Early voting begins in primaries
By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor
The Highlander
Early voting begins today, Tuesday, Feb. 20, and continues through March 2 for the March 6 Republican and Democratic primaries in both Burnet and Llano counties, with several races up for grabs on the GOP side of the ballot. In Burnet County, residents in Precinct 2 will choose a new commissioner while Precinct 3 voters will elect a new justice of the peace after the incumbents chose not to run again.
In Llano County, there are races for several positions, including county judge, county clerk, Precinct 2 commissioner, Precinct 1 justice of the peace and Precinct 2 justice of the peace.
Burnet County
Three candidates are seeking the GOP nomination for Precinct 2 commissioner after incumbent Russell Graeter chose not to run again. The field includes, in ballot order, Ryan Rowney, Tom Stephens and Damon Beierle. The winner does not have a Democratic opponent in the fall and will be the newly elected commissioner in January.
There are also three candidates seeking the GOP nod for Precinct 3 JP after incumbent Peggy Shell Simon did not seek re-election. They include Jane Marie Hurst, Carey Headrick and Jeff Sellers. The winner does not have a Democratic opponent in the fall and would be the newly elected JP in January.
Republican candidates who are unopposed include 424th Judicial District Judge Evan Clay Stubbs, County Judge James Oakley, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery, County Court at Law Linda Bayless, District Clerk Casie Walker, County Clerk Janet Parker, County Treasurer Karrie Crownover, County Chairman Donna Holland Wilcox, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson, Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Debbie Bindseil and Precinct 4 Constable Missy Bindseil.
County Democratic Party Chairman Ronald LeVick Sr. is also running unopposed in his primary race.
For more information about the Burnet County sample ballots, go to burnetcountytexas.org/page/elect.current.
Llano County
County Judge Mary Cunningham's bid for a second term in office faces an election challenge in the GOP primary from Ronald “Ron” Cunningham, who is no relation. The winner will be the next county judge as there is not a Democratic opponent.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Linda Raschke has a primary re-election challenge on the GOP side from Ricky Johnson. The winner is unopposed in the November primary. County Clerk Marci Hadeler has an opponent in the GOP primary in Clay Etter. The winner is elected with no Democratic opposition.
Preinct 1 Justice of the Peace Bebe Piatt faces a GOP challenge from former JP Richard Owen. The winner will be sworn in come January as there is not a Democratic opponent. Precinct 2 JP is up for grabs with three GOP candidates on the ballot, but Steven “Steve” Lange has announced his withdrawal from the race, leaving just Bucky Boswell and Maureen Riggs.
Unopposed GOP candidates include Stubbs, District Clerk Joyce Gillow, County Treasurer Teresa Kassell, County Surveyor John Arthur Ables, County Chairman Doug Sanders, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Don Moss, Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Era Marion and Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Brian Alexander.
Democratic County Chairman Dana Wright Rushing is also running unopposed in her primary race.
For more information and to see the Llano County sample ballot, go to co.llano.tx.us/default.aspx?Llano_County/Elections.
Statewide
A number of state elected officials seeking re-election have drawn primary opponents on the GOP ballot.
Incumbent Texas Gov. Greg Abbott opens his re-election bid in the March 6 GOP primary with two opponents — SECEDE Kilgore and Barbara Krueger. On the Democrat side, nine candidates are running for the gubernatorial nomination: Joe Mumbach, Andrew White, James Jolly Clark, Lupe Valdez, Grady Yarbrough, Cedric Davis Sr., Tom Wakely, Jeffrey Payne and Adrian Ocegueda.
Meanwhile, incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick faces an election challenge from Scott Milder in the GOP primary. The winner will face the winner of two candidates in the Democratic primary, Michael Cooper and Mike Collier.
Incumbent U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, a Republican, has drawn four primary opponents: Mary Millker, Geraldine Sam, Stefano de Stefano and Bruce Jacobson Jr. Democrats competing in the March primary are Edward Kimbrough, Sema Hernandez and Beto O'Rourke.
While incumbent U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, may be unopposed in his primary, the Democratic primary is a five-sided affair with candidates Chris Perri, Chetan Panda, Kathi Thomas, Julie Oliver and West Hansen fighting it out to face Williams in November.
U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway has a GOP primary opponent for his District 11 seat in Paul Myers. The winner faces the winner of Eric Pfalzgraf and Jennie Lou Leeder.
District 20 State Rep. Terry Wilson of Marble Falls does not have a GOP primary opponent, but he will have a November opponent in Stephen Wyman.
District 53 State Rep. Andrew Murr is unopposed in the GOP primary, but will face in the general election the winner of the Democratic primary race between Stephanie Lochte Ertel and Joe Herrera.
General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush has three opponents in the GOP primary, including Davey Edwards, Rick Range and former Commissioner Jerry Patterson. On the Democratic side, Tex Morgan and Miguel Suazo are running for the position.
Ag Commissioner Sid Miller also has a GOP primary election challenge in his re-election bid as he squares off against Trey Blocker and Jim Hogan. The winner faces Democrat Kim Olson, who is running unopposed in her primary.
Incumbent Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick has a GOP primary opponent in Weston Martinez. The winner will face the winner of the Democratic primary fight between Roman McAllen and Chris Spellmon.
Two incumbent statewide officeholders are running unopposed in the GOP primary, but both will have an opponent come November. Attorney General Ken Paxton does not have an opponent in March, but Justin Nelson will be his Democratic challenger in the general election. Comptroller Glenn Hegar likewise doesn't have an opponent in the GOP primary, but there are two Democrats running for the chance to face him: Tim Mahoney and Joi Chevalier.
The open Place 6 seat on the Third Court of Appeals has four Republican candidates, all of whom visited Burnet County earlier this month. They are Jennifer S. Freel, Michael “Mike” Toth, Donna Davidson and Kristofer Monson. The winner will face Democrat Gisela D. Triana, who does not have a primary opponent.
