This is what I submitted for the Oct. 2 issue of The Ellis County Press:
Forget McCain-Obama; what about local elections?Memorial services for Cathy Kennedy, who sold classified ads here at the paper and someone I trusted, got inspiration from and helped personally recruit for the county treasurer’s position in the fall (as a Libertarian), were held last weekend, and due to scheduling and communication conflicts, I was unable to attend. My deepest apologies to the family. Her fight to clear her son accused of sexual assault when he was 12-years-old will continue (it’s a messed up story, believe me.)
For 2008, we have two races worth watching, with a possible “wild card” that might pan out to be interesting as well.
Commissioner Precinct 1
Incumbent Republican Dennis Robinson of Palmer faces his toughest re-election fight since his first election in 2004, but he’s running against a familiar foe. Democrat Broderick Sargent, a former Waxahachie councilman who ran for commissioner as a Republican in the 2004 primary against Robinson and three others, has not returned any phone calls, postal mail questionnaires or any requests for comment.
But with a black Democratic nominee for president atop the ballot and Sargent, who is also black, running for the county’s only so-called “minority” precinct (Precinct 1 was devised to elect a minority; Robinson’s opponent in 2004, black ex-Ferris councilman Victor Burnett, was crushed; that was then, this year is way different), Republicans in the eastern side of the county are worried about the potential pick-up for Sargent, who owes $25,000 in back property taxes, according to a Dallas Morning News article earlier this year. Rating: Toss-UpCommissioner Precinct 3
Heath Sims of Waxahachie will try to block a trend that has gotten rid of two-term commissioners from this large Midlothian-to-Milford precinct since the 1980s. Of course, Precinct 3 never had most of Midlothian’s strong conservative voting trends, either, but Sims’ fight will be an interesting one.
Sims, who defeated the incumbent in 2004’s GOP run-off, faces a strong conservative Democrat from Midlothian in Jim Schico, who has hammered county commissioners for taxes and spending on his Web site and in editorials.
Sims’ vote to hike his pay several weeks ago (commissioners now make $75,276 annually) has many in his precinct venting their frustration. One precinct in particular should be monitored closely: 142. It is in Precinct 142 that 500-700 votes from Midlothian’s anti-annexation bloc could swing this race.
Since the City of Midlothian’s drive to incorporate those residents have left a boiling pot simmering, the voters in 142 will have nothing to lose if they go and pull the lever for non-incumbents. Rating: GOPWild-Card
Congressman Joe Barton, R-Ennis, faces two opponents (Democrat/Libertarian), and he will win another term hands-down. Same goes for state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, who is this county’s Richard Daley (like Chicago’s mayor, Pitts wins every time) and who faces Libertarian Phil Smart.
The Libertarians have more candidates on the ballot than the Democrats, including the wild-card match up between Tax Collector John Bridges, R-Waxahachie, and Libertarian Linda Gallegos (also of Waxahachie.)
The $10,000 missing from the Red Oak tax office from December of last year still weighs heavily over Bridges, who contends he is still working with Texas Rangers investigators to hunt down the thief.
However, with a defense lawyer as the Libertarian county chairman, there could be an attempt to file on Bridges’ performance bond, and if that happens and a decision is made before the election to remove Bridges from office, Gallegos could by default become the tax collector. No Democrat filed.
Rating: GOP
