PALO PINTO COUNTY – Filing for the 2010 election has closed, the race is on and there will be change – even in local unopposed contests.

The count after Monday evening’s filing deadline has 13 Republicans running in 10 races, five Democrats running in five races and one independent candidate.

Change will come in some offices despite uncontested races partly because a handful of elected officials ditched their Democratic Party affiliation to file as Republicans.

On Thursday, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Todd Baker and District Clerk Janie Glover, currently seated as Democrats, filed to run for another term as Republicans. Glover told the Index in December that she intended to remain affiliated with the Democratic Party for the 2010 election.

Their switch leaves a hole on the Democratic side of the ticket, which can’t be filled since filing closed at 6 p.m. Monday.

Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Bobby Hart gave each party, and the public, more notice by announcing his intention to run as a Republican by filing on the first possible day in early December.

Democrats will lose another seat without contest next November. Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Jerry Mitchell announced last week that he will not seek another term, but will retire at the end of the year after serving 20 years. Two Republican newcomers – Shane Long and Johnny Kevin McKee – will square off on March 2 to attempt to grab Mitchell’s seat.

Drawing a crowd
The only other contest at the local primary election will be for Precinct 2 Commissioner, a three-way affair where two Republican challengers will challenge Republican incumbent Ed Laney. On March 2, Laney will face off against Michael Horton and Louis Ragle.

But, there’s a new twist to the Precinct 2 Commissioner’s race. Despite no Democratic challenger, the seat will still be contested in the Nov. 2 general election. The winner of the Republican primary election will face independent candidate Richard A. DeLaughter, of Graford. DeLaughter filed his “declaration of intent to run as an independent candidate” as Precinct 2 Commissioner last week with County Judge Mike Smiddy.

Although Judge Smiddy considered changing parties, he will remain a Democrat as he vies to hold his seat against a Republican challenger and newcomer, David Nicklas, of Graford, in the November election.

Two other seated Palo Pinto County Democrats will also see Republican challengers in November. Republican Janette Green filed to take on incumbent Bobbie Smith for county clerk and Republican Tanya Fallon, who served as a Democratic county treasurer in the past, will challenge County Treasurer Mary Motley to assume the role again.

New to Palo Pinto County politics is Lee Saunders, who will run as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Jeff Fryer for Precinct 4 Commissioner.

The only uncontested race for Democrats is Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Lifelong Strawn resident Charlie “Coppy” Hodgkins Jr. will run unopposed for another term. Having served since 1979, 30-year veteran Hodgkins has been told by the Justice of the Peace Courts office that he’s currently the longest sitting JP in the state of Texas.

Likewise, Republican Shawn Humphries will not see a challenger in March or November for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 and he has not changed his affiliation from the “one that brung him.”

Here is the anticipated lineup for Palo Pinto County’s 2010 mid-term elections (an * indicates the current officeholder):

County Judge
• Mike Smiddy* (Dem.)
• David Nicklas (Rep.)

District Clerk
• Janie Glover* (Rep.)

County Clerk
• Bobbie Smith* (Dem.)
• Janette Green (Rep.)

County Treasurer
• Mary Motley* (Dem.)
• Tanya Fallon (Rep.)

County Commissioner
Precinct 2
• Ed Laney* (Rep.)
• Michael Horton (Rep.)
• Louis Ragle (Rep.)
• Richard A. DeLaughter (independent)

County Commissioner
Precinct 4
• Jeff Fryer* (Rep.)
• Lee Saunders (Dem.)

Justice of the Peace
Precinct 1
• Todd Baker* (Rep.)

Justice of the Peace
Precinct 2
• Shane Long (Rep.)
• Johnny Kevin McKee (Rep.)

Justice of the Peace
Precinct 3
• Shawn Humphries* (Rep.)

Justice of the Peace
Precinct 4
• Charlie “Coppy” Hodgkins Jr.* (Dem.)

Justice of the Peace
Precinct 5
• Bobby Hart (Rep.)