ELECTION DAY FOR MARCH PRIMARY RACES
Today (Tuesday) is Election Day, and Washington County residents will soon learn the results of the primary elections.
Anyone who did not take part during early voting has the opportunity today to visit their designated polling place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 14 locations in the county.
Polls will be open at:
- 101 – Friedens Church of Washington, 20322 FM 1155 E in Washington;
- 104, 117, 121 – Washington County Expo Event Center, 1305 East Blue Bell Road in Brenham;
- 109 – St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Sandy Hill, 8819 FM 2621;
- 115 – Silver Wings Ballroom, 4100 Highway 105 in Brenham;
- 203 – Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 5295 Main Street in Chappell Hill;
- 202, 208 – Salem Lutheran Church, 1500 Salem Road in Brenham;
- 205 – VFW Hall, 1200 East Tom Green Street in Brenham;
- 307 – American Legion Hall, 903 North Park Street in Brenham;
- 311 – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, 8201 Old Gay Hill Road;
- 312 – St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, 6605 Old Independence Road;
- 320 – Berlin-Mill Creek-Zionsville Volunteer Fire Department, 101 Lillie Lange Road;
- 406, 418, 419 – Blinn College Student Center, 1007 Walter Schwartz Way in Brenham;
- 410 – Burton Community Hall, 13100 West Washington Street in Burton;
- 413 – Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine, 6700 Wickel Road.
According to Washington County Elections Administrator Carol Jackson, there were 6,248 early voters, including 5,167 Republicans and 1,081 Democrats. The county has 25,660 registered voters.
Per information provided by Jackson, this primary’s early voting turnout is believed to be a record, with numbers exceeding that of the early voting for primary elections dating back to at least 2014.
Locally, Republican voters will decide on the races for County Judge, Precinct 2 and 3 Commissioner, and Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace. Republican and Democrat voters will both choose their party’s nominations for U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressional District 27, and state offices including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, General Land Office Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner and Railroad Commissioner. Additionally, voters will consider a set of nonbinding propositions meant to gauge support for possible legislation in the future.
For County Judge, Douglas Cone, Kirk Hanath and Brad Tegeler are running for the position held by John Durrenberger, who is not seeking another term.
Similarly, Candice Bullock is not pursuing re-election as Precinct 2 Commissioner, a role now being sought by Jim Chisolm, William “Bubba” Herrin, Amanda Klehm and Mark Schonefeld.
Chad Dismukes and Gil Janner are vying for Precinct 3 Commissioner. Kirk Hanath is currently serving as the holdover commissioner after declaring for County Judge.
The Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace race will feature Holly Johnson and Travis Semora, after Douglas Cone stepped down to run for County Judge. Semora was sworn in in November to serve out the remainder of Cone’s unexpired term. Johnson serves as the office’s chief justice clerk, a position she has held for over 20 years.
For the newly redistricted Washington County, which is now in U.S. Congressional District 27, Republicans will choose between incumbent Michael Cloud and Chris Hatley. Democrats will nominate one of Eustaquio “Stock” Castro-Mendoza, Tanya Lloyd and Wayne Raasch.
The Texas Senate and House seats of Lois Kolkhorst and Trey Wharton are uncontested on the Republican primary ballot, but they will face opposition in November from Democrats Erica Gillum and Andie Ho.
KWHI will have live election coverage when polls close at 7 p.m. on AM 1280, FM 101.7 and kwhi.com.