Louis Ponder signs the oath of office for Commissioner Precinct 4 under the watchful eyes of County Judge Todd Little and County Clerk Krystal Valdez.
Louis Ponder to fill Paul Perry’s seat
ELLIS COUNTY – Ellis County Judge Todd Little named Justice Louis Ponder to the County Commissioner Pct. 3 seat left vacant after the passing of Paul Perry.
Little made the announcement at Tuesday’s GOP primary victory party on March 5.
“As a graduate of Midlothian High School, Louis Ponder is truly a man of Ellis County,” Little explained.
“Many of us know him for the instrumental role he played in fighting forced annexation in Texas.
“Since he has been serving as a Justice of the Peace, we have not heard even one complaint about his office.
“Louis has big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that he will carry forward the conservative and fiscally responsible principles that Paul Perry championed.”
Ponder, who was serving as the Justice of the Peace for Pct. 4, was sworn into his new seat on March 7.
“It was a great honor to be appointed Commissioner of Precinct 3,” Ponder said. “I’m saddened that this appointment comes at the loss of a great friend. Commissioner Perry will be greatly missed.”
He was sworn in at the Waxahachie historic courthouse where County Clerk Krystal Valdez was present to witness and sign the paperwork to officially register Ponder for his new role.
“We could never replace Paul Perry,” Ponder said as he accepted the appointment, “but you can be sure that whenever I make a decision, I will be thinking to myself, ‘what would Paul have done?’
“I will do my best to abide by the conservative principles of my constituents, uphold liberty and justice in Ellis County, and always put the interests of the citizens first. It is an honor to serve you.”
Ponder will serve as a Commissioner for Pct. 3 until at least the November general election.
To fill the now empty Pct. 4 JP seat, the commissioners’ court will be appointing a new justice of the peace to fill the space Ponder has vacated.