Filing for Stephens County offices ends with three competitive races
When the deadline for filing for county offices in the March 2026 primary elections ended at 6 p.m. yesterday, Monday, Dec. 8, there were three contested local races.
According to the county clerk’s office, the county judge position has two candidates in the Republican primary, County Commissioner-Precinct 4 has two Republican candidates, and the constable position has two Republican candidates. There is one independent candidate who has filed an intention to run for the county judge’s office.
Locally, the offices up for election include County Judge, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, Constable, County Commissioner-Precinct 2, County Commissioner-Precinct 4, District Clerk, and the Republican and Democratic Chairs. Every local candidate who filed to run is running as a Republican, except the one independent bid for county judge.
The following candidates filed their paperwork with the County Clerk’s office by Monday’s deadline:
County Judge
Will Thompson and Bacel Cantrell filed as Republican candidates for county judge. Current County Judge Michael Roach announced earlier this year that he does not plan to seek re-election.
Melissa Baker filed a declaration of intent to run as an independent and also submitted her campaign treasurer paperwork to the county, appointing Rhonda Hisey of Weatherford as her campaign treasurer. Since independent candidates do not participate in the primary, she will file with the state later in the year and will not appear on the primary ballot.
County Commissioner Precinct 4
There are two candidates who filed to run in the Republican primary for the County Commissioner Precinct 4 position. Incumbent Tanner Wade has filed for re-election in Precinct 4, and he is being challenged by Donald H. Perry.
Constable
Two candidates are running for constable: Justin Shockley and current Constable Brian McBride.
County Clerk
County Clerk Jackie Ensey is running for re-election.
County Treasurer
County Treasurer Kelsey Cornwall is running for re-election.
Justice of the Peace
Steve Spoon is running for re-election as Justice of the Peace.
County Commissioner Precinct 2
County Commissioners Mark McCullough, Precinct 2, is running for re-election.
District Clerk
District Clerk Stephanie Elder is running for re-election.
County Republican Chair
County Republican Chair Scott Harris has filed for re-election. County Democratic chair Tom Thompson did not file for re-election, and no other candidates filed for the position.
