Candidates continue to file as the deadline for the March primary election approaches.

Several Republicans have filed for various seats, including five new additions to justice of the peace seats in Precincts 1, 2 and 4.

County GOP chairwoman Dianne Edmondson said she is pleased with the selection of candidates.

“We’re going to have some very spirited primaries, and I am sure we will have a very strong slate for November,” she said.

Party officials will hold a news conference at 6 p.m. Monday at their headquarters in Corinth to announce all candidates. Monday is the deadline to file for the primary.

“There may be some surprises on the ballot,” Edmondson teased.

As of Thursday, no Democrats had filed for any positions, but county Democratic Party chairwoman Phyllis Wolper has assured that candidates are indeed coming.

“They will all be Monday,” she said. “We are going to do an announcement at 6:15 at the Courthouse [on the Square] in the Commissioners Courtroom,” she said.

Other upcoming political events include the Pachyderm Club of Denton County’s forum for Republican district attorney and probate court candidates, during the club’s monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Texas Land & Cattle Co. in Hickory Creek.

The county GOP also will sponsor a public forum at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce for those races.

And last week, it was announced that the first gubernatorial debate for the Republican primary will be at the University of North Texas at 7 p.m. Jan. 14.

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com.

ELECTION FILINGS

Listed are the latest additions to the March 2 Republican primary ballot. The deadline to file for the primary is Monday.

(I) denotes incumbent

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1

Jim Bryan, 45, Denton police officer

Justice of the Peace Precinct 4

Dave Jahn, 41, felony prosecutor

Scott Smith, 55, self-employed

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2

James DePiazza (I), 44

Carlos Gallardo, 53, human resources manager