Dateline: January 5, 2006

Battle lines drawn for upcoming elections

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Filing for this year’s elections for county offices closed Monday evening, and two contested races have emerged.

According to Donley County Democratic Chairman Jean Taylor, incumbent Bob Trout will face a primary challenge for his Precinct 4 commissioner’s seat from Brad Dalton.

Also Connie Havens has filed as a Democrat to run for Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1&2. She will face Republican incumbent Jimmy Johnson in the November election.

Unchallenged on the Democratic ticket are the following incumbents: County Judge Jack Hall, County/District Clerk Fay Vargas, and Justice of the Peach for Precincts 3&4 Ann Kennedy.

Taylor will also be on the ballot again to run for county chair of the Democratic Party.

The Republican line up includes incumbents US Rep. Mac Thornberry, County Treasurer Wanda Smith, and Pct. 2 County Commissioner Donnie Hall.

Also on the Republican ticket is Landon Paul Lambert, who has filed to run for county attorney. That position is currently held by Kaye Messer, who was appointed to that office by the commissioners’ court when it became vacant several years ago.

The Republican Party’s local primary ballot will also include the candidacies of county chairman Tom Stauder and precinct chairmen Betty Hester, Jo Webb, Helen Land, Ron Lamberth, Bill Carson, and Ginger Stone.

The Democratic and Republican primary elections will be held March 7, 2006. The general election will be held November 7.