Dateline: December 8, 2005

Candidates begin filing for 2006 elections

By Roger  Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Candidates are beginning to line up for the primaries leading up to next year’s general election.

US Rep. Mac Thornberry of Clarendon announced Monday that he has filed to run for re-election in the 13th Congressional District of Texas. He will be on the Republican ticket.

County Judge Jack Hall has filed for re-election and so far is the lone local candidate running in the Democratic Primary.

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Donnie Hall has filed for re-election, and County Treasurer Wanda Smith, who was appointed to her office, is seeking a full term. And one new face has entered the political field as Landon Paul Lambert has filed to run for county attorney, a position that has been filled by appointment for the last several years.

Hall, Smith, and Lambert are all running as Republicans.

Other local positions up for election next year include county and district clerk, commissioner of Precinct 4, justice of the peace for Precincts 1 & 2, and justice of the peace for Precincts 3 & 4.

Filing takes place in the county clerk’s office in the Donley County Courthouse Annex and continues through 6 p.m. January 2, 2006. Those seeking public office will be required to pay a $750 filing fee or can present a petition to waive the fee.

The primary elections will be held March 7,  and Donley County Republican Chairman Tom Stauder says his party’s ballot will include names for six precinct chairpersons and the county chairman. He is reminding citizens to register to vote in the motor vehicle office in the Courthouse Annex if they have not done so.