Though the March 3 primaries are behind us, the county judge and Precinct 2 county commissioner races will not be decided until the May 26 primary runoff election. In both local races, the incumbents drew two challengers. A candidate must garner 50% of the vote in order to avoid a runoff.
Incumbent County Judge Sydney Murphy received 2,852 (37.89%) votes and will face Challenger Larry Pfeil in the runoff. Pfeil received 3,642 (48.38%) votes. Challenger Roy E Grant received 1,034 (13.74%) votes.
Incumbent Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark DuBose received 805 (33.20%) votes and will face Challenger Jay Stutts in the runoff. Stutts received 962 (39.67%) votes. Challenger Mark D. Smith received 658 (27.13%) votes.
Early voting for the May 26 primary runoff election is May 18-22. April 27 is the last day to register to vote in the primary runoff election and May 15 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the primary runoff election.
Incumbent 258th District Judge Travis Kitchens defeated Challenger Rob Freyer, winning all three counties that make up the 258th Judicial District. In Polk County, Kitchens received 4,396 (59.52%) votes and Freyer received 2,990 (40.48%) votes. In San Jacinto County, Kitchens received 2,724 (58.42%) votes and Freyer received 1,939 (41.58%) votes. In Trinity County, Kitchens received 1,949 (62.09%) votes and Freyer received 1,190 (37.91%) votes.
Although the race for district clerk was also a three-way race, Monical Richards Goodson won outright with 3,844 (55.86%) votes. Adness Fernandez received 1,184 (17.21%) votes and Megan Swander received 1,853 (26.93%) votes. This was an open seat following the retirement of Bobbye Christopher.
The seat of county clerk was also an open seat with County Clerk Schelana Hock opting to not run again. Margie West won outright with 3,609 (52%) votes. Jennifer Woods received 3,331 (48%) votes.
Incumbent Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Sarah Rasberry will retain her office, having received 1,229 (52.16%) votes to defeat Challenger Zachary Davies who received 1,127 (47.84%) votes.
Incumbent Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Robert “Dooley” Johnson also retained his office, having received 710 (56.22%) votes to defeat Challenger Michael Woodard who received 553 (43.78%) votes.
