New Order in the Courts

District judge's retirement opens up more than one seat for election

There will be some changes in Bowie County's judiciary beginning Jan. 1, 2019.

This year, registered voters in Bowie County will decide who will take the bench in the County Court of Law. Current Bowie County Court at Law Judge Jeff Addison is running unopposed for 102nd District judge, which serves Bowie and Red River Counties.

Bobby Lockhart, who currently serves as judge in the 102nd, is not seeking another term and plans to retire. Judge John Tidwell, who serves Bowie County's 202nd District, and Judge Bill Miller, who serves Bowie and Cass counties as 5th District judge, are currently serving terms that do not expire next year.

While the race for the vacancy Lockhart's upcoming retirement creates includes only one candidate, the race for the vacancy Addison's transition to district judge creates is contested.

Texarkana lawyers Craig Henry and Cary Rochelle have filed to run as Republicans for judge of Bowie County Court at Law. No candidates filed to run as a Democrat for the position. That means the race will be decided by Bowie County voters in the March 6 primary election.

Some Bowie County offices with functions related to the judiciary will not change. Jerry Rochelle-R, Bowie County's district attorney, is running unopposed for his third term. Some voters have expressed confusion because of the similarities between Cary Rochelle's and Jerry Rochelle's names. The two are not closely related.

Jill Harrington, who was appointed last year to finish the term of long-serving, now-retired District Clerk Billy Fox, is running unopposed for her first full term. Harrington's office manages court records and performs many other services.

There will be a new face in the Texas appellate court, which serves 19 counties, including Bowie County. Scott Stevens of Longview, Texas, is the only candidate who has filed to run for Place 2 associate justice of the 6th Court of Appeals headquartered in Texarkana. Bailey Moseley, who has occupied the seat since 2007, is not seeking re-election.

Chief Justice Josh Morriss and Place 3 Associate Justice Ralph Burgess, both of Texarkana, are currently serving terms that do not expire next year.

For a full list of candidates who have filed for elected positions statewide in Texas, visit the Texas secretary of state website.

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