Dateline: November 7, 2002

Hall beats Thompson for county judge

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Judge Jack Hall led all local incumbents in Tuesday’s General Election as he easily defeated former sheriff William J. Thompson by a margin of 2.5 to 1.

Hall won the right to a second full term, capturing more than 71 percent of the vote and beating his Republican challenger by a margin of 1,035 to 414.

“I just appreciate all the voters in Donley County,” Hall said. “This is a great place to live and a great place to be associated with.”

Sparks flew between the Hall and Thompson campaigns in recent weeks as the issue of county taxes became prominent. Thompson spoke out against a 27.78 percent increase in the county tax rate, which took effect this fall, and Hall stood on his record of service and as being a supporter of the courthouse restoration.

In other county races, all incumbents were re-elected in hard fought campaigns. County Treasurer Becky Jackson, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Vicki Sloan, 799 to 607. Democratic District and County Clerk Fay Vargas was the voters’ choice over Republican Vicki Knowles, 838 to 611. And Precinct 4 Commissioner Bob Trout, a Democrat, narrowly defeated Republican Wayne Riggs, 165 to 120.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Don Hall (R), Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Jimmy Johnson (R), and Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Ann Kennedy (D) all ran unopposed.

Clarendon native Mac Thornberry (R) was the clear choice of local voters to continue as the representative for the 13th Congressional District over Democrat Zane Reese, 1,222 to 203. At press time, Thornberry led district wide with a 78.7 percent lead.

Local voters also preferred Gov. Rick Perry (R) over Tony Sanchez (D), 1,026 to 343; David Dewhurst (R) over John Sharp (D) for Lt. Governor, 813 to 553; Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander (R) over Marty Atkins (D), 1,138 to 240; and John Cornyn (R) over Ron Kirk (D) for US Senator, 962 to 380. All Republicans were leading those races statewide at press time.

Also of local interest, Donley County voters were in favor of amending the Texas Constitution to allow for abolishing unnecessary constable positions by a margin of 767 to 118. The amendment was leading statewide at press time.

If approved, the new amendment would allow the Donley County Commissioners’ Court to abolish the Precinct 1&2 constable office, which was the source of controversy and a lawsuit following the last General Election. The county or the voters could re-activate the position in the future if it was desired.

A total of 1,449 local voters cast ballots in this year’s election – a more than 56 percent turnout. That is down from the 2000 General Election when 1,759 or 67 percent cast ballots.