Second Democrat to run for DA
Local offices appearing on this year's ballot include district attorney, sheriff, county attorney …
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

With the most recent filings in the Democratic Party primary, there will be contested races for district attorney in both primaries as well as during the November election.

The most recent filing in the Democratic Primary were both for the DA race with Wharton attorneys John Roades and John C Maher Jr. Both men filed with Party 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 the winner of the Maher-Roades primary will face in November will 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 announced three new filings for her party's primary. 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- 5 4 3 - 1 9 7 8 . 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.