Burnet County incumbents win primary elections
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Incumbent County Judge James Oakley (left) Oakley defeated challenger Doak Field on March 1 as Oakley tallied more than 60 percent of the vote during the contest. Incumbent Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery defeated challenger Harold A. Hudson Jr. as he captured more than 84 percent of the vote. Raymond V. Whelan/Bulletin -
On election night, Burnet County Judge James Oakley and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery watched as the latest figures rolled in from the GOP election night headquarters at the Reed Building in Burnet on March 1. Raymond V. Whelan/Bulletin
Burnet County Judge James Oakley and County Commissioner Precinct 4 Joe Don Dockery won their Republican Party primary elections for their respective offices March 1.
Since neither Oakley nor Dockery, both incumbents, will confront Democratic Party candidates later this year, they are assured of re-election this November.
Thus, Oakley is re-elected to a third term as judge. Dockery will return as county commissioner precinct 4 for a fifth term.
Oakley defeated challenger Doak Field as Oakley tallied more than 60 percent of the vote during the contest.
“I think I won the race because of my experience and positive things which have happened in Burnet County while I have served as county judge, as well as during the time I served as a county commissioner,” Oakley said.
Dockery defeated challenger Harold A. Hudson Jr. as he captured more than 84 percent of the vote.
“I think I won because of my service for the county during the past 15 years, what we have been able to accomplish during that time and what our goals are for the next 15 years,” Dockery said.
As well during the primary election last Tuesday, County Commissioner Precinct 2 Damon Beierle won his race against no opposition. Like Oakley and Dockery, Beierle will face no opposition during the November election.
Kara Chasteen won the Republican Party chair election with no opposition.
Other Republican primary victors without opponents this November include County Treasurer Carrie Crownover, District Clerk Casie Walker, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Roxanne Nelson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Lisa Whitehead and Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Debra Bindseil.
Other Republican primary results show Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Jane Marie Hurst narrowly defeated Jeff Sellers with more than 53 percent of the vote.
Cody Henson defeated Angela Dowdle with more than 61 percent of the vote for County Court at Law.
For County Clerk, Deputy Clerk Vicinta Stafford edged above Sara Luther with more than 52 percent of the vote.
Several local officials and supporters waited for the primary election returns during the Republican “watch party” in Burnet at the Reed Building, 402 E. Jackson St., including Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd, County Commissioner Precinct 1 Jim Luther, District Attorney (33rd & 424th districts) Wiley B. “Sonny” McAfee, Granite Shoals Municipal Judge Frank Reilly and Granite Shoals Associate Municipal Judge Seth Smith.
Other Republican candidates who attended the party included Abhiram Garapati for U.S. House of Representatives Texas District 31, Sara Luther and Ellen Troxclair for Texas House of Representatives District 19.
Former County Judge David Kithil and his wife Lorna attended also attended the party.
Find more photos and interviews in the Wednesday, March 9 issue of the Bulletin.