Incumbent Tarrant County commissioners carried the day in Tuesday's primaries, but a number of other county races appeared likely go to runoffs, according to unofficial election results.
For the Democrats, it was a contest of doppelgangers, at least in name: Incumbent Roy Charles Brooks was met by challenger Roy LaVerne Brooks for the nomination for the Precinct 1 seat on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.In the end, the name game didn't matter. Roy Charles Brooks overwhelmed his challenger handily, with 78 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns."I think that once people realized that the person that they knew, the person that they trusted, the person with record of service to their community was named Roy Charles, there was no longer any confusion," Brooks said.He said he would continue to concentrate on healthcare services, homeless initiatives and infrastructure for county residents.The other Brooks, a tutor and hospice chaplain, had made an issue of incumbent Brooks' 20 years of experience in county government and three terms on the Forest Hill City Council, saying that he had overstayed his welcome.Precinct 1 covers the largest area and is the most diverse of the four precincts in the county, ethnically and economically.In the Republican primary, incumbent Commissioner Gary Fickes defeated newcomer Craig Bickley for the Precinct 3 spot. Fickes received 60 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. A third candidate, Tina Marie Watson-Lawrence, received about 12 percent.Fickes, seeking his second term, had squared off with his opponent over transportation. Fickes compared Bickley to Libertarians like presidential candidate Ron Paul. Fickes said he ran on his record without negative campaigning."I won because I have a proven record of producing results as a county commissioner, working to improve transportation, economic development, healthcare," he said.GOP chairmanIn the race to lead the county Republican Party, interim Chairwoman Jennifer Hall narrowly defeated Bob McGrath, according to unofficial returns. McGrath, a former state district judge, lost by 501 votes.State district courtThe Republican contest for judge of the 153rd state district court is headed to a runoff between Fort Worth attorney Susan McCoy, who had 37 percent of the vote, and Mansfield attorney Tom Corbin, who had 35 percent, according to unofficial results. A third candidate, Kevin Carey, received 27 percent.Constable racesIn Republican constable races, three races are headed to runoffs.In the three-way Precinct 3 race, Jason L. McCaffity, a Godley police lieutenant, and Darrell Huffman, a Tarrant deputy constable, will meet again in July. McCaffity captured 43 percent of the vote and Huffman 38 percent.In the three-way Precinct 1 contest, former Haltom City Councilman Dale Clark will be in a runoff with Tommie Hathorn. Clark received 46 percent to Hathorn's 32 percent.In a three-way race for Precinct 6, Jon Siegel won 43 percent of the vote to Glen W. Bucy's 40 percent.,In the two-way Precinct 2 contest, David Woodruff wrapped up his bid for election with 76 percent of the vote.On the Democratic ballot for Precinct 8, Michael R. Campbell, who had 40 percent of the vote, will meet John E. Thompson, who had 36 percent, in a runoff.Darren Barbee, 817-390-7126Twitter: @DarrenBarbeeHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
