Incumbents begin drawing challenges

Filing for a places on the March primary ballot began Saturday and continues through 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2.

This is the deadline for the receipt of the application and payment of the filing fee or petition in lieu of a filing fee.

In local races, incumbent Pct. 4 Commissioner Danny Craig has drawn an opponent. Craig is serving his second term on the commissioner’s court. He was first elected in 1998 and reelected in 2002.

John Mathis, a deputy with the Gregg County Sheriff ’s Department, has filed to run against Craig. He is a resident of Elderville. The 54-year-old Mathis has been with the Gregg County Sheriff ’s Office for 34 years.

A number of other local officials are up for re-election.

County Judge Bill Stoudt has already announced his intentions to run for a second term.

Other local offices up for election in March include district attorney, district clerk, county clerk, Pct. 2 commissioner; all justices of the peace, all district judges and county court judges No. 1 and No. 2, as well as party chairs.

In district races Texas Representatives Tommy Merritt (R-Longview) and Chuck Hopson (D -Jacksonville) and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) are drawing opposition.

Merritt represents District 7, Gregg and a part of Smith counties. Hopson represents District 11. This includes Rusk, Panola, Cherokee and Houston counties.

Gohmert represents Texas Congressional District 1. The First District includes Angelina County, Cass County, Gregg County, Harrison County, Marion County, Nacogdoches County, Panola County, Rusk County, Sabine County, San Augustine County, Shelby County, Smith County, and Upshur County.

Patrick Franklin of Longview has announced his intentions to file for Merritt’s place in Austin, while Roger L. Owen of Longview plans to try to unseat Gohmert who is serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Both Franklin and Owen have yet to file officially but have announced their intentions to do so.

Franklin is the assistant manager of Wilson’s Leather at Longview Mall. He is a graduate of Sabine High School and received a degree in economics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.

Owen is the owner of Admiral Pools in Longview. He grew up in Florida. While living there he ran for both the Florida House and Senate, but failed in both attempts.

“I plan to file within the next week,” he said. “This is not something to be placed on the back burner.”

Republican Brian Walker announced his plans to run for the District 11 place now held by Hopson. Walker is a resident of Tatum and practices law in Marshall. He also teaches state and federal government at Panola College.

Mike Alberts, Wells school district teacher, for the Republican nomination for District 11. Alberts ran against Hopson in the last election.