Commissioners appoint Hatley as new JP

Donley County Commissioners appointed Sarah Hatley as the new Justice of the Peace for Precincts 1&2 during a called meeting last Tuesday, May 31.

Hatley sealed her party’s nomination to be the Republican candidate for the JP position a week earlier. With no Democratic opponent in the November General Election, Hatley is the de facto winner of the office. The JP’s position has been vacant since former judge Pam Mason resigned late last year.

Precinct 3&4 JP Pat White had been covering the duties of the vacant position before commissioners decided last week to go ahead and appoint Hatley so she can get started in her new position.

Hatley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dan Sawyer won their election bids when Donley County Republicans cast ballots Tuesday, May 24.

In a run-off election, Hatley beat Connie Lane, 107-87, to be her party’s candidate for Justice of the Peace in Precincts 1&2. Hatley and Lane had been the top vote earners in a four-woman race for the position in the March 1 primary.

In Precinct 4, Sawyer defeated challenger Brad Dalton 58-43 in a re-vote of the March 1 primary.

Voter registration irregularities cast doubt on the original election with both men ultimately agreeing that a new election was in order and the district court agreed.

Sawyer also faces no opponent in the November election.