Early voting continues

Early voting for the March 6 Republican and Democratic Primaries began Tuesday with 222 persons casting ballots, 58 in Rockdale.

Early balloting runs weekdays through March 2 with one big exception. There’s a special Saturday opening from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Milam County Clerk’s office in Cameron.

Use your new yellow voter registration card.

FORUMS—Premier Milam race is for county judge where Frank Summers and Steve Young are vying in the Republican Primary for the position being vacated by Dave Barkemeyer.

Summers and Young spoke in a standing-room-only forum Thursday evening at the city library, hosted by the Rock-dale Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center.

Democratic candidate Jared Melde, who is unopposed for county judge in that primary, was present at Thursday’s forum but did not participate. He will face the Republican winner in November.

Another public forum, this one for candidates in all races was held later that evening in the Milano Civic Center.

GOP—Other Republican Primary races:

• Pct. 2 Commissioner, incumbent Donald Shuffield, Doug Baker and James Condry.

• Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace, Greg Hoelscher, Robert Hollas.

• Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace, incumbent Sam Berry, Don Schuerman.

• Treasurer, incumbent Linda Acosta, Jennifer “Jenger” Epperson-Moran.

• County clerk, Jodi Morgan (incumbent Democrat Barbara Vansa is passing up the ballot).

• District clerk, Karen Berry (incumbent).

• J-P Precinct 3, Andy Isaacs (incumbent).

• J-P Precinct 4, incumbent Gary Northcott, currently serving as a Democrat.

DEMOCR AT—Pct. 4 Commissioner Jeff Muegge has fi led for a new term.

STATE, FEDERAL—

There are a number of federal and state races on primary ballots, including one with a local angle.

That’s in the Democratic race for the nomination to U.S. House of Representatives District 17 where Rockdale native, and 2007 RHS graduate, Dale Mantey is opposed by Rick Kennedy.

Winner will challenge incumbent Republican Bill Flores who is unopposed on the GOP ballot.

November’s District 20 state representative race is set for November. Incumbent Republican Terry Wilson and Democrat Stephen Wyman are unopposed in their respective primaries.

Incumbent District 5 State Senator Charles Schwertner has a Republican Primary opponent in Harold Ramm.

Democratic candidates are Meg Walsh, Glenn “Grumpy” Williams and Brian Cronin.

CROWDED—The most crowded ballot is Texas governor with three Republicans and nine Democrats.

Incumbent Republican Greg Abbott is challenged by Barbara Krueger and SECEDE Kilgore.

Candidates on the Democratic ballot are Andrew White, James Jolly Clark, Joe Mumbach, Tom Wakely, Lupe Valdez, Jeffrey Payne, Grady Yarbrough, Cedric Davis and Adrian Ocegueda.

Incumbent Republican U.S, Senator Ted Cruz is challenged by Stefano deStefano, Bruce Jacobson Jr., Geraldine Sam and Mary Miller.

Democratic candidates are Beto O’Rourke, Edward Kimbrough and Sema Hernandez.