Roades becomes third candidate for DA
Who Roades will face in November will have to be decided during the Republican Primary.
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

In addition to a contested race for district attorney in at least one of the party primaries, the same office will be challenged during the November general election.

The most recent filing in the Democratic Primary was by Wharton Attorney John Roades, who submitted his name as a candidate for the party's nomination for district attorney.

His was the only new filing reported through Tuesday morning by Wharton County Democratic Chairman Roger Benavidez. Previous filings in the party primary include Precinct 1 Constable Donald B. Barbee, Tax Assessor-Collector Patrick Kubala, Precinct 2 Constable John Szymanski and Precinct 4 Constable Shawn Ferguson. All three are incumbents and are seeking re-election to the office they hold.

Who Roades will face in November will have to be decided during the Republican Primary, where incumbent District Attorney Josh McCown is being challenged by El Campo Attorney Dawn Allison. Both filed on the first day of filing, Dec. 3.

Republican Party Chairwoman Debra Medina reported no new filings this week, but confirmed there were three filings that have not been reported. They are Thomas Drapela for Constable Precinct 4, G.A. "Trey" Maffett for Wharton County Attorney and Randy M. Clapp for 329th District Judge. Maffett and Clapp are incumbent office holders. Each filed on Dec. 7.

Other party candidates filing for the primary previously include incumbent Sheriff Jess Howell, incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Miller and Precinct 1 Constable candidate Dale Potter.

Potential candidates are reminded that for the primary elections they file with the respective party rather than with the county. Democratic candidates can reach Benavidez in El Campo by calling 979-543-1978. Republican candidates should contact Medina in Wharton by calling 979-282-9955.

Local offices appearing on this year's ballot include district attorney, sheriff, county attorney, tax assessor-collector, county commissioners/ precincts 1 and 3 and constables. All are four-year term offices.

Federal offices on the ballot include president, U.S. senator (John Cornyn) and U.S. representative (Ron Paul, 14th District).

State offices include railroad commissioner, supreme court chief justice, supreme court judge (two places), court of criminal appeals, Texas House District 28 (John Zerwas), state board of education and various chief justices of the courts of appeals, court of appeals justices, district judges, criminal district judges and family district judges.

The last day to file as a candidate as Jan. 2. The last day to register to vote is Feb. 4. Early voting for the primary runs Feb. 19 to Feb. 29 with Election Day being March 4.

For more candidate or voting information, the Texas Secretary of State Web site is www.sos.state.tx.us/elections.