The filing period for the March 3, 2026, primary election opened on Nov. 8, 2025, giving candidates one month to submit their applications to appear on the ballot. All filings must be received by 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, including those from individuals seeking precinct chair positions, who are required to file directly with their party’s county chair.
The Liberty County Republican Party has several in-person filing opportunities before the deadline. The next will take place Thursday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Generations Coffee Shop, 1806 Sam Houston St. in Liberty. Another event is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, during the party’s quarterly meeting at 6 p.m. at the Jack Hartel Building, 318 San Jacinto St., Liberty. On deadline day, Dec. 8, the party will accept filings from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Hartel Building.
Democratic filings to date
Two Democratic candidates have filed so far. Michael Mark has filed to run for Liberty County Democratic Chair, and Valorie Barton has filed to run for Texas House District 18. Barton’s filing places her in a race against Republican incumbent Janis Holt, who is seeking another term.
Republican filings to date
On the Republican side, several candidates filed as soon as the window opened. Those who have submitted their paperwork include Gregory Arthur for Commissioner Pct. 2; James “Jimmy” Belt and Robert Adams for Justice of the Peace Pct. 2; Kim Harris for County Treasurer; Jay Knight for County Judge; John Headrick for Commissioner, Pct. 4; Ralph Fuller for Justice of the Peace Pct. 6; Christopher Brant Elliott for Commissioner Pct. 4; Larry Wilburn for Justice of the Peace Pct. 4; Stephen Herbert for Justice of the Peace Pct. 1; Cody Parrish for Justice of the Peace Pct. 3; Thomas “Tommy” Chambers for Liberty County Court at Law; Michelle Mangum-Merendino for District Court Judge, 75th District; Zachary Zbranek for District Court Judge, 75th District; and Jacob Allen Mullins for Commissioner Pct. 2.
Offices not yet filed for
Some offices remain without filings. District Clerk Delia Sellers has decided not to seek reelection. No candidates have signed up for that seat at the time this article posted. County Clerk Lee Haidusek Chambers, a Republican, has not yet filed for reelection. Chambers told Bluebonnet News that she is still deciding if she will run for reelection for county clerk or seek another seat. Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 Wade Brown, also a Republican, told Bluebonnet News he intends to announce his decision on Dec. 1. The seat for 253rd State District Judge, currently held by Judge Chap Cain, is up for reelection, as is the seat of County Surveyor.
Staggered county election cycles
Liberty County’s election structure is intentionally staggered so that major offices do not appear on the ballot in the same year. Commissioners court seats alternate between cycles, with Precincts 1 and 3 elected together and Precincts 2 and 4 elected together two years later. All constables were elected in 2024. As a result, the 2026 ballot will include all justice of the peace positions, which follow a similar staggered structure.
75th District Court race drawing interest
The race for Judge of the 75th State District Court is already shaping up to be competitive. Judge Jan Michelle Mangum-Merendino, who was appointed in 2025 to fill the unexpired term of former Judge Mark Morefield, must now run to keep the seat. Republicans Glenn Williams, J.D. Chandler, and Zach Zbranek had previously indicated they planned to run; however, on the first day of filing, only Mangum-Merendino and Zbranek submitted applications.
New Congressional District 9 race in limbo
A handful of candidates are also positioning themselves for the newly created U.S. Congressional District 9, a district established during the state’s recent redistricting cycle. However, the race remains uncertain while the courts determine whether the district’s boundaries are valid.
A three-judge panel ruled on Nov. 18 that Texas may not use its revised congressional map for the 2026 election and must instead revert to the map approved in 2021. The decision is already being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it is expected the ruling may be overturned.
Despite the legal uncertainty, several candidates have announced their intentions to run for the new District 9 seat. Republicans Briscoe Cain, Alexandra Mealer, and Dwayne Stovall have declared their candidacies, while Peter Filler is seeking the Democratic nomination.
State Senate District 3 open seat
Another significant race on the 2026 ballot will be for Texas Senate District 3, where longtime Senator Robert Nichols has announced he will not seek reelection. Two Republicans—Trent Ashby and Rhonda Ward—have stepped forward to run for the open seat.
More filings are expected as the Dec. 8 deadline approaches.
Commissioner Pct. 4 also has John Headrick signed up as a candidate.
John is wonderful and strong candidate that will bring common sense to the table.
Does any Republican in Liberty County feel good about the 2025 map and being moved into voting with East Harris Co.?