Burnet County elections showcase newcomers in three-way races
Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner candidates Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney, and Tom Stephens.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
BURNET — With primary election season gearing up, two Burnet County Republican races feature three-candidate matchups while the incumbents for both positions have bowed out.
An upcoming candidate forum will give voters a chance to hear from each of the candidates in those races. The forum is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St.
In the Burnet County Precinct 2 commissioner’s race, Damon Beierle, Ryan Rowney, and Tom Stephens are running. Incumbent Russell Graeter did not file to run.
In the Burnet County Precinct 3 justice of the peace race, Casey Headrick, Jane Marie Hurst, and Jeff Sellers will face each other. Incumbent Peggy Simon did not file for re-election.
“Those are the only opposed races, and the incumbents are not running,” said Burnet County Republican Chairperson Donna Holland Wilcox. “With just two opposed races, sometimes it may not get as much notice from the public, but these two races are important to our countywide government.”
Party officials have vowed to kindle more interest in the two races with a series of upcoming forums and meet-and-greet events.
“Forums are a great way for the public to hear candidates answer question,” she said. “It’s a great way to showcase their ability to be transparent and provide information.
“You can see how well they interact under pressure or how well they interact with others who are very direct in questioning,” Wilcox added. “It’s a great place to have conversations with them during the social time.”
Other upcoming candidate events include:
• Marble Falls Area VFD Pancake Breakfast, featuring party candidates, from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the MFAVFD fire hall, 606 Avenue N in Marble Falls;
• Burnet County Republican Women’s Meeting with Precinct 2 commissioner candidates at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Sylvester H. Reed Memorial Building, 402 Jackson St. in Burnet;
• and Burnet County Republican Club Community Pie Bake-Off and seventh annual Chili Cook-off, featuring candidates, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Burnet County Fairgrounds, 1208 Houston Clinton Drive in Burnet.
Unopposed 2018 Burnet County Republican primary candidates are as follows:
• County judge — James Oakley (incumbent)
• County commissioner, Precinct 4 — Joe Don Dockery (incumbent)
• District clerk — Casie Walker (incumbent)
• County treasurer — Karrie Crownover (incumbent)
• County clerk — Janet Parker (incumbent)
• County court at law — Linda Bayless (incumbent)
• Constable, Precinct 4 — Missy Bindseil (incumbent)
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 1 — Roxanne Nelson (incumbent)
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 2 — Lisa Whitehead (incumbent)
• Justice of the peace, Precinct 4 — Debbie Bindseil (incumbent)
The last day to register to vote is Feb. 5. Early voting is Feb. 20-March 2. The primary election is March 6. No Democratic candidates have filed to run for county office in Burnet County.