WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Waco attorney and former Midway school board President Peter Rusek was sworn in Monday as the ninth judge in McLennan County history to preside over 74th State District Court.

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Rusek, 66, a shareholder in the Waco law firm Sheehy, Lovelace and Mayfield, to replace Judge Gary Coley Jr., who won a new four-year term in January 2025 before resigning in February.

McLennan County Judge Scott Felton swore Rusek into office as the new judge’s wife of 45 years, Robbye, held the Bible.

“There is a running joke that the Sheehy firm in trying to monopolize the courthouse, and Judge (Pat) Atkins and Judge (Alan) Bennett will tell you that is simply not true,” Rusek joked to the crowd assembled in 74 th State District Court for the ceremony.

Bennett,

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