Six contested races in Leon County elections

The deadline for the March 2 primary election has come and gone leaving Leon County with six contested races. The following candidates will square off in the March 2 Republican Primary election:

Mark A. Matthews of Centerville will challenge incumbent Leon County Judge Byron Ryder of Buffalo.

County Clerk Carla McEachern will not seek reelection. Opponents in that race are deputy clerk Christie Wakefield of Centerville and Lois Milstead of Normangee.

Another race where the incumbent will not be returning is the County Treasurer. Vying for that post is Brandi S. Hill of Centerville and Karen Broach of Midway.

Incumbent Dean Player from Hilltop Lakes will run against Jerry Grimes of Marquez, for Precinct # 4 County Commissioner.

Reggie Harris of Marquez will oppose incumbent Doug Preston for Justice of the Peace in Precinct #4.

Republican County Commissioner for Precinct #2, David Ferguson of Buffalo finds himself with a Democrat opponent, Gregory Smith of Oakwood.

Candidates who are running unopposed are:

District Clerk incumbent Republican Diane Oden Davis of Leona; Justice of the Peace, Precinct # 1, Democrat Lori Reid of Buffalo; Justice of the Peace, Precinct # 2 Republican Jack Keeling of Centerville; and Republican County Chair Karen Preston of Hilltop Lakes.

In another interesting race, Leon County’s Marva Beck has thrown her hat in the ring to oppose State Representative Jim Dunnam, whose district includes Leon, McLennan, Falls, Robertson and Madison Counties.

Candidates for Senate District 5, which includes Leon County, are incumbent Steve Ogden and challenger Ben Bius.