Time to choose a judge

Tuesday night Milam residents should know who their new county judge will be.

Rockdale and Milam voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose between Republican Steve Young and Democrat Jared Melde, ending a campaign that’s lasted one month short of two years.

EARLY VOTING—Many hundreds of Milam voters have already made their choice in a heavy early voting turnout.

Through Tuesday, with three more days to go, 4,191 voters have cast early ballots.

That already far surpasses the 2018 total challenging the all-time “off-year” (non-presidential) record of 1,907 set in 2010.

JUDGE—Former County Judge Frank Summers kicked off the marathon campaign on Dec. 9, 2016, when he announced he would run and designated a campaign manager.

Young filed for the office on Nov. 13, 2017 and Melde four days later.

Young defeated Summers in the March Republican Primary. Melde was unopposed in the Democratic Primary.

Incumbent Republican County Judge Dave Barkemeyer did not seek a new term.

BIG NAMES—Milam voters will help pick in one of nation’s premier U.S. Senate races.

Ted Cruz, Republican incumbent, is opposed by Democrat Beto O’Rourke and Libertarian Neal Dikeman.

U.S. District 17 Representative Bill Flores (R) is opposed by Rick Kennedy (D) and Peter Churchman (L).

Incumbent Greg Abbott (R), Lupe Valdez (D) and Mark Jay Tippitts (L) are vying for governor.

State Senator District 5 candidates are incumbent Charles Schwertner (R), Meg Walsh (D) and Amy Lyons (L).

Terry Wilson (R) is seeking another term at State Representative, District 20 . He is opposed by Democrat Stephen M. Wyman.

TAX VOTE—There’s a proposition to the ballot seeking voter approval of a flood control/farm-to-market lateral tax which could add 30 cents to the county tax rate.

County Judge Dave Barkemeyer, said even if the tax is approved the county tax rate could not go above 80 cents without triggering a tax rollback election.

This fall, commissioners okayed a 3-cent tax increase to 73 cents after first looking at a 75-cent rate.

UNOPPOSED—All other Milam County races feature unopposed incumbents:

District clerk—Karen Berry (R).

County clerk—Jodi Morgan (R).

Sheriff (unexpired term)—Chris White (R).

Treasurer—Linda Acosta (R).

Pct. 1 J-P—Greg Hoelscher (R).

Pct. 2 commissioner— Donald Shuffield (R).

Pct. 2 J-P—Sam Berry (R).

Pct. 3 J-P—Andy Isaacs, (R).

Pct. 4 commissioner— Jeff Muegge (D).

Pct. 4 J-P—Gary Northcott, R).

STATE—Other races are:

Lt. governor—Dan Patrick (R), Mike Collier (D) Kerry Douglas McKennon (L).

Attorney general—Ken Paxton (R), Justin Nelson (D), Michael Ray Harris (L).

Comptroller—Glenn Hegar (R), Joi Chevalier (D), Ben Sanders (L).

Land commissioner— George P. Bush (R), Miguel Suaro (D), Matt Pina (L).

Agriculture commissioner—Sid Miller (R), Kim Olson (D), Richard Carpenter (L).

Railroad commissioner—Christi Craddick (R), Roman McAllen (D), Mike Wright (L).

Supreme Court, place 2—Jimmy Blacklock (R), Steven Kirkland (D).

Supreme court, place 4—John Devine (r), R. K. Sandill (D).

Supreme court, place 6—Jeff Brown (R), Kathy Cheng (D).

Court of Criminal Appeals, presiding judge—Sharon Keller (R), Maria T (Terri) Jackson (D), William Bryan Strange III (L).

Court of Criminal Appeals, place 7—Barbara Parker Hervey (R), Ramona Franklin (D).

Court of Criminal Appeals, place 8— Michelle Slaughter (R), Mark Ash (D).

Third Court of Appeals District, place 2—Cindy Olson Bourland (R), Edward Smith (D).

Third Court of Appeals District, place 3—Scott Field (R), Chari Kelly (D).

Third Court of Appeals District, place 5—David Puryear (R), Thomas J. Baker (D).

Third Court of Appeals District, place 6—Michael “Mike’ Toth (R), Gisela D. Triana (D).