NEW BOSTON, Texas-Bowie County's Meet the Candidates and Straw Poll event Saturday night brought some good news for both incumbents and challengers alike.
While the threat of rain kept attendance relatively low compared with years past, the event drew more than 130 residents to New Boston High School where the New Boston Chamber of Commerce holds this event every two years before spring primaries.
As for the county's contested races, poll results are as follows:
Commissioner, Precinct 2
- Tom Whitten (incumbent), 103 votes
- Kenneth Zachery, 13 votes
Commissioner, Precinct 4
- Mike Carter (incumbent), 79 votes
- Robert Lorance, 49 votes
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Place 2 (open position)
- Todd Fore, 57 votes
- Mike Lusk, 36 votes
- Lonnie Johnson, 27 votes
- Jimmy Wesson, no votes
County Court at Law (open position)
- Craig Henry, 88 votes
- Cary G. Rochelle, 43 votes
Just before the results, candidates who attended the event, got to speak for three minutes to potential straw poll voters.
"When you sign up for this kind of job, you sign up for both the good times and the bad times," Whitten said regarding his re-election bid for Precinct 2 commissioner. "Right now, Bowie County is on the edge of seeing good times again and I need the residents to help me keep moving the county forward."
Like Whitten, Carter said he has seen the county's finances improve greatly during the last three years.
"We've been able to lower the property tax rate by a nickel, and we've been able to improve the county's bond rating," Carter said, regarding his re-election bid for as for the Precinct 4 commissioner. "In my precinct, we've been able to repair and improve more miles of rural county roadways then ever before."
As Carter's challenger, Lorance said attendees that with his experience in Redwater city government, they could trust him with managing their property tax money.
"If elected, I will put the interest of the residents first," he said.
Regarding the open Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 position, Johnson said he has 32 years experience in law enforcement and that he will be a fair and impartial justice if elected.
For his part, Lusk said that JPs also have to decide on some civil cases as well as misdemeanor criminal cases. He added that his 20 years in law enforcement and 17 years in law practice have quipped him for the job.
As for Fore, who is also seeking the position, he said that God has directed his decision to run for office.
"I've worked for the Bowie County Sheriff's Office and I will treat the office as full-time job," he said.
Finally for the County Court At-Law judge candidates, Henry said he would make decisions that are both fair and just, and while Rochelle said he has the experience to not only handle misdemeanor criminal cases, but also family law and civil cases.