Several pick up filing paperwork

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several incumbents and two newcomers have started the process of filing for the May 1 primary elections, although none had officially completed the required paperwork as of press time on Monday.

The filing deadline for the 2022 primary elections is Dec. 13, with party candidates earning a place on the 2022 general election to be held Nov. 8.

Terms ending next year include the county and district clerk, county treasurer, justice of the peace, county judge, and two precinct commissioner’s posts.

Republican incumbents Cheri Hawkins – county district clerk, Tammy Brown – county treasurer, and James Breeden – justice of the peace, each filed to designate campaign treasurers last week and took petitions to get signatures in lieu of the filing fees in order to file for re-election.

Commissioners Ace Reames – precinct 2 and Cody Jordan – precinct 4 have also filed the paperwork setting up campaign treasurers, with Reames taking a petition to collect signatures. Jordan had not yet decided whether to pay the filing fee or collect the required 50 signatures. Both have indicated they will file for the Republican primary.

The only office not drawing an incumbent for re-election is for county judge. First-term judge Bob Skelton previously announced he does not intent to seek another four-year term.

According to Hawkins, two residents have started the paperwork to file for the position.

Both Raleigh Breeden and John Viertel have designated campaign treasurers and picked up petition forms to run for county judge on the Republican primary ticket.

No candidates planning to file for the Democratic primary have contacted the clerk’s office where the paperwork for designating a campaign treasurer is required, along with picking up an official copy of the petition necessary to skip the filing fee.

Currently, there is not a Democratic party chair in the county, but anyone interested in running for that party primary can contact the clerk’s office at 325-762-9415 or the Texas Democratic Party office in Austin at 512-478-9800.

Candidates for both parties can obtain the signatures of 50 currently registered voters instead of paying the filing fee, which is $750. The one exception is the justice of the peace filing fee, which is $350.

Candidates for a county-wide office can obtain signatures of any Shackelford County registered voters, while those filing for commissioners’ posts must obtain signatures from within their own precincts.

Precinct lines are in the midst of being updated, with minor changes made to a few residents living in Albany. Signatures will have to be obtained within the new precinct lines.

Casey has filed the application to place his name on the ballot for the primary as Republican party chairman, but he is not required to pay a fee or obtain signatures. 

Republican candidates will need to officially file for office with Casey, presenting him with the petition or filing fee. However, any petitions will have to be verified through the clerk’s office to determine that each name is on the current voter registration list.

Any Libertarian party candidates should file with their party by the Dec. 13 deadline. They can contact the state party chair at 903-372-6931.

Hawkins reminded anyone thinking of filing as an independent candidate that they fall under the same requirements as party candidates, with a few exceptions.

Independent candidates must sign a “declaration of intent” with the county judge to be placed on the ballot, Hawkins said.