Republicans and Democrats went to the polls on Tuesday, May 24, to make their parties’ final selections in primary runoff races for the November general election.
Two ballot positions and de facto November winners were decided within Parker County. One race was still undecided at press time.
In the Republican race for Pct. 2 Commissioner, Jacob Holt outpolled Joe W. Harris, 2,309-1,541, to claim that seat because there will be no Democrat on the ballot in November.
Likewise, Tim Mendolia will become the new Justice of the Peace Pct. 4, drawing 2,458 votes to opponent Allison Bedore’s 2,011.
“Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters,” Bedore said in accepting the loss. “The outpouring of messages and calls since last night have been uplifting and inspiring. Your faith and confidence in me means everything.”
The race for County Commissioner Pct. 4 was too close for either candidate to either declare victory or concede. Mike Hale ended the night with 2,358 votes to Eric Contreras’ 2,312, a difference of 46 votes — less than one percent.
According to the Parker County Elections office, there was one ballot by mail that will be processed if the ballot board accepts it. In addition, there were seven defective mail ballots that could still be corrected by May 31, and another eight provisional ballots that will be reviewed on June 1.
Neither candidate wanted to comment on the race pending the review of the ballots.
In the heated race for State Representative District 60, Palo Pinto County carried the day to push Glenn Rogers to victory over challenger Mike Olcott, who took the majority of Parker County votes.
Districtwide, Rogers outpolled Olcott 9,261 to 8,509. Olcott carried Parker County by 1,124 votes, but Rogers carried Palo Pinto by 1,429 votes, and Stephens county by 447 votes.
In Parker County Olcott had 7,383 votes to Rogers’ 6,259.
“We’re happy to see that we won the race,” Rogers said. “It was a very difficult, hard fought race — maybe the ugliest race I’ve ever seen. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a dirtier campaign and we’re just happy for it to be over and glad that we won and thank the voters for for making the right decision to elect me to go back to Austin.”
The Community News invited comments from Mike Olcott and Tim Mendolia, but did not receive a response by press time.
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