Five months after his arrest in Ennis prompted residents to ask county officials to intervene, Matt Zajic won a full term as Ellis County's Precinct 2 commissioner. The Republican received 6,244 votes, or 64.69%, in the Nov. 3 election, according to unofficial elections results.

Zajic first took office by appointment. After he won the Republican runoff in May, County Judge John Wray appointed him on May 27 to serve the rest of former Commissioner Lane Grayson's term. Just over two weeks later, on June 11, Ennis police arrested Zajic on suspicion of stealing property valued at more than $100 but less than $750 from a local retailer.

On June 24, Zajic turned himself in on a second warrant. Police said detectives had identified additional alleged offenses involving the same retailer. The second warrant alleged organized retail theft, a Class A misdemeanor.

Residents asked the Commissioners Court to take action. In a June 29 statement, Wray said neither he nor the court had the authority to remove a commissioner. In August, District Attorney Lindy Beaty recused her office, citing its working relationship with the Commissioners Court. On Aug. 20, District Judge Greg Wilhelm appointed Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper to review the cases and decide whether to prosecute.

With no Democratic nominee in the race, Zajic was expected to run unopposed in November. That changed when Hannah Shelby, co-owner of the Waxahachie training studio Shelby Symmetry, entered the race as a write-in candidate.

Of the 9,652 votes cast in the race, the county credited 3,260 to Shelby, or 33.78%. Another 148 write-ins were listed as uncertified. That left Zajic ahead of Shelby by 2,984 votes.

The November vote gives Matt Zajic a full term as commissioner.

Zajic is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.