Candidate filing begins for March primaries
The March primary filing date for candidates in both the Democratic and Republican parties began Thursday.
With the March primary election three months away candidates planning to run for county, state and federal seats have through Jan. 4, 2010 to file for a place on designated party ballots.
Frank Morris, the Republican Party chairman in Cameron County, on Thursday said he doesn’t know how many candidates are expected to register with the party. However, he said that any candidate planning to file for a place on the ballot should first file the name of their campaign treasurer with the county’s Elections and Voter Registration Office. Before a candidate can begin holding campaign fundraisers, state law requires he or she appoint a campaign treasurer.
From all indications Morris will have at least one Republican candidate that being Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos, who will seek re-election.
Gilberto Hinojosa, the Democratic Party chairman, said at least three candidates filed with the party on Thursday. With numerous candidates running for county commission seats and at least three "suspected" candidates running for county judge he expects the number of filings will continue to grow.
"We’ve got a full slate of candidates. We are excited about the elections," Hinojosa said.
One candidate, who has publicly announced he is running for county judge, is former Brownsville Mayor Eddie Treviño. In a paid advertisement, Brownsville resident Rebecca Gomez has also announced her intentions to seek the county judge position.
Another county position that has about a half-dozen candidates is commissioner for Cameron County Precinct 2. Commissioner John Wood, who has not said if he will run for re-election, currently holds the seat.
There are several other county positions that will be on the March 2 primary ballot. They include commissioner for Precinct 4, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer, and all county court-at-law positions. Also on the ballot are the justices of the peace seats for Precinct 1, Precinct 2, Place 2, Precinct 3, Place 2, Precinct 4, Precinct 5, Place 2 and Precinct 6.
Some state positions up for election are the state district judgeships for the 103rd, 107th, 197th and 357th courts and state representative seats for Districts 37, 38, and 43.
Federal seats on the ballot include a position for U.S. senator and House of Representatives seats for Districts 15 and 27.
A complete list of all positions on the March 3 primary ballot can be found on the Cameron County Elections and Voter Registration Web site.
