County commissioners appoint John Wray to fill Judge Little’s vacancy

During a special meeting on Tuesday, May 7, Ellis County commissioners voted 4-0 to appoint former state Rep. John Wray (R-Waxahachie) to fill the county judge seat beginning May 15, when Judge Todd Little will vacate the position.

As a state representative, Wray had served House District 10, which includes Ellis County.

Last month, Little was selected as the new executive director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Wray will complete the unexpired portion of Little’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026. The county judge position will be up for election in November 2026.

The four commissioners decided among eight candidates who were interviewed in an executive session of the commissioners’ court on May 7.

“I have been advised that since I will be working with the new Ellis County judge through NCTCOG, it would be best for me to abstain from the vote,” Little said. “I trust that commissioners will choose the best candidate to complete my term.”

Commissioner Kyle Butler (Pct. 4) made the motion to appoint Wray, and Commissioner Randy Stinson (Pct. 1) seconded. All four commissioners, including Commissioner Lane Grayson (Pct. 2) and Commissioner Louis Ponder (Pct. 3), voted in support of Wray.

As he had previously stated, Little abstained from the vote.

“From the interviews, there’s one person that stands out, and that person is not going to re-run once his term is over, giving citizens a chance to decide for themselves in 2026,” Stinson said. “That person is John Wray.”