Unofficial election results out of Bastrop County show just four votes deciding the race for the Republican sheriff nomination, showing a win for Maurice Cook with 50.23 percent of the vote.
Cook formerly worked as Chief of the Texas Rangers and ran on his experience in law enforcement.
"I've never done anything halfway. If I am in charge, I am going to try to be the best sheriff that I can be," Cook said in an interview before the election.
The other candidate was Matthew Henderson, a local constable. A lifelong Bastrop resident, Henderson ran on his knowledge of the area and his easygoing temperament.
While the results of the election had yet to be verified, Cook said over the phone that he looks forward to taking on Democrat Mike Renck in November.
Henderson said he had no regrets with how he ran his campaign, and no animosity toward his fellow Republican.
"No hard feelings whatsoever," Henderson said. "And like I say, I lose my constable job at the end of the year so if I'm not sheriff I'll be hunting for a job somewhere else in the county."
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