed from an accidental shooting at Pop’z Star Bar in La Grange on July 28 in which he shot himself and a female patron inside the bar.

Moreau addressed his criminal case in a statement to the Record on Wednesday: “The beautiful thing about our blessed nation is that from President of the United States, to County Judge, the voters choose who will lead our various levels of government. Romans 13:1 tells us that God establishes our leaders and throughout history people that have made mistakes have progressed to being a blessing for their community. Public service, in any capacity, is a way for me to help.”