In a surprising turn of events, the Republican primary results on March 5 brought forth significant changes in the area’s political landscape. Notably, the election of a new sheriff in San Jacinto County with a famous name – Sam Houston – marked a pivotal moment, while a two-term state representative from the same county, Ernest Bailes, faced defeat at the hands of his challenger, Janis Holt. Holt claimed 53.17 percent, 15,005 votes, in all four of the counties that made up Texas House District 18. Bailes received 38.8 percent, 10,960 votes, while Stephen Andrew Missick claimed just 8 percent, 2,257 votes.
While San Jacinto County witnessed a new chapter with the election of its new sheriff, with longtime Sheriff Greg Capers seeing defeat, incumbents in local races in Liberty County secured their positions for another term. Returning for another term in Liberty County are Jennifer Bergman as district attorney, Bruce Karbowski as Pct. 1 commissioner, David Whitmire as Pct. 3 Commissioner, Richard Brown as County Tax Assessor-Collector, Tammy Bishop as Pct. 1 constable, David Hunter as Pct. 5 constable and Zack Harkness as Pct. 6 constable.
Three other candidates for constable – John Tucker for Pct. 2 constable, Mark “Maddog” Davidson for Pct. 3 constable and Robby Thornton for Pct. 4 constable – were unchallenged. Tucker currently is a Pct. 2 deputy constable and will replace retiring Constable Les Hulsey when his term ends in December 2024. Both Davidson and Thornton were the incumbents.
Likewise unchallenged for reelection were Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader, County Attorney Matthew Poston and County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Wes Hinch. All will return for another term.
San Jacinto County
In San Jacinto County, a mere 105 votes separated the two candidates for sheriff. Sam Houston received 2,989 votes to Greg Capers’ 2,884 votes. San Jacinto County voters also reelected Betty Davis as County Tax Assessor-Collector. She claimed a landslide number of votes, 5,026 to challenger Mark Hamilton’s 1,492 votes. District Judge of the 411 Judicial District, the Honorable John Wells, and Pct. 2 Constable Ray Atchley were unopposed and reelected.
While incumbent Pct. 4 Constable Brian Cosme faced a strong challenger, a former constable – Lou Rogers, Cosme claimed 63.46 percent, 1,077 votes, to Rogers’ 620 votes.
Some of the Republican primary races were undecided in San Jacinto County and will now be decided in a runoff election in the coming weeks. In order to avoid a runoff election in a primary election, a candidate must receive 50 percent, plus 1 vote; however, no candidate in the races for Pct. 1 commissioner, Pct. 3 commissioner, Pct. 1 constable and Pct. 3 constable claimed enough of a percentage of votes, so now the candidates with the two highest vote totals in each race will have to face off once again in a runoff election. Below is a view of all the votes cast in those races:
Pct. 1 commissioner
- Tim Fulcher – 224 votes, 13.75 percent
- Laddie McAnally – 549 votes, 33.70 percent
- Luke Sweeney – 632 votes, 38.80 percent
- Cheri Sewell Walker – 224, 13.75 percent
The runoff in this race will be between McAnally and Sweeney.
Pct. 3 commissioner
- Carson Combs – 201 votes, 14.42 percent
- Richard Arrendell – 112 votes, 8.03 percent
- Billy Burchett – 198 votes, 14.20 percent
- Crystal Dominy – 311 votes, 22.31 percent
- James “Butch” Moody – 404 votes, 28.98 percent
- Keith Pinkston – 168 votes, 12.05 percent
The runoff in this race will be between Moody and Dominy.
Pct. 1 constable
- Derek Wilkie – 383 votes, 25.35 percent
- Lonnie Thomas – 510 votes, 33.75 percent
- Rae Lynn Phillips – 618 votes, 40.90 percent
The runoff in this race will be between Phillips and Thomas.
Pct. 3 constable
- Pete Sparta – 308 votes, 22.40 percent
- Emmitt Lemar Eldridge II, 241 votes, 17.53 percent
- Dale Lowery – 202 votes, 14.69 percent
- Kevin Freed – 624 votes, 45.38 percent
The runoff in this race will be between Freed and Sparta.
None of the local races in San Jacinto County face Democratic challengers in the fall, so the winners in the races will be sworn in next January.
Amidst all the change, a common sentiment is being shared among the electorate — relief from the overwhelming barrage of political push cards inundating their mailboxes. The last few months witnessed an unprecedented inundation of messaging from political action committees and candidates, prompting a collective weariness among voters.
To see a closer view of all Liberty County races, click here: https://bluebonnetnews.com/2024/03/05/liberty-county-election-results-for-march-5-2024/
To see election results for San Jacinto County, click here: https://bluebonnetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/San-Jacinto-County-election-results-March-5-2024.pdf
Ernest served four terms, not two.
When it comes to the Sheriff race it was time for a change. I am a local of 20 years in San Jacinto and suffered under Sheriff Capers and was facing a similar situation with potential for certain death. The radios have always been a problem, even before Sheriff Capers term. My son has called dispatch on his personal cell phone when an officer was being threatened. Response time has also been a problem. Either one hour or not at all when calls were made. I was pegged as a “problem area and person.” Actually have been arrested and “In the interest of justice” released after 4 years of court appearances..
Guess I made a mistake by posting the above comment. Swat Sheriff just raided my home and arrested me. Retaliation? Yes, 73 YO taken our barefoot. Charges that I have no idea where or who they referred to. Had been working with ADA for a year on issues from a felon next door and it all got turned on me.. Hurry up 2025 cause there will be others facing the same thing… That has been the problem for most of later part of his term… Undercover and Swat. What happened to a simple protect and serve for local residents? Faced an 18 mile treck when release. Barefoot and in gown. What a nice thing to do to an old lady. I must say the SWAT officers were polite with exception of one very large man. They were respectful to me by taken care with my three dogs. Turning on a fan for them. Placing one outside , which I am sure they had to cause she was a biter. At least they did not shoot her. Thank You, Officers. I do have missing items which were not accounted for on their forms.
People will reap what they sow!!!
Why would an item not be accounted for on a search and seizure raid? Other plans for the property? A surprise is in store for the SO, drill the item, there is no MONEY in it or drugs.. Maybe keep sakes, baby teeth. Please contact citizens with items that are not property of the State of Texas. Thanks Since I was referred to as the “Infamous L____”, that is how I close this comment. A little disrespectful when a officer of the law uses names as characterization when someone is not convicted and even if that happens, TAGS should not be used when referencing a citizen. Looking forward to next election, other positions will have a new turn over. San Jacinto County deserves a good solid base because good things are coming and more citizens are moving to our area. Voters lets clean things up, Maybe not give second term to people in power now. Take time to look up who is in their first term.