Election filings slow in second week

By Rich Flowers

December 15, 2007 10:25 am

— The second week of filing for the March 2008 Primary Election added only a few new Republican and Democrat candidates.
The Democrats now have a contested race for constable in Pct. 1 with the addition of Sammie Cumby, who filed Monday. He will face incumbent Daryl Graham, who entered last week.
One other Democrat filed for a county office this week. Longtime County Surveyor Jack Clark is pursuing another term. Pct 1 Constable candidate John Floyd and Incumbent Tax Assessor/Collector Milburn Chaney filed last week.
The Henderson County Republican Party reaped a harvest of candidates in the first few days of filing. This week the rush of office seekers slowed.
In the Republican Primary, District 5 Representative Jeb Hensarling is seeking another two years in the U.S. House and is unopposed so far.
The GOP has a contest in the State Representative District 4 race. Incumbent Betty Brown entered Dec. 3, the first day of filing. Thursday, Wade Gent, who challenged Brown in 2006, made his bid official.
392nd District Court Judge Carter Tarrance filed last week for another term. According to information from the Texas Republican Party office in Austin, no one has filed yet for 3rd District Court. Mark Calhoon, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry after the retirement of Jim Parsons, is expected to seek election to a full term.
The full list of Republican candidates in the county includes:
• Sheriff – Tony Allison, Mitch Baker and Ray Nutt;
• District Attorney – Donna Bennett and Scott McKee;
• Pct. 1 County Commissioner – Joe Hall and Bud Henry;
• Pct. 3 County Commissioner – Ronny Lawrence;
• County Attorney – James Owen and Clint Davis;
• Constable Pct. 2. – Norman Terry;
• Constable Pct. 5 – Brad Miers;
• Constable Pct. 4 – Richard Stewart;
• Constable Pct. 3 – David Grubbs; and
• Constable Pct. 2 – Norman Terry.
Henderson County Democrat Party Chairman Ray Smith said he would like to see a few more candidates in the field.
“Filing is going pretty well, though the turnout is not as brisk as we’d like to see,” Smith said. “I’d like for people to understand that we have a very important election year coming up. I’d like anyone who knows a person who might be a viable candidate for one of these offices to encourage them to enter.
“We want everyone to get involved. There are many important races. The Democrats are going to make gains nationally and in Texas. I want to see it in Henderson County, as well,” he added.
Republican Party Chairman Don Geddie could not be reached for comment Friday.