Early voting tops 1,600 in county with three days left
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

As early voting in March Republican and Democratic primaries enters its last few days, more than 1,600 ballots have been cast already, far outpacing the 2006 primary turnout.

Democrats had cast 869 votes by presstime Tuesday, Wharton County Elections Administrator Judy Owens reported, while Republicans had marked 752 ballots.

Of those Democratic votes, 560 were cast in Wharton and 309 in El Campo.

In the Republican Primary, 423 ballots had been cast in Wharton and 329 in El Campo.

During the 2006 Primary just 1,217 early votes were cast with a total election turnout of 3,449 ballots.

Those wanting to cast ballots for the March Primary can do so through Friday, Feb. 29, at two locations - the El Campo Fire and EMS building, 220 Merchant, using the Hillje Street entrance or the Wharton Civic Center at 1924 N. Fulton.

Voting hours today are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but on Thursday and Friday early ballots can be cast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.County residents can vote early at either of the county locations.

Samples of the ballots are available on the Leader-News Web site: www. leader-news.com.

Whether voters are Republicans or Democrats, there is only one contested local office on the March ballot - the district attorney's post.

Democratic candidates are Wharton attorneys John C. Maher Jr. and John Roades while Republican contenders are attorneys Josh McCown, the incumbent, and Dawn Allison. Both live in El Campo.

Radio Station KULP 1390 AM will rebroadcast roundtable debates with the four DA candidates Feb. 28 starting at 6 p.m. The Democratic roundtable will be broadcast first, KULP's Jerry Aulds said, followed by the Republican roundtable debate.

Winners of the two primary races will face off in the November general election.

Several primary candidates won't face an opponent until November.

Constable Precinct 4 Democratic incumbent Shawn Ferguson faces a November challenge from Republican candidate Thomas Drapela.

In the Commissioner Precinct 1 race incumbent Republican Mickey Reynolds will be opposed by Democrat Leroy Dettling while Democrat Constable Precinct 1 incumbent Donald Barbee will face Republican Dale Potter.

Local officials unopposed are: Republicans: 329th District Judge Randy Clapp, Sheriff Jess Howell, County Attorney G.A. "Trey" Maffett; Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Miller and Precinct 4 Constable Lowell Howard.

Democrats: Tax Assessor- Collector Patrick Kubala and Precinct 2 Constable J.A. Szymanski.

At the state level, Texas House District 28 Rep. John Zerwas, a Republican, will face Democratic challenger Dorothy Bottos in November. The two faced off two years ago.

In looking at the federal offices on the ballot, incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will be opposed in the Republican Primary by Mansfield consultant Larry Kilgore for the party's nomination. Four Democrats, Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, Rick Noriega and Rhett R. Smith are on the primary ballot.

Incumbent U.S. 14th District and presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul is opposed in the Republican primary by Chris Peden, a Friendswood CPA.

With no Democratic contenders for the post, the primary winner will take office in January.

REBROADCASTING THURSDAY

El Campo radio station KULP 1390 AM will give voters another

chance to hear roundtable debates with candidates for Wharton County district attorney starting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Democratic candidates will be broadcast first.