Local GOP candidates sound off in forum

Early primary voting to start next Tuesday

Republican candidates for county office sounded off during a public forum last week as voters prepare for the start of early voting next Tuesday, February 18.

Voters heard from all unopposed candidates first before the floor was turned over to candidates who are facing opposition with each of them given seven minutes to speak. With their statements and questions from those in attendance, most of the evening was given over to the four men running for county judge.

Randy Bond was the first candidate for judge to speak, calling himself a common man and a humble man. Bond, who is Donley County’s chief deputy, said he went to law enforcement after being raised in Wheeler by his grandparents and said he had promised his grandfather he would always treat people the way he wanted to be treated.

“I’ve dedicated my life to be a servant of the people and do the best I can to help people,” Bond said. “Your kids are my kids. I want to be your judge for the simple fact that I want to serve Donley County.”

Bond cited his career in law enforcement as being a good background for county judge; and during questions and answers, said he hopes to “think outside the box” to bring new ideas to the county.

“I won’t make you any promise that I can’t keep,” Bond said.

Dr. John Howard took the floor next and discussed his love for Donley County and the quality of life that drew him and his wife here. He talked about his current and past service to his country and his community and also discussed his business experience, particularly in starting a medical clinic here with three people and now employing 15.

Howard said his military background would assist him with the role the judge plays in cases of disasters in dealing with homeland security, and he said his law degree and being a member of the bar in Texas would be an asset in handling the legal and judicial duties of county judge.

“I would pledge to be impartial and fair,” Howard said. “I would bring my business experience and education to the table.”

During questions and answers, Howard said serving as county judge would not negatively impact his medical clinic, noting that he has a great deal of experience in managing his time and once took 26 college hours in two schools while seeing patients.

“I will be a full time judge and a part time doctor,” he said, noting that he would still see patients before 9 a.m., in the evenings, on Saturdays, or on holidays. Howard also plans to retire from the military this fall, which he says will also give him more time.

Gary Campbell was the next to speak. The retired environmental engineer and realtor talked about growing up in Donley County before pursuing his professional career and ultimately coming home to retire.

Campbell serves as Clarendon’s representative on the Greenbelt Water Authority board and said he believes there are conflicts between entities that are caused because different groups won’t share with each other.

“If we shared equipment and personnel, we could save hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Campbell said.

Campbell said he wants to do more with assets like US 287 and the college do develop the county and said he wants “total transparency” in county government.

Pressed for details during questions and answers, Campbell said he sees backhoes at the city, county, and college and wonders why the entities can’t share two or three backhoes. As another example, he said “county roads don’t need work unless it rains,” and county employees therefore don’t have anything to do while the city has to hire extra help.

Campbell also faced criticism from some members of the audience as a member of the water authority board and had to defend Greenbelt’s purchase of groundwater from the City of Clarendon.

Jack Craft rounded out the judicial candidates and talked about his family’s long history in Donley County, his education in economics and ranch management, and his view that good things are in store for the county.

“We have a lot of young well educated people in place to make things happen, and that’s exciting,” Craft said.

Craft said he was confident he would be comfortable with the business side of the judge’s job and said he had every confidence I can learn the other aspects of it. He also said that he loves to serve and cited his roles on the library board, as a past president of the Panhandle Livestock Association, on the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association board, and on the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation board.

In questions and answers, Craft elaborated that much of what the judge does has to follow straight forward guidelines and that a new judge can also seek advice from others.

The other contested race on this year’s Republican county ballot is for commissioner of Precinct 2, which features Mitchell Martin, Daniel Ford, and John Grady. Martin is retired from self-employment and ranching and said he believes the county is on the verge of new beginnings and wants to be a part of it. Ford is an Army veteran and self-employed in the backhoe business and said he wants to be in public service and that whoever is elected will get to help decide if Donley County keeps moving forward toward an exciting future. And John Grady said he has worked for the county for eight years and would like to see a big voter turnout this year.

The Republican candidates and audience gave a standing ovation to County Judge Jack Hall, a Democrat, who is retiring at the end of his present term.

Other GOP candidates at the forum were Pam Mason for Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand, Precinct 1 Commissioner Dan Sawyer, and County Treasurer Wanda Smith. County chairman Tom Stauder also encouraged people to write-in Katherine Williams to succeed him.

In the Democratic primary, the following local candidates are running: Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Connie Havens, Ricky Rattan for Precinct 4 Commissioner, and County/District Clerk Fay.

Early voting begins Tuesday, February 18 and runs through February 28. The primaries will be on March 4.