Now that Tuesday’s off-year election is over, it’s time to gear up for Election 2010, which means much to Palo Pinto County residents and elected officials.

Filing begins Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 30, and the primary election follows on Tuesday, March 2. But what’s in store for next year’s local ballot?

In 2006 eight Democrats were elected to offices and three Republicans, but that might change with the same 11 offices in 2010, especially with some incumbents possibly switching their party affiliation. At least one county Democrat plans to switch parties in 2010. For the past nine-and-a-half years Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Bobby Hart has been a Democrat, but that will change in 2010.

“I will be running under the Republican ticket,” Hart said. “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party [nationally] left me. I’m the same person who will be running; my thoughts and views have not changed.”

When asked what he stands for as a JP, he said, “I believe in going by the law, doing what the law says; doing the best job you can and staying within the law. I don’t believe in the good-old-boy system.”

“We understand hard times and being poor and try to work with anyone who comes in the office; if they’re willing to work with us, we’re willing to work with them,” Hart added. “I think we’ve done a good job and have the office where it needs to be.”

In addition to Hart’s announced switch, rumors abound that other Dems in office might switch their affiliation. Shortly after the Palo Pinto Republican Women’s lunch on Tuesday, an article appeared online by “Alamo City Pundit,” which was titled “Multiple Texas Democrats Set to Switch to Republican.”

The local significance of the article came from its statement that, in addition to Hart, “three other Palo Pinto County officials indicated an interest in switching parties.”

It’s still a wait-and-see process for the 2010 election since the filing deadline is almost two months away, but as of Friday, the Index heard about the following expected contested races:

County Clerk

• Incumbent Democrat Bobbie Smith confirmed she would file to hold her seat, but said she hasn’t made up her mind which ticket she will file under.

• Janette Green, deputy tax clerk in the County Tax Assessor-Collector office, announced she will challenge Smith as a Republican candidate and has submitted her preliminary paperwork for campaign treasurer.

Pct. 2 Commissioner

• Incumbent Ed Laney confirmed that he plans to run for a second four-year term as a Republican.

• Michael Horton, a former rodeo clown, said he intends to challenge Laney on the Republican ticket and is “working on the paperwork” for the election.

• Louis Ragle, of Graford, said he will probably file as a Republican challenger as well. Ragle owns Graford-based K&R; Tank Trucks, a saltwater tank company.

Pct. 4 Commissioner

• Incumbent Republican Jeff Fryer said he will run again.

• Challenger Lee Saunders, of Santo, has announced his intention to run as a Democratic challenger at the October Palo Pinto. Saunders is a county detention officer/road hand. He supervises Palo Pinto County jail road crew trusties for Precincts 1 and 3.

Pct. 2 JP

• Incumbent Jerry Mitchell has served as JP for 19 years as a Democrat. He said he will likely stay with the party. “It’s a little early to start campaigning," he said.

• Republican Shane Long said he completed his “campaign treasurer” paperwork Friday. A newcomer to the process, Long has served more than 13 years as pastor of Abundant Life Church in Graford. Prior to that, he worked for the Brazos River Authority as an instrument monitoring technician.

Other 2010 offices up for election are:

• County judge – Democrat Mike Smiddy hasn’t announced his candidacy. When asked if he would switch parties, Smiddy replied, “Until there are candidates, it’s not time to talk about party affiliation.”

• District clerk – incumbent Janie Glover said she intends to remain affiliated with the Democratic Party for her next run at a four-year term..

• County treasurer – Mary Motley is also running for re-election in 2010 and said she would not change her Democratic affiliation.

• All five justices of the peace are up for re-election. In addition to Hart and Mitchell, these include: Todd Baker, Precinct 1; Shawn Humphries, Precinct 3; and Charlie “Coppy” Hodgkins Jr., Precinct 4.