Former DPS trooper appointed to fill unexpired term of retiring justice of the peace in McLennan County

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - McLennan County commissioners on Wednesday appointed Gary “Bull” Durham to fill the unexpired term of retiring Justice of the Peace Walter “Pete” Peterson.

Peterson, 74, who serves Precinct 1, Place 2, announced his retirement last month, effective Dec. 31, and has been in office since December 2012.

Like Peterson, Durham is a retired Department of Public Safety trooper, retiring in November after almost 31 years with the department. Durham also worked six years as a Waco police officer.

In his letter to commissioners, Durham said he was seeking the appointment because it gives him an opportunity to serve the community in a different capacity.

“I am drawn to the role because I value fairness, integrity and respect for the law, which I will continue to uphold and apply these principles to resolve disputes and to continue to promote public trust in the judicial system,” Durham wrote in application letter.

Durham, 59, is expected to be sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2026. He will complete Peterson’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026.

“Judge Peterson has served our community with professionalism and integrity,” said County Judge Scott M. Felton. “We are grateful for his dedication and steady leadership. We also look forward to Gary “Bull” Durham continuing the court’s commitment to fair and accessible justice for all residents of McLennan County.”

Durham was one of four applicants for the appointment, three of which, including Durham, have filed to run for the job in the March 2026 Republican primary. The other candidates include Waco attorneys Will Hutson and Aubrey “Robbie” Robertson. The fourth applicant was Waco attorney Gary Cunha.

No candidate filed to run for Peterson’s seat in the Democratic primary.

Durham thanked the commissioners court for the unanimous appointment and expressed appreciation to Peterson for recommending him as his replacement.

“I will carry on in his footsteps and will serve McLennan County as a justice with honor, integrity, fairness and compassion,” Durham said. “I will miss my brothers and sisters in the Texas Department of Public Safety with my law enforcement career of 37 years, but I will continue to serve the citizens of McLennan County in this next chapter of my life.”

Precent 2 Commissioner D.L. Wilson, also a retired DPS trooper, worked with Durham more than 20 years.

“His interview went really well,” Wilson said. “He has been in JP courts off and on throughout his career, just like I have, and it seemed like he had good common-sense answers. He definitely is an expert in the traffic code, and he was the commercial motor vehicle enforcement officer, also.

“Knowing him, his work ethic was just unbelievable and he just stood out among the applicants.”

Robertson said he has been campaigning for the job for months, meeting voters and attending community events.

“Others chose to enter the race much later, and that’s their decision, but I believe showing up early and consistently matters,” Robertson said. “Because I’ve been doing the work and earning trust over time, I’m confident I’ll win the primary.”

Robertson also noted McLennan County currently has no JP who is an attorney.

“I believe legal training and courtroom experience matter in an office that handles magistrate duties, bond settings, evictions and civil disputes every day, and that’s a conversation I welcome having with the voters,” Robertson said.

Wilson said that only 10 percent of justices of the peace in Texas are licensed attorneys, according to his research.

Hutson said Wednesday he looks forward to meeting with voters and eagerly awaits their decision in March.

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