Early Voting begins in primary races next week
It is that time again when voters prepare to head to the polls, cast their votes, and help decide the nominees in both the Republican and Democrat parties.
Locally, voters have several choices on the Republican Party Primary ballot, with every elected official in the county belonging to the Grand Old Party. On the Democrat side, voters will have no one on the ballot in Liberty County and focus on state and national races.
Voters can vote at five locations during early Vot- ing, which runs Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Friday, March 1. Voters may vote at the Jack Hartel Building in Liberty, the Dayton Community Center, Hardin City Hall, The Sanctuary Pentecostal Church in Cleveland and the Cleveland Civic Center.
Voting times for Feb. 20-23 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24 – 7 a.m. to 7 p. m., Sunday, Feb. 25 – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 26-March 1 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Highlighting the 2024 Primary Elections is the race for Texas House District 18 between Republican incumbent Ernest Bailes, Janis Holt and Stephen Missick. The contest has become a fierce battle, and issues like school choice and immigration are at the forefront.
Locally, the Liberty County District Attorney race has been a hot-button issue between incumbent Jennifer Bergman and challenger Michelle Mangun-Merendino.
Down ballot, the March Republican Primary will feature two commissioners’ races and three Constables’ contests.
In Pct. 1, Bruce Karbowski seeks another term in a race with former Pct. 4 Commissioner Toby Wilburn. The pair faced off in a runoff in 2020, with Karbowski on top; however, redistricting brought significant changes to the precinct and could have an impact come election day.
Pct. 3 Commissioner David Whitmire is lobbying voters for another four years and has drawn an opponent in “BJ” Kevin Burton Jr.
Voters in Pct. 1 will also vote in the race for Constable between incumbent Tammy Bishop and challenger Chance Maddox.
Pct. 5 voters will decide between incumbent Constable David Hunter and challenger Chad Pafford.
On the county’s north end, Pct. 6 Constable Zack Harkness is facing off with former Constable John Joslin in a rematch of the 2020 Republican Primary.
Liberty County Democrat Party Chair Michael Mark hopes voters will come out and make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
“I would encourage all Democrats to go to the polls and vote. This is the most important election of our lifetime and the choice is very clear. Do we want a Republican Party that is incapable of governing or a Democratic Party that has lowered inflation, lowered unemployment, and has given this country the best economy in decades,” Mark said.
We reached out to Liberty County Republican Chairman Wes Thomas, but received no response.
For more information click the link to The Vindicator's 2024 Liberty County Primary Election Guide, publisher.etype.services/Liberty-Vindicator/e-paper-special-edition/AC3F5A7C95CDADFC