On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and ordered him to undergo additional education for violating the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. The commission found that Becerra had used his position to promote private interests and cast doubt on his impartiality by advertising local businesses on his social media accounts.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Ruben Becerra,” with case number 25-0594.
The commission’s decision followed a review of allegations against Becerra, who serves as County Judge in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. Becerra was notified of the commission’s concerns and provided a written response, later appearing before the commission on April 8, 2026, to give testimony.
According to the findings of fact, Judge Becerra owns several social media accounts, including a Facebook page titled “Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra,” a personal Facebook page, an Instagram page, and an X (formerly Twitter) page. His Judge Facebook Page directly links to his other social media pages.
The commission found that Becerra had posted advertisements for local businesses on his social media pages, including twelve advertisements on his Judge Facebook Page, three on his Personal Facebook Page, fifteen on his Judge Instagram Page, and five on his Judge X Page. Twelve of these posts were for Gil’s Broiler & the Manske Roll Bakery, which Judge Becerra’s Personal Facebook Page identifies him as the owner of. His wife owns Becerra Corporation, which owns Gil’s.
Additionally, Judge Becerra organized a monthly car show called “Classic Rides on El Camino Real” through Hays Classic Rides/Classic Cars of Hays County. His son, Cristian, owns Classic Cars of Hays County. The car show took place on the Hays County courthouse grounds, with each vehicle and vendor required to pay a $20 fee. Classic Rides offered sponsorship levels, including a Premier Level at $1,000, a Platinum Level at $500 (including “Judge Becerra Swag”), and a Gold Level at $250.
The Commission determined that Judge Becerra should receive two hours of additional education in the area of social media and the judiciary, in addition to his required annual judicial education for Fiscal Year 2026. The Texas Association of Counties will assign a mentor for Judge Becerra. Judge Becerra must complete the additional instruction within 60 days of receiving notification of the mentor assignment.
The Commission cited Canon 2B and Canon 4A(1) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct as the basis for its decision. Canon 2B states that “A judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others.” Canon 4A(1) states that “A judge shall conduct all of the judge’s extra-judicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
