Commissioner Reynolds opposed for re-election
Leroy Dettling files for Pct. 1 commissioner
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

As filings for a place on the ballot for the March primaries ended Wednesday an additional candidate produced another contested race in November.

During the final week of filing, Wharton resident Leroy Dettling put his name out as a candidate for Precinct 1 Commissioner in the Democratic Primary. He will be unopposed in March, but will be matched against incumbent Commissioner Mickey Reynolds in the general election voting.

The last day to file as a candidate was Jan. 2.

The only locally contested primary

races will be for district attorney, with

two candidates in each of the respective party primaries.

Incumbent Josh McCown is being challenged by El Campo Attorney Dawn Allison in the Republican primary while John C. Maher Jr. and John Roades have both filed as candidates seeking the Democratic party's nomination for November.

Others unopposed in the primaries but looking at contested November races include Constable Precinct 1 with incumbent Donald Barbee with the Democrats being opposed by Republican Dale Potter; Constable Precinct 4 featuring Democratic incumbent Shawn Ferguson challenged by Republican candidate Thomas Drapela.

Those unopposed in both the primary and general election include 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. In the Democratic Party, unopposed candidates include Tax Assessor-Collector Patrick Kubala, Tax Assessor-Collector and Precinct 2 Constable J.A. Szymanski. All are incumbent office holders.

In looking at the federal offices on the ballot, incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn will be opposed in the 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 have filed for the primary.

Incumbent U.S. Representative 14th District and presidential hopeful Ron Paul is opposed in the Republican primary by Chris Peden of Friendwood. No candidates filed for the position in the Democratic Primary.

At the state level, Texas House Representative District 28 John Zerwas did not have an opponent file in the Republican Primary. Dorothy Bottos filed as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the position.

For more candidate or voting information, the Texas Secretary of State Web site is www.sos.state.tx.us/elections.