Texas County voters will elect party nominees for several offices during a Primary Election today.
Texas County Clerk Don Troutman predicts 35 percent turnout at precincts.
Races to become state representative, county assessor and county sheriff have generated the most interest leading up to the election.
Four persons are competing to replace Rep. Don Wells, R-Cabool, who can’t run again because of term limits. Wells is seeking a promotion as the area’s state senator.
Contending to replace Wells are: Don Bordwell, Plato; Chris Purvis, Houston; Robert Ross, Eunice; and Ted Sheppard, Cabool. They are Republicans.
Wells’ opposition is State Rep. Ward Franz of West Plains and former Rep. Mike Cunningham of Rogersville. They are Republicans.
The victors of the House and Senate races have no Democratic opposition in November.
There is a three-way race for the Republican nomination for Texas County sheriff. Candidates are: Wes Ellison of Willow Springs, James Sigman, Cabool; and Tim Ceplina, Houston. The winner faces Lt. Melissa Dunn, a Houston Democrat, in the fall. The incumbent, Carl Watson, is not seeking re-election.
Jeff Breedlove of Licking is challenging incumbent Linda Garrett of Licking for her District No. 2 seat. The winner opposes Ron Kramer of Raymondville, a Democrat, in November for a four-year term.
District No. 1 Commission John Casey, a Houston Republican, will oppose Rose Ward of Houston, a Democrat, in the fall.
Kevin McGowen of Houston is challenging Assessor Debbie James of Solo for her job. The winner has no opposition in the fall.
A Texas County man, Bob Parker of Raymondville, is challenging U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau in the Republican Primary. The winner will oppose Jack Rushin of Poplar Bluff.
A full slate of state races also is on ballot. The most interest appears to be in the Republican Primary for U.S. Senate. The top contenders are: Sarah Steelman of Rolla, John Brunner of St. Louis and Todd Akin of Pacific. The winner opposes U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of St. Louis.
The county’s 17 townships will elect committeemen and committeewomen for the two main political parties.
Matchups in the fall:
Bill Hickle, a Rolla Republican, against Colin Long, a Waynesville Democrat, for circuit judge. Both are associate circuit judges in the 25th Circuit, where Tracy Storie of Waynesville is retiring.
Public Administrator Theresa Campbell of Cabool, a Democrat, will be challenged by Connie Thompson, a Cabool Republican.
Collector-Treasurer Tammy Cantrell, a Democrat from Houston, is opposed by Republican Jack Hines of Willow Springs, in the fall.
Running unopposed for offices are Chuck Manier of Houston, a Republican, for county surveyor; and Texas County Coroner Thomas Whittaker of Cabool, a Democrat.
Watch election returns tonight at www.houstonherald.com and on the Herald’s information seen in Houston, Raymondville and Licking households on cable.