County Judge Joel Hale announces another bid for office

Published 12:18 pm Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Rusk County Judge Joel Hale has officially announced his intention to pursue another term in his nearly 15 year career on the bench.

Following the Monday Commissioners Court meeting, Hale announced to The Henderson News that he would be seeking reelection based on continued community support from the community.

“My health is good and I like my job,” explained Hale of his decision.

Hale stepped into his role as Rusk County Judge in January of 2011, following a highly contested primary, and subsequent April run off election in which he defeated Kilgore attorney Tom Brown with 1,887 votes, or 62.22%, to earn the Republican nomination for the uncontested race to the title.

In his lengthy tenure as County Judge, Hale has weathered local storms, both literal and figurative.

Through floods and fires, tornadoes and drought, Hale has presided over Rusk County Commissioners as they weighed the ever-changing needs of their constituents. From burn bans and disaster declarations to county-wide COVID restrictions, Hale has overseen more than a decade of Rusk County’s most important decisions.

Before donning his robes and pounding his trusty gavel, Hale was a longtime employee of Henderson Independent School District, where he served as a teacher, coach, principal and administrator.

Hale’s current term is set to expire in Dec. of 2026.