Deadline comes for candidate filings

The filing deadline for candidates in the Republican and Democratic Party Primaries came and went this past Monday afternoon. Anyone hoping to hold political office this goaround has filed the necessary paperwork for a place on the ballot. Locally all of the Liberty County elected officials are members of the Republican Party, with one exception. That was the lone candidate to file paperwork as a Democrat, with Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Ronnie Davis seeking his 11th term in that office. He will draw a competitor in the November General Election, with Republicans Pamela Smith and former Constable Jimmy Belt vying for their party’s nomination.

On the Republican side of the aisle, there were plenty of incumbents that filed, as every single current office holder on this year’s ballot signed up for another term in office. At the top of the ballot in the countywide races is County Judge Jay Knight, who received a challenge on the final day of signups with former Plum Grove Mayor Lee Ann Penton Walker.

In the race for County Courtat-Law No. 1, Judge Tommy Chambers will face local attorney Michelle Mangum Merendino. District Clerk Delia Sellers will face Miranda Litton Hulvey in the only other countywide contest.

Pct. 4 County Commissioner Leon Wilson will face former County Judge Craig McNair in the race for that seat.

Finally, District 18 State Representative Ernest Bailes will face off in that newly redrawn district against three opponents, with Janis Holt, Bubba Tullos, and Stephen Missick vying for the Republican nomination.

REPUBLICAN PARTY CONTESTED RACES

County Judge

Jay Knight

Lee Ann Penton Walker

Judge, County Court at Law

Tommy Chambers

Michelle Magnum Merendino

District Clerk

Delia Sellers

Miranda Litton Hulvey

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

Pam Smith

Jimmy Belt

County Commissioner, Precinct 4

Leon Wilson

Craig McNair

UNCONTESTED RACES

Treasurer

Kim Harris

County Clerk

Lee Chambers

Judge, 75th District Court

Mark Morefield

Surveyor

Johnny Moorman

County Commissioner, Precinct 2

Greg Arthur

JP, Precinct 1

Stephen Hebert

JP, Precinct 3

Cody Parrish

JP, Precinct 4

Larry Wilburn

JP, Precinct 5

Wade Brown

JP, Precinct 6

Ralph Fuller

Liberty County Republican Party Chair

Emily Cook

DEMOCRATIC PARTY UNCONTESTED RACES

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

Ronnie Davis

Liberty County Democratic Party Chair

Michael Mark