Brownwood News – The Brown County Republican Party held a forum for Republican candidates in the March primary election. The forum was Tuesday night, hosted by the Victory Life Church. Master of ceremonies was Brown County Republican Party Chairman Robert Porter, and Moderator was Randy Turner, News Director at KOXE/KBWD radio.
First introduced were the uncontested candidates: Mike Smith, 35th District Judge; Michael Murray, 35th District Attorney; Gary Worley, County Commissioner, Precinct 1; Wayne Shaw, County Commissioner, Precinct 3; Vance Hill, Sheriff; Shane Britton, County Attorney; Christine Pentecost, County Tax Assessor-Collector; Robert Mullins, County Constable, Precinct 1; Troy Henderson, County Constable, Precinct 2; Roy Parrack, County Constable, Precinct 3; and Mike Isbell, County Constable, Precinct 4.
Next were two candidates for the 11th District Court of Appeals, Place 2: Frank Hunold of Odessa, and Bruce Williams of Midland. No questions were asked of the judicial candidates, as judges are not supposed to run on policy positions, but rather be impartial and fair in court, Porter explained. Hunold’s campaign literature describes him as an attorney “with over 30 years’ experience…practicing oil and gas, corporate, contracts, insurance defense, business litigation, and in-house counsel…”. Williams is also an attorney, practicing 37 years with the law firm of Cotton Bledsoe Tighe and Dawson. His web site states that his practice “includes a heavy focus on oil and gas litigation from the trial court all the way to the Supreme Court.” Williams also stated that he is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law.
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The program next moved to candidates for Texas House of Representatives, District 60. The four candidates were: Jon Francis, businessman from Cisco; Christopher Perricone, Mayor of Mineral Wells; Dr. Glenn Rogers, veterinarian and rancher from Graford; and Kellye Sorelle, attorney from Granbury. Each candidate was asked six questions:
*** What is your position of public education vs. school voucher/school choice programs?
*** How would you work to protect the interests of rural Texas concerning water, economic development, taxes, and government regulation?
*** How will redistricting affect District 60 and Brown County?
***How would you offer accessibility to your constituents?
*** How do you plan to work with others and build relationships with Representatives and Senators of both parties in Austin in order to be an effective representative for your district?
***Discuss the funding of your campaign, and how it will affect your representation of District 60.
The final round of the forum highlighted candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 11. Nine candidates participated:
*** Brandon Batch – Ex-Congressional Aide and business owner in West Texas
*** Jamie Berryhill – Christian mission director and former businessman, Odessa
*** J.D. Faircloth – Certified Public Accountant and former Mayor of Midland
***Casey Gray – Bangs High School alumnus, Army veteran, ex-CIA special agent, now living in Odessa
*** J. Ross Lacy – Midland City Councilman, and businessman in the oil industry
*** Ned Luscombe – Owner of Reliable Nursing Services, Odessa
*** August Pfluger – retired U.S. Air Force officer, ex-National Security Council official, now a businessman in San Angelo
*** Robert Tucker – U.S. Air Force veteran, pastor, and retired businessman in Comanche
*** Wesley Virdell – business owner, Brady
Due to time constraints and inclement weather moving in, these candidates only had time to introduce themselves and give short, 1-minute answers to a few questions, such as “What separates you from the other candidates?” and “What will be your #1 priority if elected?”
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. The early voting schedule is:
February 18 – 21, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, February 22 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, February 23 – 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
February 24 – 26 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
February 27-28 – 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
(story by Mike Blagg)