Busy election season looms for Titus County

With the deadline to file for the Republican and Democratic primaries coming at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, it looks like 2018 will be a busy election year in Titus County.

Two incumbents running for re-election have already drawn opponents, and there are multiple candidates in open seats for County Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, and District Clerk.

County Judge Brian Lee, first elected in 2010, has drawn an opponent in the Republican Primary in Denise Reichert. Lee was the first Republican elected to the commissioners court when he defeated Democratic incumbent Sam Russell in 2010. He was re-elected without opposition in 2014.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Mike Fields, first elected in 1986, is retiring, and four candidates have filed so far for the seat.

Field is the last Democrat left on the court, and two Democrats have filed for the post, Philip Hoffman and Raymond Johnson. Two Republicans have also filed, Eddie Perritt and John Fitch.

In the other County Commissioners seat up for election this year, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jimmy Parker - first elected in 2014 - is being challenged by Judy Kent, who is seeking to be the first female commissioner in Titus County history.

District Clerk Debra Abston, who has been in office since 2001, is not running for re-election. Three Republicans - Esther Holliday,  Marcus D. Carlock and Sharyn Cary - have filed for the seat, as well as Democrat LaWyanda Miller Prince.

Justice of the Peace for Pct.1 Kay McNutt is not running for re-election, and two Republicans - Steve Agan and Woody Hughes - have filed for the seat.

Justice of the Peace for Pct.2 Paula Dyke is also not running again. Irma Dunn and Tim Blair - both Republicans - have filed for the seat

Incumbent County Clerk Joan Newman and incumbent County Treasurer Sheryl Preddy have both filed again, Newman as a Republican and Preddy as a Democrat. Both were elected in 2014.