Wise County Commissioners Court Attorney Thomas Aaberg has been appointed to temporarily serve as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace (JP 1) until a candidate is elected to the position, County Judge J.D. Clark ordered Monday.
Aaberg’s appointment as temporary justice is effective immediately. The vacancy was created after former JP 1 Jan Morrow retired at the end of the year. She served nearly three decades as JP 1 office.
Aaberg will serve in the role until a candidate is selected in the four-person JP 1 race in the March 3 Republican primary. Clark said that the court would opt to appoint the winning JP 1 candidate to the position at the conclusion of the Republican primary election, since no candidates filed to run for JP 1 in the Democratic primary.
Due to the amount of candidates vying for JP 1, it’s likely that none reach a 50 percent majority, which would extend the primary race to a runoff that would be determined in May.
The candidates running for JP 1 include Bill Hogg, Francisca Ortiz, Jason Van Dyke and Ed Villa.
Aaberg will continue his duties as Commissioners Court Attorney while serving as a temporary justice.
“Thomas, I appreciate your willingness to get us through these next few months and I appreciate the other JPs for collaborating with Thomas and helping him keep it rolling, too,” Clark said.
Aaberg has served the county through transition periods before. He was appointed as county attorney when James Stainton received the district attorney appointment, up until Che Rotramble was elected to the position. He joined the county in 2001 in the county attorney’s office and was appointed commissioners court attorney in 2009. He also serves as municipal judge for the cities of Alvord and Chico.
The decision to appoint Aaberg came after commissioners met for over an hour in closed session at Monday’s meeting. Clark explained that the county was not comfortable appointing any of the candidates vying for the role.
“Of course, we don’t want to appoint somebody that’s running for that position to do that job,” Clark said. “We let the voters choose who their new JP is going to be. In the meantime, we still need business running in JP 1 and we still need somebody that can handle the on-call schedule along with the other JPs.”
In a press release issued Monday, Clark praised Aaberg’s experience and track record with the county.
“Thomas is a steady hand and a trusted public servant,” Clark said. “His deep knowledge of county law and record of service ensure that Precinct 1 will be well served during this transition period. I’m grateful for his willingness to step in and keep services running smoothly for our residents.”
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners approved polling locations and times for the March 3 joint primary election.
Early voting is Feb. 17-27. The Decatur Conference Center is the main early voting location, with polls located at the east entrance in the Eaton Board Room. The Boyd Community Center, Bridgeport ISD Alternative Learning Center and Alvord City Hall are also polling sites during early voting.
The last day to register to vote is Feb. 2 (postmarked), and the last day to apply for ballot by mail is Feb. 20. Early voting hours are Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 17-20, 2026 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 22 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday-Friday, Feb. 23-27 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be more polling locations throughout the county on Election Day.
More information is available at www.co.wise.tx.us/315/Elections.
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