Candidates on 3/1 Ballot Spoke at Republican Forum
The Texas Primary Election for Young County will be held March 1. Early voting is from Feb. 14 through Feb. 25. To assist voters in Olney with making an informed decision, the Young County Republicans hosted a candidate forum at the Olney Civic Center on Jan. 25.
Although all the candidates listed on the ballot did not attend the event, many candidates showed up to introduce themselves to residents of Olney and the surrounding communities. The candidates in attendance included Win Graham (County Judge), Scott Shook (County Commissioner Pct. 2), Joey Stewart (Justice of the Peace Pct. 3), Lonnie Wales (Justice of the Peace Pct. 3), Rob Ward (Young County Commissioner Pct. 4), Gary Franklin (State Rep. for HD 68), Mark Middleton (State Rep. for HD 68) and David Spiller (current State Rep. for HD 68).
Young County Republicans Chairman Kyle Milam opened the event and introduced the candidates. The unopposed candidate for County Judge, Graham Win, was the first to speak at the forum. Graham shared that he is married with three children and is a First United Methodist Church member. He said he has a long history of serving the community since his return home in 2005. A few goals Graham commented on were “to unify our courthouse, to improve the county’s relationships with cities to build stronger partnerships, to support economic development and to find ways to ensure that rural health care is sustainable and accessible for residents.”
Next to speak was Scott Shook, the candidate for County Commissioner Pct. 2. Shook shared that he has been married for 31 years and currently operates the Shook Paint and Body Shop that his dad started in 1989 and has years of experience in the oil field. In addition, he shared his stance on integrity influenced his more than 18 years in youth ministry and five years as a senior pastor.
“I want every decision that I make to be something that I will pray about,” Shook said before giving an example of him differentiating between business decisions and moral decisions. “Those are the kinds of decisions I will make as county commissioner.”
Milam then introduced Rob Ward, who is challenging Jim Wiley for Young County Commissioner Pct. 4. He began by offering insight into his background, including his eightyear marriage, seven children, and upbringing on a family farm between Newcastle and Olney. Ward explained how his experience—as a business owner, working on the oil rig, and his current job in road maintenance—would add value to his position as a county commissioner and having the ability to balance expertise and needs.
“If you’re a commissioner, you got to balance all the balls and put your best effort on all, and that’s what I plan to do. Taxpayer dollars should be used and distributed in the best way possible,” Ward said about the existing equipment budget as it relates to the miles claimed. “I’ll be able to listen to public concerns and act on those concerns, preserve, protect and provide for the needs of Young County. I will work to keep taxes low, and I will work with the county judge and other commissioners to make sound and effective decisions for the county.”
Following Ward was Joey Stewart, candidate for Justice of the Peace Pct. 3. He told the audience that he is not a public figure but touted his 16-year work history in law enforcement, stating he worked his way up from the bottom to criminal investigations and private instruction. Next, he talked about his goals.
“My goal is to have an open door. I think the JPs (Justice of the Peace) miss out on a lot. [As JP], I think we can affect the [children] in this community by going to the schools and making them aware of things like drugs,” Stewart said.
Stewart’s opponent for JP Pct. 3, Lonnie Wales, was the final local candidate to address the audience. He said he is a lifetime resident of Young County, has resided in Olney his entire life, has three grown children raised in Olney. Wales said in addition to his position as a deacon at First Baptist Church, he serves on the board at the Refuge and has been on several mission trips to Africa. Wales connected his reason for running for office with his dad, who taught him to be a man of integrity.
“I am concerned about the direction our country is going. My vision is to be fair, honest and serve with integrity.” The second half of the meeting was dedicated to the
The second half of the meeting was dedicated to the candidates for State Rep. HD 68. Below are highlights from their speeches:
David Spiller: “I am pleased to be able to keep Young County. I appreciate the support I got a year ago. I appreciate the vote. I appreciate the opportunity. And it has been a privilege and honor to serve you in Olney,” David Spiller said.
David Spiller is running for re-election as State Representative for HD 68. He briefly reiterated his background with more than 35 years in his family law practice that he operates with his sons, and 34 years as a city attorney in Jacksboro and general counsel to the hospital district for 31 years. Then he turned his focus to his record that includes authoring legislation to stop illegal immigration, cutting property taxes, and expanding rural broadband among other wins. He acknowledged support from Gov. Rick Perry and his NRA record.
Mark Middleton: “I’m running because the last several years I’ve been going around the state of Texas for various reasons. And everyone I’ve talked to is sick and tired of what’s going on not only in Texas, but also in the United States,” said Mark Middleton, Candidate for State Rep. HD68. He mentioned that he has earned two business degrees and a Master’s Degree in Theology and has been managing homeowner associations for the past seven years. Middleton said he is upset because things don’t get done in the legislative sessions, and that he would fight to get things done.
“The Republican Party of Texas, the platform has not changed, essentially, in the last 19 years. And you have to ask yourself, why? And that’s what I’m here to answer. I will fight for you. I will stand up and I will fight for those party values that all of us as conservatives, as Republicans have said, This is what we want you to do legislature, and yet they can’t do. So, I’m here to fight for that and get those things done.”
Gary Franklin: Gary Franklin, candidate for State Rep. for HD 68, placed a hard hat on the table at the beginning of his speech.
“I wanted the hardhat here to remind us that our founding fathers both international level and at the state level, envision a government that consisted of regular people that we will send off to Austin or Washington in that they would legislate and vote on our laws, and then they would return home and have to be accountable to the people as they were serving.”
Franklin’s primary political focus is on the border, water and education.