Early voting ends Friday
Early voting for the March 3 Democratic and Republican Party Primaries will continue through Friday with in person voting set for Tuesday, March 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Locally, there are only two contested races – for 97th District Attorney, serving Montague, Clay and Archer Counties, and Montague County Constable Precinct 2 (the south half of the county).
The two district/state elections drawing the most attention is the Democratic race for nomination as President of the United States, and the crowded field seeking to succeed retiring U.S. Cong. Mac Thornberry in the 13th Congressional District of Texas.
Cong. Thornberry announced last fall that he was going to retire after 26 years in Congress.
As a result, 15 Republican candidates and three Democratic candidates filed for his seat.
Early voting will take place at four locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday Feb. 28 across Montague County:
–The H.J. Justin Community Room, 100 Clay Street, Nocona.
–The Montague County Courthouse Annex Community Room, 11339 State Hwy. 59 North, Montague.
–Bible Baptist Church, 1400 Hwy. 59N, Bowie.
–And the Saint Jo Community Room, 101 E. Boggess St., Saint Jo.
Incumbent 97th District Attorney Casey Polhemus of Bowie is being challenged by former Clay County/District Attorney William “Bill” Knowlton of Henrietta.
In the race to succeed the retiring Precinct 2 Constable Ronnie Reynolds of Forestburg, two career law enforcement officers, Art Ferguson and Jerry DeMoss, both of Bowie, are running on the Republican ballot.
There are no Democratic candidates for either office, as a result the winners of the Republican Primary will be unopposed in the November General Election.
Such is not the case for the 13th Congressional District of Texas.
Democrats seeking to turn a deeply ‘red’ Congressional district ‘blue’ are retiree Timothy W. Gassaway of Amarillo, retiree Greg Sagan of Amarillo and office manager Gus Trujillo of Amarillo.
The 15 Republican candidates are: Catherine “I Swear” Carr who lists an Austin office, Jamie Culley of Wichita Falls, businessman Chris Ekstrom of Wichita Falls, Amarillo social studies teacher Jason Foglesong, Wichita County Commissioner Lee Harvey of Burkburnett, Amarillo City Councilwoman and financial planner Elaine Hays, retired U.S. Army veteran Richard Herman of Amarillo, retired Navy Rear Admiral Dr. Ronny Jackson, M.D., Henrietta attorney Diane Knowlton, educator Matt McArthur of Spur, Bowie elementary school counselor Mark Neese, Petersburg business development executive Asusena Resendiz, Amarillo railroad conductor Vance Snider II, former director of industry affairs for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association Josh Winegarner of Canyon and Monique Worthy of Wichita Falls.
Catherin Carr, Chris Ekstrom and Dr. Ronnie Jackson have all been criticized by their opponents for not being residents of the district. By law, one does not have to actually reside in the district to be elected.
Dr. Jackson, who grew up in Levelland just south of district and who until December was a physician and rear admiral, retired from the U.S. Navy and has since moved into the district.
Ekstrom, described as a “deep pocketed conservative activist” moved to Wichita Falls in November on hopes of succeeding Thornberry who in turn has voiced dismay at the ‘move in’ candidates.
To vote Tuesday, you will need a photo ID – Texas driver’s license or state issued ID card, passport, or other acceptable identifying documentation.
Montague County is a Universal Voting County which means voters can cast ballots at any of the 10 locations in the county:
–Bowie Public Library, 301 Walnut St.
–Bowie Bible Baptist Church, 1400 Hwy 59N.
–Forestburg Community Room, 15617 FM 455.
–Sunset City Hall, 119 FM 1749/
–Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum, 1522 E. Hwy. 82, Nocona.
–Nocona H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay St.
–Saint Jo Civic Center, 101 E. Boggess
–Ringgold Elementary School, 3rd and Hickory Strets.
–Valley View Baptist Church, 6159 FM 103, Spanish Fort
–Montague County Community Room, 11339 State Hwy 59N.