Few registrations as primary approaches
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Wharton County residents wanting to vote in the upcoming March primaries have less than two weeks to fill out their voter's registration card, unless they've already received a new orange one in the mail.

Currently, there are 24,171 registered voters in Wharton County, according to the office of Elections Administrator Judy Owens.

So far there hasn't been a large influx of registrations, she said, but added, "The DPS has been an asset with voter registration.

New 18 year olds and new residents to the county have the opportunity to register to vote when they get their license so this hits any new voters."

In recent weeks, new voter registration cards have been sent out to each of those voters. The new card, which is bright orange, is good through December 2009.

"Jan. 19 will be the deadline for any changes if the voter wants to vote during the early voting period," Owens said. "Otherwise, the voter will be given a ballot for the precinct that is currently listed on their VR card."

It will be needed by those wanting to cast March ballots.

In Wharton County, the race for district attorney will be the highlight for both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

On the GOP side, Incumbent Josh McCown is being challenged by Attorney Dawn Allison. Both live in El Campo.

On the Democratic ballot, John C. Maher Jr. and John Roades, both of Wharton, are seeking the position.

The winner of each primary will face off in the November 2008 general election.

The district attorney's post is the only opposed local office at the primary level, although several incumbents will face a November challenger.

Constable Precinct 4 Democratic incumbent Shawn Ferguson will be challenged by Republican candidate Thomas Drapela.

In Wharton County Precinct 1 Wharton resident Leroy Dettling is seeking the commissioner's post on the Democratic ticket challenging Republican Incumbent Mickey Reynolds, while Constable Precinct 1 Incumbent Donald Barbee, a Democrat, is being opposed by Republican Dale Potter.

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.

•Democrats - Tax Assessor- Collector Patrick Kubala, Tax Assessor-Collector and Precinct 2 Constable J.A. Szymanski.

All are incumbent office holders.

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. She challenged Zerwas in 2006.

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

Early voting for the March primaries starts Tuesday, Feb. 19 and runs through Friday, Feb. 29.

Election Day will be Tuesday, March 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.