At a standing-room-only press conference, Cathy Smith sat quietly with her Dem­ocratic Party companions as the party formally announced its slate of candidates for the 2008 elections.

As each candidate delivered a speech, Smith nodded, clapped and, on occasion, screamed. And she wasn’t alone.

For the Denton Record-Chronicle/Michael Clements

Phyllis Wolper announces her plan to run for county commissioner in Precinct 1 during a press conference given by the Denton County Democratic Party to introduce candidates for the 2008 elections on Tuesday in Denton.

“This has been a long time coming,” she said.

On Wednesday, the Denton County Dem­ocratic Party announced a slate of nine candidates — the first of its kind since 1986 — for election to nine races, including Precinct 1 county commissioner, constable Precinct 5 and 16th District Court judge.

“We are back,” said Neil Durrance, the county Democratic Party chairman. “We are here to offer Denton County residents choice, balance and accountability. It is our intention to bring balance and good government to Denton County.”

The Democrats’ tactic was in stark opposition to their political foes.

As the Democratic Party headquarters bustled with excitement Wednesday night, Republicans had a quiet day as no surprise candidates filed. In the first three days of the filing period, 20 of their 23 candidates filed the necessary paperwork.

Republican officials weren’t surprised at the Democrats’ tactics.

“We have been there,” said Dianne Edmondson, Denton County Republican Party chairwoman. “That’s where we were 20 years ago. We know what they are doing.”

With the resurgence of the Democratic Party in Dallas County, Denton County officials have been trying to rebuild the party in the historically Republican county.

“That’s the smart way to do it,” Edmondson said.

Republicans already have something to cheer about.

With seven candidates running unopposed, the party has all but secured those positions, which include Precinct 3 County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell, Tax Assessor-Collector Steve Mossman and Sheriff Benny Parkey.

“I like that idea,” Mossman said. “I am glad the people of Denton County have said that they like what we do. No one likes paying taxes, but no one is terribly upset.”

Barring a successful write-in candidate, those seven Republican candidates would win the general election in November. Wednesday, Democrats were not concerned about the positions that they conceded to the Republicans.

“I would have liked to have filled the ballot,” Durrance said.

Like many North Texas Democrats, those in Denton County were inspired by Dallas County’s shocking Democratic Party victories last year. The party is hoping that with its first slate, the national swing to the Democratic side and the success in Dallas County, that the party can secure its first elected position since 2004.

“Our plan is to win them all,” Durrance said.

DAN X. McGRAW can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is dmcgraw@dentonrc.com .

Wednesday was the last day for candidates to file with their political party to be placed on the ballot for upcoming elections:

DEMOCRAT

16th District Court judge
Karen Guerra

U.S.Congress District 24
Tom Love

U.S.Congress District 26
Ken Leach

State House District 63
Jesus Carrillo

State House District 64
John McClelland

Precinct 1 county commissioner
Phyllis Wolper

Precinct 5 constable
Mike Ballard

Democratic Party chairman
Neil Durrance (I)

REPUBLICAN

393rd District Court judge
Lee Ann Breading
Steve Burgess
Doug Robison
Randy Stout

362nd District Court judge
*Bruce McFarling (I)

16th District Court judge
Carmen Rivera-Worley (I)

U.S.Congress District 24
Kenny Marchant (I)

U.S.Congress District 26
Michael Burgess (I)

State House District 63
Tan Parker (I)

State House District 64
Myra Crownover (I)

State House District 65
Burt Solomons (I)

County sheriff
*Benny Parkey (I)

County tax assessor-collector
*Steve Mossman (I)

Precinct 1 county commissioner
Hugh Coleman
Cynthia White (I)

Precinct 3 county commissioner
*Bobbie J. Mitchell (I)

Precinct 1 constable
*Jim Dotson (I)

Precinct 2 constable
*Mike Truitt (I)

Andy Longo

Precinct 3 constable
*Jerry Raburn (I)

Precinct 4 constable
John Hatzenbuhler (I)
Sam Mooney

Precinct 5 constable
Johnny Hammons
Ken Jannereth (I)

Precinct 6 constable
*Ron Smith

Republican chairperson
Dianne Edmondson (I)

LIBERTARIAN

State House District 63
John Turner

State House District 64
Jason Jordan

(I) designates incumbent

* designates candidates running unopposed in the general election