Some Old, Some New Faces Appear on Political Horizon

By Gloria Way

  Monday, December 8^th, was the deadline for any interested person to sign up to run for an elected office in Chambers County. The primary for both Democrats and Republicans will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and the winner of the primary in each party will face off as their party nominees on Tuesday, November 3^rd. Chambers County is a deep red county, and no Democrat has signed up to run in any county races. So, the winner of the GOP primary in March for county offices will be the winner in the November election by default. State and federal races will have both a Democrat and Republican candidate in each respective race.

 A new administration will be taking over Chambers County on January 1, 2027. History will be made when current Pct 4 Commissioner Ryan Dagley walks into the office of County Judge on January 1, 2027. After serving 27 years as county judge and being the longest serving county judge in the state of Texas, Jimmy Sylvia will be retiring. No one signed up to run against Dagley. Dagley is seen as a leader with extensive knowledge of infrastructure projects and working with both industry and the people to accomplish the goals of Chambers County. He has been touted as a future county judge since he took office as commissioner in 2023.

  Political newcomer Nathan Watkins of Cove, Texas, is forcing incumbent State Representative Terri Leo Wilson (HD23), Galveston, Texas in the GOP primary. It will be a battle between Chambers County and Galveston County to see who will represent HD 23 in the Texas legislature. Leo Wilson is seeking a third term.

  The Pct. 4 Commissioner race will be an interesting one. Since the current commissioner is Ryan Dagley who is the presumed County Judge-elect, it is an open seat. Two former holders of the Pct 4 Commissioner seat, Bill Wallace and Rusty Senac are vying to retake their old job. Wallace was a two-term commissioner when Senac beat him in the primary in 2009. Senac retired after two terms and former commissioner Billy Combs beat Wallace in the primary to replace Senac. When Combs chose not to seek reelection, Dagley beat Wallace in the primary to replace Combs. Now that Dagley will be county judge, both Senac and Wallace seek to be his replacement.

  In other local races, incumbent Justice of the Peace Pct. 5 David Hatfield is facing two challengers. Former constable Brad Moon and Cindy Wallace Davis are running to oust Hatfield. Hatfield is seeking his third term.

  Several candidates have signed up for the Justice of the Peace Pct 6 position. The position is currently held by Larry Cryer who has held the position for over 40 years. Cryer is not seeking reelection. The candidates are Amanda Cordell, Jimmy Wade Smith, and James Moss.

  Also, Liberty attorney Josh Fitzgerald filed to run against incumbent Judge Chap Cain, 253^rd District Court.