James Oakley (politician)

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James Oakley is the elected County Judge for Burnet County, Texas, making him the "chief legislator and executive" for the County and the chair of the Commissioners' Court. He began his four-year term at the start of 2015. He previously served eight years in local government as a County Commissioner for precinct 4 (1999–2006). He is a board member of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Former Governor George W. Bush appointed Oakley to the regional review committee for Community Development Block Grants, and he was appointed to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by former Governor Rick Perry.

Oakley's role is primarily administrative as the Commissioners' Court's responsibilities include budgeting, overseeing local law and order, levying property taxes, and road maintenance. Since becoming County Judge, Oakley has negotiated the purchase of Burnet County Jail from the bond holders, thereby addressing a financial problem which emerged under the previous administration. He is also a strong advocate for the building of a bridge over the Colorado River below Wirtz Dam, which has been included on Burnet County transportation plans since 1974 and would improve road transportation on a local and state level.

In 2016, Oakley was involved in a controversy following the shooting of Benjamin Marconi when he posted a controversial and racially charged comment on Facebook under a mug shot of the suspect, implying that he should be lynched. Oakley quickly deleted the post and apologized for his "unfortunate" choice of words in an "off the cuff" reaction, and explained that his intent was to express his views on the senseless murder of a police officer and that his view was unrelated to ethnicity. While County Judges do have some judicial responsibilities and Oakley's predecessor did handle some criminal matters, he emphasized that he is an administrative rather than a criminal judge. The increase in prejudiced sentiment being expressed in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 presidential election likely influenced the strength of the response to Oakley's comment.^{[citation needed]}

Oakley was elected as to the board of directors of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative in June 2013, becoming President in June 2015. He was re-elected in June 2016 and appointed as Vice-President. Following his Facebook comment after the Marconi shooting, another director of the cooperative made a formal complaint and a board sub-committee was appointed at the end of November 2016 to investigate and report back. The board will decide on Oakley's fate, but could choose to dismiss him, though he does not face re-election until June 2019. The complaint against Oakley has been described as politically-motivated by his Republican supporters, though Democrats respond that the issue is one which transcends politics.