Mineral Wells Area News

Reporting By Amy Meyer | Mineral Wells Area News

MINERAL WELLS — Unofficial cumulative results from the March 3 Republican Primary in Palo Pinto County show several races decided outright while others are headed to runoff elections. The most closely watched contest — the race for county Republican Party chair — remains too close to call.

According to the county’s cumulative results report, Steve Gray leads incumbent Barbara Upham by 11 votes. Gray received 2,268 votes (50.12%), while Upham received 2,257 votes (49.88%).

However, the outcome could still change. The Palo Pinto County Election Review Board will begin processing mail-in and provisional ballots at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and sources indicate roughly 30 ballots remain to be reviewed.

Countywide Offices

Several county races were decided in Tuesday’s Republican primary.

County Judge

Shane Long ran unopposed and received 4,094 votes.

District Clerk

Nathan Choate ran unopposed and received 4,007 votes.

County Tax Assessor-Collector (Unexpired Term)

Margaret Pechacek-Griffith ran unopposed and received 3,995 votes.

County Clerk

The race for County Clerk was one of the closest contests of the night.

Amanda “Mandy” Figueroa: 2,201 votes (52.69%) Tisha Lemley Bien: 1,976 votes (47.31%)

County Treasurer

Deanna Gilbert Copeland won the Republican primary for county treasurer with a decisive margin.

Deanna Gilbert Copeland: 3,257 votes (75.20%) Heather Mahaffey: 1,074 votes (24.80%)

County Commissioner Races

Precinct 2

The six-candidate race for County Commissioner, Precinct 2 will advance to a runoff election because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote.

Jon Altum: 486 votes (40.43%) Mitchell Ragle: 191 votes (15.89%) Lonnie Dixon: 134 votes (11.15%) Leonard Maddox: 122 votes (10.15%) Lawrence Altum: 112 votes (9.32%) Eric Anderson: 81 votes (6.74%) Jonny Johnston: 76 votes (6.32%)

Altum and Ragle will advance to the runoff election.

Precinct 4

The Precinct 4 commissioner race will also head to a runoff.

Jeff Fryer: 512 votes (40.57%) Andrew Watts: 392 votes (31.06%) Tim Bezio: 358 votes (28.37%)

Fryer and Watts will face each other in the runoff.

Justice of the Peace Races

Precinct 1

Brent Fuller won the primary with 537 votes (60.07%), defeating Megan McCoy Hughes and Nikki Wright.

Precinct 2

Jason Rhea Sheehy ran unopposed and received 428 votes.

Precinct 3

The Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace race will proceed to a runoff election.

Keith Long: 180 votes (33.90%) Dave Smith: 163 votes (30.70%) Brandy Fowler: 145 votes (27.31%) Donnie Jones: 43 votes (8.10%)

Long and Smith will advance to the runoff.

Precinct 4

Lyle Campbell ran unopposed and received 508 votes.

Precinct 5

Lauretta Poole won the race with 1,013 votes (53.29%), defeating Lisa Livingston.

What Happens Next

Under Texas election law, candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win a party primary outright. When no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two finishers advance to a runoff election, which is scheduled for late May.

Meanwhile, the outcome of the Republican Party Chair race remains unresolved pending review of additional ballots by the county election review board.

All results released Tuesday night remain unofficial until they are canvassed by county officials.

Winners and Runoff Races at a Glance

Republican Primary Winners

County Judge — Shane Long District Clerk — Nathan Choate County Clerk — Amanda “Mandy” Figueroa County Treasurer — Deanna Gilbert Copeland County Tax Assessor-Collector (Unexpired Term) — Margaret Pechacek-Griffith Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 — Brent Fuller Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 — Jason Rhea Sheehy Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 — Lyle Campbell Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5 — Lauretta Poole

Runoff Elections

County Commissioner, Precinct 2 — Jon Altum vs. Mitchell Ragle County Commissioner, Precinct 4 — Jeff Fryer vs. Andrew Watts Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 — Keith Long vs. Dave Smith

Still Pending

Republican Party Chair — Steve Gray leads Barbara Upham by 11 votes; additional ballots to be reviewed Wednesday.

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