Local filing ends with 1 contested race

By Donnie A. Lucas

The filing period for the March 1 primary elections ended on Monday, with no new candidates signing up for the available offices this election cycle.

Several candidates filed last Tuesday with Republican party chairman Rodney Casey, and two others turned in their paperwork on Monday of this week.

The filing period ended at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

Officially adding their name to the list of candidates on Monday were Raleigh Breeden for county judge and incumbent Cody Jordan for the Precinct 4 commissioner’s office.

Both candidates had previously announced their intention to run for office but didn’t finalize all the paperwork until this week.

The primary election, which is set for March 1, will select party candidates for the general election on Nov. 8.

“Everyone who picked up paperwork to file has turned it in,” Cheri Hawkins said, the incumbent county and district clerk said.

Incumbents filing for re-election include Hawkins for the county and district clerk position, along with Tammy Brown for county treasurer and James Breeden as justice of the peace.

The only contested race on the Republican primary ballot will be for county judge. Filing for the position are John Viertel and Raleigh Breeden.

Current county judge Bob Skelton announced earlier in the year that he would not be seeking a second term.

Two incumbent county commissioners have also signed up for another four-year term, including Ace Reames for precinct 2 and Cody Jordan for precinct 4.

No one signed up for the Democratic primary, or as a Libertarian or Independent.

Republican party chairman Rodney Casey, who was appointed earlier in the year after the resignation of longtime chair Lynne Teinert, also placed his name on the ballot for the position for the next four years.

The final date to register to vote for the primary elections is Tuesday, January 31, 2022.

The in-person early voting period for the primaries is Feb. 14 through Feb. 25, 2022.