Elections are far from over with the recent state and two Orange County contested seats that saw winners with David Peck for justice of the peace, Precinct 3; and Percy Flanigan to go up against Jody Crump in November for commissioner, Precinct 4.

Monday’s filing deadline for cities and school boards saw several contested positions.

In early voting and final box tallies for Orange County’s two contested races in Tuesday’s primary election, it appears that Democrat Percy Flanigan will face Republican and former Pine Forest Mayor Jody Crump for the Precinct 4 commissioner’s seat in November.

As winner of Tuesday’s primary, Flanigan unseated incumbent Commissioner Beamon Minton.

An e-mail being circulated that could mislead some voters got the attention of Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Carter.

Orange County Republican Party Acting Chairwoman Patricia Kemp said she has spoken with Carter about it, and was unaware of the e-mail prior to their conversation.

Andrea White, wife of former Houston Mayor Bill White, is pictured with Mark Carter, Orange County Democratic Party chairman.

Orange County Democratic Party chairman Mark Carter announced Tuesday that Democratic primary candidates drew for placement on the March ballot.

Contested seats are justice of the peace for Precinct 1 (Michael Abbott, attorney; Joel Ardoin, OC environmental health and code compliance director; and David Peck, DOT regulations manager)

Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux, the longest sitting judge in Orange County history, filed this week for an unprecedented fifth term.

Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Janice Menard wants to continue in a third term and will run in the March primaries on the Democratic ballot.

[Note: the Winfree Baptist Church location is incorrect. That address should be: Bridge City Public Works Building, 220 Nitsche St., Bridge City.]

A Texas constitutional amendment election is set for Nov. 3. The public is encouraged to be informed on the issues.
Early voting times for Orange County are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20-25, and Oct. 27-31 for the following locations:

• Orange Public Library, 220 N. Fifth St.
• Winfree Baptist Church, 19525 Texas 62.
• First Baptist Church, 11540 Texas 12, Mauriceville.
• Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne St., Vidor.

Early voting began Monday for the May 9 election, seeing opposition in Bridge City, Orange and Pinehurst council races; and mayoral contests in Pine Forest and Vidor. West Orange saw no opposition.

Three trustees are up for re-election on the Bridge City school board – Rebecca Rutledge, Place 3; Thad Hill, Place 4; and Jerry McInnis, Place 5. Board terms are for three years. 

Hill and McInnis are finishing up their first term, while Rutledge is in her 13th year on the board. Their terms expire May 8.

State Rep. Joe Deshotel endorsed Houston Mayor Bill White as the best choice for the state’s next governor.

Monday was the deadline to file for March primary elections, with contested seats being justice of the peace for Precinct 1 and commissioner, Precinct 4.

Orange County Democratic Party chairman Mark Carter said late filings include two for the Precinct 4 commissioners’ seat by challenger Percy Flanigan and incumbent Beamon Minton.

Joel Ardoin has announced his candidacy on the Democratic ticket for Orange County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.

Texas voters went to the polls Tuesday to vote on amendments to the Texas Constitution. 

Unofficial statewide results, at presstime with 95.21 percent of the votes reported, are as follows. Results were provided by the Texas Secretary of State and Orange County Elections Administration offices.

For the city of Bridge City, out of 5,232 registered voters, 120 voted early with an additional 154 marking their ballot on Election Day. With less than a 5-percent voter turnout, incumbents came out on top in each city council race.

Dorothy Brandon received an extra surprise this week about her trip to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.