Tuesday was Election Day in Brown County where the Republican Primary featured five contested races – three of which will now be decided in a May 24 run-off election.
Run-off elections result when the candidate with the most votes does not receive at least 50 percent of the total vote. The candidates with the first and second highest number of votes move on a run-off.
In the four-person race for Brown County Judge, Shane Britton and incumbent Paul Lilly are headed for a run-off as Britton received 2,293 votes, or 37.73%, while Lilly received 1,575 votes, or 25.92%. Terry Blevins garnered third most votes at 1,129, or 18.58%, while Molly Kay Smith placed fourth with 1,080 votes, or 17.77%.
Britton was at the Brown County Elections Office when the final tally came in, and told BrownwoodNews.com, “I’m excited. I’m honored that the voters trusted me and voted for me. I’m not surprised. This is what I expected and the percentages are pretty close to what I expected. so we’re looking forward to the run-off.”
In the four-person race for Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, incumbent Ted Perez and Harold “H.Q.” Thomas will square off in a run-off. Perez collected 495 votes, or 35.9%, while Thomas tallied 389 votes, or 28.21%. Rusty Howell came in third with 260 votes, or 18.85%, and Andre Smoot was fourth with 235 votes, or 17.04%.
There will also be a run-off for the Precinct 2 County Commissioner between incumbent Joel Kelton with 45.78% of the vote, a total of 493 votes, and Jeff Hoskinson with 29.41%, a total of 317 votes. Bo E. Allen placed third with 24.79% percent, or 267 votes.
In the Precinct 4 County Commissioner race, incumbent Larry Traweek defeated George Huseman 886 votes, or 62.88%, to 523 votes, or 37.12%.
After the final votes were released at the Brown County Elections Office, Traweek, who will serve a fifth term, told BrownwoodNews.com, “It’s pretty nice. The voters have spoken. I want to thank all my voters. They’ve been wonderful to me, and I thank them.”
And in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 race, Bryan Thompson upended Brian Edwards 1,301 votes, or 80.16%, to 322 votes, or 19.84%.
“I’m very appreciative of the vote turnout and the votes that I received,” Thompson told BrownwoodNews.com during the Brown County Republican Party’s gathering at Teddy’s Brewhaus Tuesday night. “I’m just thankful for Precinct 3 voting me into office again and I just thank people for the continued support that I’ve got over the last 15 years and I look forward to serving another term.”
With no Democrats running in the November election, the Republican Primary winners will take office in January 2023.
Those who ran unopposed in the Republican Primary and will be continuing their public service include:
- County Surveyor – Don King
- County Clerk – Sharon Ferguson
- County Treasurer – Ann Krpoun
- County Court at Law – Sam Moss
- District Clerk – Cheryl Jones
- County Attorney – Jennifer Broughton
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 1– Doug Hurt
- Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 – Harold Hogan
- Brown County Republican Party Chairman – Robert Porter
In other races of local interest, David Spiller won the District 68 State Representative Republican Primary with 69.8% of the vote, or 21,423. In Brown County, Spiller picked up 66.86% of the vote, or 3,661. Spiller, the incumbent, will hold on to his position as Brown County transitions to a new district in January 2023.
In the Texas Senate District 10 race, Republican Phil King, with 41,641 votes, or 77%, defeated Warren Norred with 12,408 votes, or 23%. King will go on the face Democrat incumbent Beverly Powell in November.
***
BROWN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FINAL VOTES
Brown County Judge
Shane Britton 37.73% – 2,293 votes
Paul Lilly 25.92% – 1,595 votes
Terry Blevins 18.58% – 1,129 votes
Molly Kay Smith 17.77% – 1,080 votes
***
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
Ted Perez 35.9% – 495 votes
Harold “H.Q.” Thomas, 28.21% – 389 votes
Rusty Howell 18.85% – 260 votes
Andre Smoot 17.04% – 235 votes
***
Precinct 2 County Commissioner
Joel Kelton 45.78% – 493 votes
Jeff Hoskinson 29.41% – 317 votes
Bo E. Allen 24.79% – 267 votes
***
Precinct 4 County Commissioner
Larry Traweek 62.88% – 886 votes
George Huseman 37.12% – 322 votes
***
Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
Bryan Thompson 80.16% – 1,301 votes
Brian Edwards 19.84% – 322 votes