Contested race expected for Pct. 1

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany resident Bobby Williams is expected to challenge incumbent Shackelford County Precinct 1 commissioner Steve Riley after filing paperwork on Monday, Dec. 2.

According to County and District Clerk Cheri Hawkins, Williams filed his campaign treasurer’s form late Monday afternoon and picked up documents with the intention of filing by petition, although it had not been turned in as of press time.

Williams is planning to run in the Republican primary, as is the incumbent, who submitted his paperwork the first week of the filing period.

Filing ends next Monday, Dec. 9, so potential contenders only have a few more days to officially announce their candidacy.

Other Candidates

In addition to Riley and Williams for the Precinct 1 post, three other candidates have filed for local offices, although none are opposed so far.

Ed Miller paid his fee for reelection as Shackelford County Sheriff, and 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.

All of the county candidates so far will appear on the Republican ballot.

Republican party candidates turn in their applications to county chair Lynne Teinert, who has submitted an application to continue in that role.

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.