Early Voting starts next week on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 in the Primary Elections for the Republican and Democratic parties.


At stake are party nominations for County, State and Federal elected positions, including that for the President.


Although incumbent Donald J. Trump is considered a shoo-in, he is joined on the ballot by six fellow Republican candidates.


Voters in the Republican Primary will also have the option of choosing “Uncommitted” for that race.


A slew of Democrats will be vying for their party’s presidential nomination.


Considered front runners, for the moment, include Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, and Joseph R. Biden.


Pete Buttigieg stepped up during the Iowa Caucus, the first contest in the nation, with Bernie Sanders trailing by only a tenth of a point.


At press time on Monday, polls showed Sanders slightly ahead in this week’s New Hampshire primaries.


The senior senator from Texas, John Cornyn, is up for re-election with four Republican opponents, including Mark Yancey, who was in Fairfield a few weeks ago for a candidate forum.


U.S. Senator Cornyn will face one of twelve Democratic contenders, following the outcome of the Primary races.


With the retirement of District 17 – U.S. Representative Bill Flores, the field is wide open with candidates to choose from in both political parties. The Republican Primary has twelve candidates vying for the nomination; the Democrats have three.


At least half of these Republican and all the Democratic hopefuls have been in Freestone County to visit with voters in the last several weeks.


On the State level, Ryan Sitton’s position as Railroad Commissioner is the most contested, with one Republican opponent, and four Democrats contending for their party’s nomination.


The majority of Freestone County races are unopposed with just one lone candidate in the Republican Primary (none filed locally as a Democrat).


Only three county level races are contested. They include the following Republican candidates:


–County Commissioner – Pct. 3: Ronnie French, Lloyd Lynn Lane, and Sonoma Adkins


–County Constable – Pct. 3: Richard Lee McGowan, L.J. McAdams, and Pamela Brackens Barnes (incumbent)


–County Constable – Pct. 4: Ken I. Sessions and Michael Fred Carter


Sample ballots, with a complete list of candidates, may be viewed online at www.co.freestone.tx.us on the “Elections” page. Or, visit the County Clerk’s office at 103 E. Main in Fairfield, Texas for a paper copy.


Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2020.


Early Voting will take place Tuesday, February 18th thru Friday, February 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday, February 24th thru Friday, February 28th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Cast your ballot early at one of two locations: Fairfield Civic Center (Green Barn) at the fairgrounds in Fairfield or Teague City Hall at 105 South 4th Avenue in Teague.