Voting underway for March Primary





Early voting for Texas 2014 Primary Elections began yesterday and runs through February 28. The Primary Election date is March 4th.

Across Texas, voters will go to the polls to cast votes in one of the most important primary elections in a while. While there are U.S. Senator and House of Representative races as well as Governor, Lt. Governor and Commissioner and Justice seats to fill across Texas, locally, Atascosa residents will decide who will be on the November ballot in several contested races.

Republican Primary

In the Republican Primary, two candidates – Bob Hurley and Catherine “Cat” Rodriguez Brown – are running for the Atascosa County Judge’s seat. Judge Diana Bautista chose not to seek re-election.

Other contested races are for the Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1 between Michael Pascarella and Debra Ann Herrera. Incumbent Texas Moore is being challenged by Marian P. Knowlton for the Republican Atascosa County Chairman. Vying for Precinct No. 17 Chairman are Carolina George and write-in candidate Virginia Estrada. Bill Schuchman is challenging incumbent Jimmie Lee Davis for Precinct No. 18 Chairman.

Democratic Primary

Three candidates in the Democratic Primary –Trent Rowell, Carrie Moy and Sylvia Rodriguez – are vying for their place on the ballot as District Judge for the 218th District which is being vacated by longtime Judge Stella Saxon.

The next contested race is for Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1. Hector Xavier Moreno is running against incumbent Betty Caballero.

Referenda/Propositions

There are four referenda items on the Democratic Primary ballot and six on the Republican Primary ballot.

Democratic Referenda

•ON IMMIGRATION REFORM- The United States Congress must pass immigration reform; including an earned path to citizen- ship for those individuals contributing to the economy and the dependents of those individuals.

•A LIVING WAGE FOR ALL TEXANS – Congress should pass legislation raising the federal minimum wage to at least 110% of the federal poverty level for a family of four without exception.

•MEDICAID EXPANSION -The Governor and the Texas Legislature should accept federal funds, as provided in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act of 2010, for the expansion of Medicaid to provide coverage to millions of uninsured and underinsured Texans.

•ON NON-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION- The Congress and the Texas Legislature should adopt legislation that expands protections against discriminations in employment, housing, and public accommodations based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.

Republican Propositions

•RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – Texans should be free to express their religious beliefs, including prayer, in public places.

•SECOND AMENDMENT – Texas should support Second Amendment liberties by expanding locations where concealed handgun licenseholders may legally carry.

•FRANCHISE TAX -Texas should abolish the state franchise tax, also known as the margins tax, to encourage business growth.

•WELFARE REFORM – Texas recipients of taxpayerfunded public assistance should be subject to random drug testing as a condition of receiving benefits.

•NO LAWMAKER EXCEPTIONS – All elected officials and their staff should be subject to the same laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances as their constituents.

•OBAMACARE – The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” should be repealed.

Where to vote

Voters may cast their ballot at the Atascosa County Election Administrator’s Office located at 914 Main St., Jourdanton,TX.

Early voting hours are:

8 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday- Friday. They will also be open from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. on Saturday, February 22.

Please see the candidates who participated in the Election Guide on pages 8A and 9A, plus a list of the polling



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