By Anita Miller
San Marcos — A lot can happen between now and then, but portions of the future became clearer on Monday as the deadline passed to file candidacy for the Nov. 2 elections.
Barring catastrophe, Democrat Sherri Tibbe will be the county’s Criminal District Attorney for another four years, as no one in either party filed to oppose her.
Others earning another term by default include Republicans State Senator Jeff Wentworth, 207th Judicial District Judge Jack Robison, County Treasurer Michele Tuttle, Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 Andrew W. Cable, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Terry Kyle and 274th Judicial District Judge Gary L. Steel.
In addition to Tibbe, other Democrats running unopposed are County Court at Law Place 2 Linda A. Rodriguez, Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Margie Hinojosa-Hernandez, Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 Scot Carey and Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Beth Smith.
Democrat State Rep. Patrick Rose is being challenged by Andrew Backus in the March 2 primary. The winner of that race will face Republican Jason A. Isaac in November.
In the race for Hays County Judge, incumbent Democrat Liz Sumter will face current Commissioner Pct. 2 Jeff Barton in the March primary. Two Republicans will also face off in March, Margaret C. “Peggy” Jones and Albert H. “Bert” Cobb.
County Court at Law Place 1 incumbent Anna Martinez Boling, a Democrat who was appointed to fill the seat of the late Howard Warner, will face David Mendoza in the March primary, with the victor going up against Republican Robert Updegrove in November.
Democrat Cecilia Adair is not seeking re-election as District Clerk. Democrat Alfredo Sanchez will face Republican Beverly A. Crumley in the general election.
Sheriff Tommy Ratliff, himself appointed to fill the boots of the late Allen Bridges, will face Bill Huddleston in the Democratic primary, with the winner facing Republic Gary Cutler in the fall.
Likewise, Republican County Clerk Linda Fritsche is not running again. She will be succeeded by either Republican Liz Gonzalez or Democrat Gina Islas-Mendoza.
In the running for the Commissioner’s Court seat Barton is abandoning in his race against Sumter are two Republicans, Mark G. Jones and Mike Gonzalez. One of them will face Democrat Ray Bryant in the fall.
Incumbent Commissioner Pct. 4 Karen Ford, a Democrat, has no primary opposition and will go up against Republican Raymond “Ray” Whisenant in November. Also going head to head will be incumbent County Surveyor Kelly Kilber, a Republican, and Democrat Shawn Ash.
In the race for judge of the 428th Judicial District, incumbent Republican Bill Henry will face Democrat Scott R. Courtney.
Early voting in the March primary begins Feb. 16 and runs through Feb. 26.
