4 county candidates file for office
By Melinda L. Lucas
Four local candidates filed their paperwork for placement on the March Republican primary ballot with county chair Lynne Teinert last Wednesday, Nov. 13, according to County and District Clerk Cheri Hawkins.
Teinert also submitted an application to continue as county chair.
Ed Miller paid his fee for reelection as Shackelford County Sheriff, and Precinct 1 incumbent commissioner Steve Riley paid his filing fee the same day.
Lanham Martin filed by petition to run again for his current commissioner’s post in Precinct 3.
Rollin Rauschl turned in a petition for the county attorney’s office, hoping to replace Colton Johnson, who has announced that he will not run for reelection.
The signatures on both petitions have been verified and accepted, said Hawkins, who added that potential candidates have until Monday, Dec. 9 to file for a county or state office.
Republican party candidates turn in their applications to Teinert, who will probably arrange to be at the Courthouse at another set time prior to the deadline.
Democratic candidates need to check with Hawkins at 325-762-9415 or contact the Texas Democratic Party at 512-478-9800 to find out where to file their application, since there is not a local Democratic party county chairman at this time.
Any Libertarian party candidates should file with their party by the Dec. 9 deadline. They can contact the state party chair at 903-372-6931.
Candidates must officially file with the county chair of their party, not in the clerk’s office, said Hawkins.
Democratic or Republican candidates for most county posts carry a filing fee of $750, or they can choose to turn in the petition with 50 local voter signatures.
Hawkins reminded prospective candidates that independent candidates fall under some of the same guidelines as party candidates, but there are some differences.
Independent candidates must sign a “declaration of intent” with the county judge, she explained.
Candidates for precinct chair or chairman of the two major political parties should also file before the deadline, but there is no filing fee as there is for public office.
