I am a lifelong resident of Hockley County, deeply rooted in the community that has shaped both my personal life and professional career.
I am a lifelong active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, which has been an integral part of my faith and family life. I am a graduate of Levelland High School and South Plains College, where I began developing the work ethic and commitment to service that have guided me throughout my life.
I have been married to my husband, Rod, for 33 years. We have been blessed with two children, four grandchildren, and we are anxiously anticipating the arrival of our first great-grandchild in March. Faith and family have always been the foundation of my life, and their support has been instrumental throughout my career in public service.
While attending South Plains College, I began working in a local law office, launching a lifelong career in the legal field. Over the past 40 years, I have gained extensive experience in legal administration, including 26 years as a legal assistant and office manager. This background provided me with a strong understanding of the legal system, organizational management, and the importance of attention to detail, skills that have proven invaluable in county government.
In 2011, I made the move to the Hockley County Judge’s Office, where I served for five years as Court Coordinator for the County Judge and Commissioners Court. In this role, I worked closely with county leadership, gaining firsthand experience in court operations, budgeting, and policy implementation.
In 2016, I was honored to be unanimously appointed by the Commissioners Court as County Judge of Hockley County. I am currently serving my 10th year in this role. It has truly been both my privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Hockley County. I remain committed to transparent leadership, responsible stewardship, and working collaboratively to ensure the continued growth, safety and well-being of our county.
Chris Obenhaus, Candidate for County Judge
I am Chris Obenhaus, candidate for Hockley County Judge. The Texas Panhandle and its unique way of life is deeply rooted in my story, spending my childhood in both Hockley and Lubbock County. I made Levelland my place to call home eleven years ago. My wife, Brooke and I are continuing a legacy that my great-grandparents laid the foundation for in 1934, by raising our family in Hockley County also.
An alumnus of Coronado High School, soon after graduation I answered the call to service and joined the United States Marine Corps. In my eight years of active duty, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and Parris Island, SC and conducted two combat tours in Iraq. After the Marines I continued my education at South Plains College, there I completed the Welding Technology Program in 2016. Shifting gears in 2018, I completed the SPC Law Enforcement Academy, and through ongoing training, I achieved a Master Peace Officer certificate. Currently, I am a parttime student at Abilene Christian University where I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
I have had the pleasure of serving this community as a Hockley County Sheriff’s Deputy for six years. Part of that service was as a Mental Health Peace Officer for residents of Hockley County in crisis. Most recently, I worked at the United States Post Office, delivering mail to businesses and households in the Levelland and outer communities. In choosing to seek the elected position of Hockley County Judge, I had to relinquish my position at USPS. I am currently a reserve officer at Sundown Police Department and help run a successful family owned construction company based out of Lubbock. Restorhaus specializes in the historical restoration of buildings all over the great state of Texas.
Outside of work my family and I spend time outdoors exploring West Texas.
We are highly active in our church, Live Free Indeed, with New Horizon Emmaus, and multiple Bible studies in our community. I serve on the Levelland Baseball Board and enjoy coaching a team each year.
My wife Brooke and I have two adult children that live in Hockley County, and three children at home that are involved in all the things that Levelland has to offer.
Derek Lawless, Candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5
I have been the Justice of the Peace in Pct. 5 since July 2020 when I was elected in a contested campaign during the 2022 election cycle. I am now running un-contested for my third time. I am extremely grateful that you have trusted me for close to six years now and look forward to the next four years as your Hockley County Justice of the Peace Pct. 5.
I am a lover and follower of Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior. I am a husband to the most beautiful woman in the world, Ashley Lawless. I am the dad of three crazy cool kids.
Brenden, our oldest is 18 and attending SPC’s music program. Cademen, our middle child is 16 and a sophomore at Levelland High School. EdenAnn, our youngest is 14 and is a freshman at Levelland High School.
Before entering my career in law enforcement with Hockley County, Ashley and I were house parents at Texas Boy’s Ranch in Lubbock. I went through the Police Academy at SPC where I am now a part-time adjunct faculty member helping teach cadets. I started at the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer and quickly moved to the LE patrol division. I was a deputy for several years before moving into investigations. I was promoted to Law Enforcement Captain, and I finished my time at the Sheriff’s Office as the Chief Deputy.
In July 2020, I was first elected as Justice of the Peace here in Pct. 5 and I love what I am blessed to do each day, and I am grateful to be blessed to do this for another four years. Thank you for your trust and support.
Darren Robertson, Candidate, County Commissioner Pct. 4 Hello, my name is Darren Robertson and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Hockley County Commissioner, Pct. 4. I am 58 years old and have been married to my wife Donna for 38 years. We have a son, Brent, 36, who married to Bailey and they have a 4-year-old son and 1-yearold daughter. We also have a daughter, Bailey, who is married to Garret Chapman and they have an 8-year-old and 9-year-old son. Both our children graduated from Smyer ISD and South Plains College, Bailey with Bailey earning her RN. We moved to Hockley County in 1996 when I went to work for Spade Farms Inc. (Spade Ranch). Shortly after, my wife went to work at the school as the high school secretary; she is now the business manager. I have served on the Smyer ISD board of trustees for 24 of the last 28 years and I feel that service has prepared me well for the business and administrative part of the commissioner’s job. Having an understanding of the tax structure and basic understanding of the appraisal process will also be beneficial. I also feel that my experience as a manager of the ranch since 20025 has prepared for the challenges of the job in the county, and as we all know, in the world of agriculture it is a constant barrage of challenges. I look forward to getting to know as many of you as I can over the course of the campaign and would be extremely honored to be able to serve as your commissioner.
Thank you, Darren Robertson.
Jimmy Martin, Candidate Commissioner Pct. 4
I, Jimmy Martin, a lifelong Hockley County resident and candidate for Pct. 4 County Commissioner, believe in hard work, accountability and service to the community. Raised on a farm south of Whitharral, I come from generations of farmers. My grandparents – Harrison and Leta Durham and Edd and Billie Martin, worked the same West Texas soil that shaped my values of perseverance, honest and commitment to helping your neighbors, showing up, doing the job right and taking pride in your community.
With deep roots in Hockley County and decades of hands-on experience in agricultural, marine and technical fields, I bring a practical, no-nonsense approach to solving problems. My career began in 1970 at Bill Clark Sporting goods where I entered the marine industry, working in boat sales and service. I then spent 14 years with Farmers Exchange Sporting Goods, continuing in marine sales and service.
From 1986 to 1996, I owned and operated Martin’s Marine Service, providing dependable repair and support for boat owners and earning a reputation for honesty, skill and customer trust. I later spent 28 years in a management position with Farmers Coop Elevator, serving the needs of local farmers and supporting the daily operations of the Coop including managing and mentoring 4-5 employees and overseeing the upkeep of truck and equipment. Today, I work as a Pioneer Seed sales associate with Forefront Agronomy, helping producers make informed decisions that strengthen their operations and support longterm success.
I have also served the last six years on the Hockley County Appraisal Review Board, where I have learned the importance of listening, working with fellow board members and making fair, informed decisions for county residents.
My wife Iris and I have built our life in Hockley County. Iris has owned Kids Unlimited, a childcare center, for 43 years, originally started by her mother 53 years ago an since 2005, has been a realtor with Jackson Real Estate. My oldest daughter, Morgan, runs Kids Unlimited, and my youngest daughter, Lyna Wheeler and her husband Nate, live in Wellman, where she is the secondary principal and Nate is superintendent. I also have two grandchildren, Gage and Sadie.