Strong primary turnout in Dickens, Kent counties

Election turnout in Dickens County, according to acting district clerk Danay Carnes. was extraordinarily
high for a primary, following a robust period of early voting.
“This was much higher than we usually see in an election like this for early voting,” Carnes said. “We had
50 votes Friday alone. Typically, we’ll only see about 100 early votes total.”
After polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, two contended Republican primary races ha been decided in Dickens
County and one will go to a May 24 runoff.
For Dickens County justice of the peace Arlene Abernathy, who took 184 votes, and Patti Hagar, with 192,
are headed for a runoff. Also on the ballot was Matt McArthur, with 87 votes.
For precinct 2, incumbent Mike Smith held his set, with 192 votes to challenger David Baxter’s 79.
For precinct 4, incumbent Jerry Alexander will lose his seat by a narrow margin of 48 votes to challenger
Greg Arnold’s 53.
In uncontested races, county judge Kevin Brendle received 368 votes, Brandi Abbott reecived 382 for
treasurer, and Danay Carnes received 382 for county clerk.
In the 7th Court of Appeals District, Place 4, incumbent Larry Doss received 306 votes in the county.
District Judge in the 100th District Court incumbent William P. “Bill’ Smith, also unopposed, received 339
votes in the county.
In Kent County, according to county clerk Craig Harrison, a turnout of nearly 200 voters in the small
county, with paper ballots being tallied by hand, results in the Republican primary were still not available by 1
a.m. Wednesday.
At stake are contested primaries in the county judge slot after Jim C. White announced he would not seek
re-election; a five-way race for the county commisioners’ post held for many years by Don Long; a county
treasurer contest; and a justice of the peace race.
The Texas Spur will post results of these races on social media as soon as information becomes
available.