Giving a ‘thumbs up’ while waiting with her family for the ballots to come in on Primary Election Night is Asst. County Treasurer, Jeannie Keeney.

 

Freestone County residents showed up to polling places last week to cast their votes in this year’s Primary Elections.

In Freestone County, 30.15% of registered voters cast a ballot: 3,170 in the Republican Primary, 396 in the Democratic Primary. This is down from the previous year, which saw a record of 47% voter turnout.

The biggest influence, perhaps, for voter turnout in Freestone County, was three local elections, two of whose outcomes were determined in the Republican Primary held on March 6, 2018. Those races are County Clerk and County Treasurer.

The third race, for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2, determined the Republican candidate who will run against the Democratic candidate in the General Election in November.

A Run-Off election will be necessary for the Republican candidate for State Representative, District 8, currently held by Byron Cook, who chose not to run for re-election. Run-Offs are scheduled May 22nd.

These numbers are considered to be unofficial at this time as Republican and Democratic Chairmen must canvas the votes. This should take place within the next month.

Also, there is one more opportunity to enter the race, as write-in candidates have until August 24th to file for a spot on the ballot for the General Election, which will be held November 6, 2018.

County Clerk

With no Democratic challenger in the November General Election, Linda Jarvis will continue her position as County Clerk. She will begin her third term in this position starting in January, 2019.

Mrs. Jarvis received 60.08% of the vote with 1,839 ballots cast in her favor. Contender Renee Gregory Reynolds received 1,222 votes, 38.92%.

“I want to thank everyone for their support,” says Mrs. Jarvis. “I am truly honored to have been elected again, and will continue to work hard has your County Clerk.”

County Treasurer

Earning 52.30% of the vote, Jeannie Keeney will be Freestone County’s Treasurer beginning next year, as she will face no Democratic challengers in the General Election this fall.

Mrs. Keeney received 1,534 votes in the Republican primary. Her challenger was Tammy Harris, who took the other 47.70% with 1,399 votes.

“I would like to thank Freestone County citizens for their confidence in me as the next County Treasurer,” says Mrs. Keeney. “Also, a special thank you goes to my family and friends who spent countless hours knocking on doors, sitting at polling locations, and allowing me to put signs in your yards. I could not have done it without the help and dedication of each one of you.”

Mrs. Kenney currently serves as the Assistant County Treasurer and has done so for the past six years.

She continues saying, “I look forward to beginning my first term in office in January and promise to serve to the best of my ability. I am humbled and blessed by the amount of support that I received, and again say, Thank You!”

Justice of the Peace, Pct. #2

Judge Debra L. Hamilton won her bid for Republican candidate against challenger Dan Ramsey. Judge Hamilton received 493 votes (76.67%) to Ramsey’s 150 votes.

She will face Democratic challenger Pamela Whitt in the November General Election.

Run-Off Election

A Run-Off will be necessary between Republican candidates for the position of State Representative, District 8.

Thomas McNutt overwhelmingly won the race in Freestone County against challengers Cody Harris and Linda Timmerman. However, District 8 represents three other counties; Anderson, Hill, and Navarro.
Combined vote results show Harris in the lead with a total of 13,073 votes and McNutt a close second with 11,589 votes.

Since neither obtained at least 51% of the vote, they will have a run-off on May 22nd. The winner will face Democratic challenger Wesley D. Ratcliff in the November General Election.

More County Races

With no challengers, the following incumbents will remain in their current elected positions come January 2019.

Those officials include:

–Deborah Oaks Evans – District Judge, 87th Judicial Judge

–Linda Grant – County Judge

–Teresa F. Black – District Clerk

–Craig Oakes – County Commissioner, Pct. 2

–Clyde Ridge, Jr. – County Commissioner, Pct. 4

–Theresa Farris – Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1

–Cinnamon Archibald – Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3

–Shirley Mays – Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4

State Senator, District 5

Winning the Republican Primary for State Senator, District 5 is incumbent Charles Schwertner with 66.47% of votes against Harold Ramm.

Taking 53.82% of the vote for the Democratic Primary is Meg Walsh against Brian E. Cronin and Glenn “Grumpy” Williams.

Schwertner and Ms. Walsh will face off in the November Primary Election.

To view a full listing of results for the 2018 Texas Primaries, visit https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/

County Clerk Linda Jarvis is congratulated by her family on Primary Election Night.

Election Night photos by Nicole Schaefer.