Filing is under way for candidates eyeing the 2012 election year.
The filing period began Monday and kept local political party leaders busy logging candidates for a large slate of positions up for grabs in March's primaries and November's general election. DRC/Al Key Denton County Republican Chairwoman Dianne Edmondson, left, explains filing procedures to Amber Fulton, who is planning to run for District 88 of the Texas House of Representatives, on Monday at the party's headquarters. View larger More photos Photo store
"It looks like we're going to have a very spirited primary in the Republican Party," said Dianne Edmondson, chairwoman of the Denton County Republican Party.
Edmondson and fellow party members had a daylong filing party at their headquarters in Corinth for candidates to come in and formally file for the nearly two dozen positions on county ballots.
Edmondson said the office was busy from open to close as candidates filed in.
"Pretty much everyone has contacted us ahead of time to let us know they were interested in running, so there were no surprises, but you never know," Edmondson said. "We have a lot of good strong candidates. I think the voters will be pleased with the choices they have."
In most cases, incumbents are filing for re-election and hoping to continue the work they have been doing - but not all of them.
Steve Mossman, Denton County tax assessor/collector, will not seek election, opting to fulfill a time he set for himself to serve in the position. Judge Carmen Rivera-Worley, of the 16th District Court, is retiring, as is Precinct 4 Constable John Hatzenbuhler.
Republicans hold all the county's elected positions, but Phyllis Wolper, chairwoman of the Denton County Democratic Party, has hope for the handful of candidates her party has put together for the election.
"We're pleased with the amount of diversity our field of candidates represents, from all walks of life across this county," Wolper said. "We expect to have a few exciting challenges in some races in the county that traditionally re-elects incumbents."
Wolper said voters want candidates who are more responsive to their needs and not just representing the needs of the county's more affluent population.
"The common voter wants to be treated fairly and honestly represented," Wolper said. "We think our candidates fit that bill, and we're very excited to see how the public reacts to their campaigns."
BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com.
PRIMARY ELECTION
Here is a list of positions that will be on the 2012 primary ballot as well as the candidates who, as of Monday, had filed for the positions.
While other potential candidates have filled out campaign treasurer forms with the Denton County elections office, they have not yet filed with the county party. The last day to file is Dec. 15.
Tax assessor/collector
* Steve Mossman (I) - not running
* Michelle French (R)
* Marc Moffitt (R)
Sheriff
* Benny Parkey (I) (R)
Precinct 1 county commissioner
* Hugh Coleman (I) (R)
Precinct 3 county commissioner
* Bobbie Mitchell (I) (R)
Precinct 1 constable
* Jim Dotson (I) (R)
Precinct 2 constable
* Michael Truitt (I) (R)
Precinct 3 constable
* Barry Minoff (R)
* Jerry Raburn (I) (R)
Precinct 4 constable
* John Hatzenbuhler (I) (R)
Precinct 5 constable
* George Riojas (R)
* Doug Boydston (R)
Precinct 6 constable
* Ron Smith (I) (R)
* Kenneth Williams (R)
16th District judge
* Carmen Rivera-Worley (I) (R) - not running
* Sherry Shipman (R)
* Debra Jones (D)
362nd District judge
* No one filed for the position as of Monday.
393rd District judge
* No one filed for the position as of Monday.
431st District judge
* Jonathan Bailey (I) (R)
District 63 state representative
* Tan Parker (I) (R)
District 64 state representative
* Myra Crownover (I) (R)
* Mike Brucia (R)
* Mary Brown (D)
District 65 state representative
* Burt Solomons (I) (R)
* Larry Jones (R)
District 88 state representative
* Amber Fulton (R)
District 30 state senator
* Craig Estes (I, (R)
District 12 state senator
* Jane Nelson (I) (R)
District 26 U.S. representative
* Michael Burgess (I) (R)
* David Sanchez (D)
District 24 U.S. representative
* Kenny Marchant (I) (R)
Denton County Democratic Party chairperson
* Phyllis Wolper (I)
* John McClelland
