Ronnie McDonald is a fifth generation native of Bastrop County.  In January 1999 he was sworn in as the first African-American County Judge of Bastrop and the youngest in Texas history.  Judge McDonald started his third term of office January 2007.

Judge McDonald is a graduate of Texas A&M University.  While a student at A&M he was actively involved in student government serving on MSC Hospitality and being elected the 1^st African-American Yell Leader in campus history.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Judge McDonald went to work for State Comptroller John Sharp.  During his five year tenure, he worked in various positions.  Before leaving to pursue the judgeship he served as an executive assistant to Sharp, helping to develop and oversee the Family pathfinders program.

Judge McDonald is married to Ty Mills McDonald.  They have two daughters Micaela and Alexa and a son Micah and reside in Bastrop.