Abilene People: Weldon Hurt

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Our guest on this episode of Abilene People is Abilene Mayor Weldon Hurt; a lifelong Texan whose story reflects hard work, humility, and hometown pride.

Born and raised in Gustine, Texas, a one-blinking-light town along Highway 36 between Comanche and Hamilton, Weldon moved to Abilene at 26. Soon after, he founded a pest control company that grew into a thriving local business built on trust and service. Those same values of compassion and compromise, he says, have guided him through both business and public life.

After two terms on the City Council, Hurt ran for mayor and won decisively, earning 66% of the vote in a crowded field. His success proved that being a likable, community-minded business owner still carries weight at the ballot box.

In our conversation, Mayor Hurt shares how he handles criticism, especially in the age of social media, by responding with empathy and even prayer rather than anger. He also discusses the city’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, from ensuring a reliable water supply to keeping Abilene safe as it continues to grow. With as many as 30,000 new residents expected over the next 25 years, managing that growth wisely is one of his top priorities.

Hurt also reflects on Abilene’s past as a historic railroad town and its promising future as one of Texas’s fastest-growing cities. He emphasizes inclusion, saying, “We all count. Everyone in Abilene deserves to be heard.” Of course, the conversation isn’t all politics and business. The mayor shares favorite spots to relax, from restaurants and sports bars to the places that remind him why he loves living here. He also touches on the revitalization of downtown and the ongoing Cypress Street project, including his thoughts on this year’s Christmas Parade, which will be overseen by the City of Abilene.

Whether or not he’ll seek re-election in 2026 remains undecided, but one thing’s clear: the kid from Gustine has made his mark on Abilene’s story.