Candidates seeking the nomination of the local Republican or Democratic parties ahead of next year’s general election can begin filing for primaries Saturday, November 8. The deadline to apply for a spot on the March primary ballot is 6 p.m. Monday, December 8.
Hill County offices up for election next year, and the current officeholders, include: District Judge (Justin Lewis), County Judge (Shane Brassell), County Court at Law Judge (Matt Crain), District Clerk (Marchel Eubank), County Clerk (Nicole Tanner), County Treasurer (Rachel Parker), Precinct 2 Commissioner (Larry Crumpton), Precinct 4 Commissioner (Martin Lake), Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace (Doyle “Trey” Jetton), Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace (Mark Hammonds), Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace (Shannon Skilling), Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace (Charles Jones), County Surveyor (Jesse Ince), Republican Party Chair (Will Orr) and Democratic Party Chair (Thomas Hanson).
Republican and Democratic primaries are held on the first Tuesday in March on even-numbered years, with the winners heading to November’s general election. Those elected typically take office the following January.
To file as a Republican candidate, contact Republican Party Chair Will Orr, preferably by email to william.orr.90@gmail.com. He can also be reached at 817-917-8395.
To file for the Democratic primary, contact Democratic Party Chair Thom Hanson at 254-479-8369 or thanson@hillcountydemocrats.com.
Those who intend to run as an independent candidate not affiliated with a political party can file a declaration with the county judge for county or precinct offices or the Texas secretary of state for district and state offices.
Libertarian Party or Green Party candidates can find out more about filing with the appropriate county or state official at http://www.sos.state.tx.us.
The application for a place on the primary ballot must be accompanied by either a filing fee or a petition in lieu of filing fee signed by a certain number of qualified voters.
Applications and a candidate’s guide can be found at the Texas Secretary of State’s Office website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us.
The March primary elections will be Tuesday, March 3, with early voting scheduled for the two weeks before the election date.
