Two Democrats On March Ballot

With two exceptions, the only local office elections in Van Zandt County this year will be in March, not November.

County Democratic Party Chairman James Foreman confirmed just two candidates for the 2010 elections. Incumbent Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Ozelle Wilcoxson is seeking re-election, while Edom resident Jon Hood will compete for the Precinct 4 Commissioner office against Republican incumbent Ron Carroll in November.

Aside from those offices, it is the Republican Party primary on March 2 that will carry the most intrigue for local voters in four contested races.

The most crowded field of the four is Van Zandt County Treasurer. Incumbent Detra Janzen is not only being challenged by her current deputy treasurer Irma Hayes, but three others: Michael "Bert" Morris, Lisa Windsor and Teri Pruitt.

Van Zandt County Clerk Charlotte Bledsoe faces a March challenge by Kristi Whitaker, a former deputy clerk.

There will be a new Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney next year, as longtime DA Leslie Dixon has decided not to seek re-election. Instead, the reins will be handed over to one of three Republican candidates, those being Jesse Edwin Brownlee III, Christopher Martin and Mark Watson.

Also, it will be a Republican in the county’s new office, Van Zandt County Court-at-Law Judge. That will be contested among Amber Slaton, Roxie Cluck and Randal McDonald.

The list of Republicans with a free pass into another term is longest of any this year. Running unopposed in the primary and in the general election in November are 294th District Judge Teresa Drum, 294th District Clerk Karen Wilson, Van Zandt County Judge

Rhita Koches, Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr., Van Zandt County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Don Kirkpatrick, Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Ronnie Daniell and Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Michael Scott Shinn.

Herbert Dunn, a former Wills Point City Council member, will provide the opposition to Wilcoxson in November for the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace election.

Van Zandt County Republican Party Chairman Lance Lenz is running unopposed for another term. Foreman said he intends to stay on as county chairman of the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party will hold its official draw for ballot places Friday at 6 p.m. at Dairy Palace in Canton.

The last day to register to vote in the March primary election is Feb. 1. The primary election is set for March 2.