Campaigns head into the home stretch, election Tuesday

The final days of the 2024 Primary Election are upon us, and voters will decide the future of Liberty County for the next four years on Tuesday, as there are no Democrats on the ballot locally.

Several races have been heating up and will likely bring some excitement as the votes are tallied on Tuesday night.

One contest has provided plenty of drama in Texas House District 18, where incumbent Ernest Bailes has been in a knockdown drag- out contest with challengers Janis Holt and Stephen Missick.

The race has even seen significant involvement from state leaders like Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz, both endorsing Holt over Bailes, and just this week, Donald Trump endorsed Holt in the race.

Perhaps the hottest race in the county is for the office of Liberty County District Attorney, where incumbent Jennifer Bergman and challenger Michelle Mangum-Merendino continue to throw barbs one another’s way on the campaign trail.

The only other countywide race on the ballot is for Liberty County Tax Assessor- Collector, with incumbent Richard Brown facing a challenge from Linda Champman.

Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader, Liberty County Attorney Matthew Poston and Liberty County Court-at-Law Place 2 Judge Wes Hinch are running unopposed.

Down-ballot voters will decide a pair of commissioner’s races and three constables on the ballot.

Incumbent Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Karbowski faces challenger Toby Wilburn, while incumbent Pct. 3 Commissioner David Whitmire is being opposed by BJ Kevin Burton Jr.

Pct. 1 Constable Tammy Bishop is challenged by Chance Maddox, Pct. 5 incumbent David Hunter is facing off with Chad Pafford, and in a rematch from 2020 incumbent Pct. 6 Constable Zack Harkness faces former constable John Joslin.

Uncontested candidates for constable are Pct. 4 Constable Robby Thornton, Pct. 3 Constable Mark “Maddog” Davison and soon-to-be Pct. 2 Constable John Tucker, who will succeed incumbent Les Hulsey.

There are several other statewide races, and voters will have an opportunity to weigh in on nominees for President.

Election Day voting will be conducted on March 5 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the following locations:

• Pct. 1 Rye/Romayor, consolidated with Precinct 2.

• Pct. 2 Moss Hill United Pentecostal Church, 127 Highway 105 E, Liberty, Texas

• Pct. 3 Hardin City Hall, 142 C.R. 2010, Hardin, Texas. Curbside voting available.

• Pct. 4 Devers Elementary School, 201 Chism St., Devers, Texas.

• Pct. 6 Calvary Baptist Church, 15 C. R. 129, Liberty, Texas.

• Pct. 7 The Sanctuary Pentecostal Church, 100 E. Hanson St., Cleveland, Texas.

• Pct. 8 Dolen Baptist Church Gym, 10078 FM 787, Cleveland, Texas.

• Pct. 9 Hi-Way Tabernacle, 108 C. R. 2250, Cleveland, Texas.

• Pct. 10 St. Anne’s Catholic Church Hall, C.R. 622 & FM 686, Eastgate, Dayton, Texas.

• Pct. 11 Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3730 FM 160, Raywood, Texas.

• Pct. 13 Hull-Daisetta High School, 117 N. Main St., Daisetta, Texas.

• Pct. 18 Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, 101 Donatto Drive, Liberty, Texas.

• Pct. 19 Jack Hartel Admin. Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty, TX. Curbside voting available.

• Pct. 20 Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Ave., Cleveland, TX. Curbside voting available.

• Pct. 21 Kenefick Southern Baptist Church, 3536 FM 1008, Kenefick, Texas

• Pct. 22 Dayton Community Center, 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton, TX. Curbside voting available.

• Pct. 23 Sante Fe Administration Building, 1680 C. R. 3549, Cleveland, Texas.

• Pct. 24 Pathways Church, 9160 FM 1409, Dayton, Texas.

• Pct. 25 Tarkington Prairie Baptist Church, 25 C. R. 306, Cleveland, Texas.

• Pct. 26 Cleveland, consolidated with Precinct 7.

• Pct. 30 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 803 S. Colbert St., Dayton, Texas.

• Pct. 31 Plum Grove City Hall, 155 C.R. 345, Plum Grove, Texas Curbside voting is available at the locations designated by calling 936-253-8050.

Limited voting is available only at Jack Hartel Administration Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty, Texas.