Gerald Kolarik didn’t seek public office expecting to campaign. Instead, he stepped into county government during a somber moment, appointed to complete the unexpired term of the late Precinct 4 Commissioner Leon Wilson. Now, after a year on the job, Kolarik is asking voters to allow him to continue serving as the Republican candidate in the March 3, 2026 primary.
Kolarik recently sat down with Bluebonnet News for an episode of the Headlines and Heartlines podcast, where he spoke openly about what it was like stepping into a role so closely tied to Wilson’s legacy. He described the experience as both an honor and a challenge, especially in a precinct where Wilson’s presence was deeply felt by staff and residents alike.
A lifelong Dayton resident and third-generation Liberty County native, Kolarik shared personal stories that help explain his connection to the community. He and his wife, Carol, are celebrating 50 years of marriage. Family, he said, is central to his life, and large holiday gatherings are a long-standing tradition in the Kolarik household.
Before becoming commissioner, Kolarik spent 37 years with ExxonMobil, starting as a welder and working his way up to senior turnaround manager. The job required careful planning, problem-solving, and managing large budgets under tight timelines—skills he says translate directly to the work of county government.
Public service is not new to Kolarik. He previously served on the Dayton ISD school board from 1994 to 2009, an experience that gave him early insight into the responsibilities and limitations that come with managing public funds and making decisions that affect an entire community.
Much of the conversation focused on roads and infrastructure, issues Kolarik says quickly became impossible to ignore. Precinct 4’s roads see heavy traffic from growth, industry, and oversized trucks, while the funding available to maintain them falls far short of what is needed for long-term repairs.
Kolarik explained that while many residents want permanent fixes, the cost of asphalt or concrete often makes that impossible. Instead, the county relies on more temporary solutions, doing what it can with the materials and equipment available while trying to stretch limited dollars as far as possible.
Listeners also get a glimpse into how precincts work together behind the scenes. Kolarik described equipment swaps and shared resources among commissioners as practical ways to save money, even when it means keeping older machinery running a little longer than anyone would prefer.
Drainage issues are another major concern, and in some cases, they generate even more frustration than road conditions. Kolarik talked about how drainage problems can directly affect homes, farms, and property, and he discussed a large, grant-funded drainage study that could eventually help the county prioritize where improvements are most needed.
One portion of the interview focuses on an emergency bridge repair early in Kolarik’s tenure. He describes learning that a bridge in Precinct 4 had been compromised and faced possible closure, which would have left dozens of families with limited access.
“They told me I had 30 days to make significant improvements, or they were going to shut that down,” Kolarik said.
Closing the bridge would have had serious consequences, as it “would have stranded, like, 40 families back there, because it was one way in and one way out,” he said.
Kolarik described working with county staff, engineers, and state agencies to stabilize the bridge and keep it open while a longer-term solution is evaluated.
Throughout the episode, Kolarik discussed the limitations of county government, the need for careful budgeting, and the slower pace of public-sector decision-making. He also talks about the importance of communicating with Precinct 4 residents about ongoing projects, funding constraints, and long-term planning.
The full Headlines and Heartlines podcast episode featuring Gerald Kolarik is available now on YouTube by clicking HERE and Spotify by clicking HERE.
The next episode of Headlines and Heartlines will feature Michelle Merendino, a Republican candidate for the 75th State District Court. Her interview will be available on Monday, Jan. 5. Two other candidates for the 75th State District Court – Zack Zbranek and J.D. Chandler – will be featured in podcasts the following weeks. Zbranek’s episode will air on Jan. 12 and Chandler’s will air on Jan. 19.
I hope Mr. Kolarik isn’t a bigot like our previous commissioner? Because I didn’t share the same beliefs as Mr. Wilson he blocked me and I couldn’t talk to him about the problems our community was experiencing. A public servant can’t be prejudiced against his own constituents just because they don’t believe in the same personal beliefs as himself. You have to leave your personal beliefs and preferences at home when having the responsibility to serve all the people fairly. Wilson couldn’t do that and viewed some of the people that paid his salary not worthy to talk to him about precinct issues. Wilson was a classic bigot who claimed to be this all wholly person yet didn’t follow his own beliefs when representing all the people of the precinct. He was only for the people that shared his personal beliefs. Wilson didn’t represent his constitutes fairly based on what he believed and not being a servant for all the people regardless of personal beliefs. I was blocked from Wilson’s piblic social media account because I had different personal beliefs than himself. A public official has the responsibility to represent all of his constitutes fairly without prejudice. My hope for Gerald is that he can be a fair minded commissioner and not represent only the people that have personal beliefs the same as him? Will you be a fair commissioner Gerald for all the people? Time will tell? I’ll be watching along with other precinct 4 tax payers who Wilson wouldn’t talk to about the issues we face.
You talk alot about Leon’s beliefs, but just what are your beliefs? Tell us about your beliefs. I realize you are not running for office, however, you are are making condescending comments about a dead man who cannot defend himself.
Gks
SJ is a real piece of art. Posting at 3 am was probably a drunk rant. May God bless your soul.
Seems like he’s done a good job so far. His voting record as the interim shows he values being a good steward of our taxes. He has my vote.
I don’t live in Liberty County, so I don’t follow the politics too closely- but are y’all going to start by fixing the fact that parts of your county are sanctuaries for illegal, degenerate scum?
That is the root of many of your “challenges”, and it’s so bad it’s causing the degradation of neighboring counties.
I understand about having a budget, but throwing asphalt in a hole is not fixing the problem, eventually you will have a rough ass road like 676, precint 4 has got to have some of the worse roads in the county.