CORRECTION: In this story, Gene Hawthorne is stated to be the Jasper County Precinct 4 Constable. That is incorrect. Mark McKinley is the incumbent Precinct 4 Constable and is being challenged by Gene Hawthorne. The Jasper Newsboy regrets the error.

Seats at stake with primaries
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Ronnie McBride

Three Jasper County seats will be at stake Tuesday, March 4 when voters take to the polls for the primary elections.

 

The main race to be determined will be who will gain the Democratic nomination for Jasper County Sheriff. Voters will cast their support behind one of three candidates.

Sheriff

Incumbent Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride is seeking his second term in office.

"My primary goal was, and continues to be, providing Jasper County citizens with law enforcement services in the most effective and efficient means possible with the personnel and budget funds provided," McBride said.

"For three years, I have successfully worked within budget to provide these services without the accumulation of staff overtime or compensatory time," McBride said.

McBride has worked nearly 40 years as a Texas Peace Officer, serving as a police officer, a Texas Highway patrolman, and a Texas Ranger.

Mitchel Newman is one of two challengers that McBride will face in the March 4 primary.

"I pledge to be everyone's sheriff, no matter what your financial status, the color of your skin or where you live in the county," Newman said. "I will work with other agencies in a responsible manner. Every call will be answered, returned, or investigated."

Mitchel Newman

A 1971 graduate of Jasper High School, Newman is a U.S. Army veteran, past member of Local 450, operating engineers. Newman worked 12 years for Temple- Inland as a survey-party chief.

 

Newman is a graduate of the Angelina College Police Academy and has worked as a weight and license officer for Jasper County and as a Jasper County Sheriff's patrol officer. He is currently commissioned under the district attorney's office.

Kirbyville Police Chief Paul Brister is also a candidate in the race.

"I have 25 years experience in law enforcement, all on the local level," Brister said. "Within the Sheriff's office, I have worked as a correctional officer, patrolman, warrant officer, investigator and have served as chief deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and served seven years as Chief Deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office for Sheriff Billy Rowles.

"I have a working knowledge and supervisory experience to oversee the operations of the office and employees," Brister said. "If elected I will be out in the community listening to and hearing your concerns for four full years following the election to better provide you with the law enforcement office you want and deserve."

Paul Brister

Republican Jim Byerly is running unopposed on the Republican ticket and will face the Democratic opponent in November.

 

Byerly attended school in Jasper and Evadale and is a certified criminal investigator and former criminal district attorney investigator.

"Our sheriff's department must be restructured from the 'Good Ole Boy System.' There seems to be some mistrust by our community of how cases are handled by our sheriff," Byerly said.

"Citizens should feel assured that every case handled by our sheriff will be treated with the same integrity as any other, no matter race, age, level of income or just who you are," Byerly said. "I will be that working sheriff for you. I will work major crime scenes with my officers."

Another hotly contested race is the race for Jasper County Precinct 3 Commissioner. Incumbent Willie Stark is facing off against challenger Weldon Smith in the Democratic primary.

Willie Stark

Stark is seeking his third term in office and is a 1976 honor graduate from Kirbyville High School, and worked in the construction industry for 25 years prior to becoming county commissioner.

 

"The county is in excellent financial shape," Stark said. "We have survived two hurricanes and other natural disasters. Precinct 3 has been able to improve more than 35 miles of roads under my leadership."

Smith has served the Kirbyville community in the past as a board member of the Kirbyville Consolidated Independent School District and currently serves on the Jasper- Newton Electric Cooperative Share committee.

"During my 15 years of service I have worked for two commissioners," said Smith, who recently retired from his position with Jasper County. "I am proud that I was a part of the improvements made on our roads and bridges."

The last contested county race on the Democratic ticket will be for Precinct 6 Constable where incumbent Tommy Robinson is seeking re-election and is opposed by Joe Dunigan.

Weldon Smith

Among the county races where the incumbents are running unopposed include Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles "Jr." Shofner, Precinct 1 Constable Kit Stephenson; Precinct 2 Constable Ralph Nichols; Precinct 3 Constable Ronnie Hutchinson, Precinct 4 Constable Gene Hawthorne; Precinct 5 Constable Gerald W. McAdams and tax assessor collector Bobby Biscamp.

 

In Newton County, Democratic candidates filed for the positions available on the March ballot.

For the Newton County Sheriff's post, incumbent Joe A. Walker will face the challenge of Stephen Lowe and Kenneth L. Jones.

For Newton County, incumbent Commissioner William F. Fuller will face the challenge of Lura Rhodes Jr.

Thomas Fears and Leanord E. Powell will face off for the vacant Precinct 4 Commissioner's seat.

Precinct 1 Constable Mervin Ozan will face the challenge of J.L. Gilbert and Harold Love.

Precinct 2 Constable Billie Lewis is running unopposed for his postion.

Precinct 3 Constable Holton C. (Bubba) Johnson is running unopposed.

Precinct 4 Constable David Coffman has drawn the challenge of Kenneth W. Willis.

Dana Bean and William D. Dunn are running for the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4.

Incumbent Melissa Burks is running unopposed for the tax-assessorcollector post.