By Rick Phelps

Thursday evening, 19 local candidates running for local and area offices spoke before a crowd of more than 500 at the Brown County Republican Forum held at Victory Life Church. Precinct 1 candidates Gary Worley, Tommy Blevins, Bob Contreras and Jimmy Trowbridge were joined on stage by Precinct 3 candidates Wayne Shaw, Jessica Acker and Pat McLaughlin. All of the commissioner candidates spoke about the McKinstry contract which will see the building of a new elections office and treasurers building. The incumbents, Shaw and Worley stood by their decision to approve the contract while each of the other candidates said they would not have supported this decision as there were no other bids sought for the project.

Texas House District 60 candidates Kevin Downing and Mike Lang answered a variety of different questions including their stance on county clerks refusing to issue same sex marriage licenses. Lang, whose wife is the clerk in Hood County, refused to issue a same sex marriage license, said he stood by his wife, because the biblical definition of marriage is one man, one woman. Kevin Downing stated the point that needs to be focused upon is that those in leadership positions cannot choose what laws to follow and not to follow. Both candidates also agreed that they do not support school vouchers.

Senate District 24 candidates fielded several questions as well. Dawn Buckingham, Reed Williams, Jon Cobb, Susan King and Brent Mayes addressed issues ranging from border security to education. Ryan Downton, due to a personal emergency, was unable to attend the forum. All of the candidates agreed that to improve education, the focus needs to be placed on students and teachers and not on standardized test scores and buses. One question posed by an audience member asked each candidate if they had ever donated to the campaign of a democratic candidate. Each candidate said “no” to that question, with the exception of Williams, who said he has given money to democrats, liberals and republicans alike if he felt they were the best candidate for the job.

Sheriff candidates Billy Bloom, Vance Hill and Paul Lilly each answered an audience question which asked what they would do if the federal government which said guns needed to be taken from citizens. Each candidate said that would not happen if they were put in that situation. Each candidate also addressed if outside issues and interests would take their focus away from giving the sheriff position their full attention. All three said there focus would be on the department. Lilly did however say he would maintain his teaching position at Howard Payne University because the position does not require as much time as many perceive.

The final two candidates of the evening to address the crowd were district attorney candidates Micheal Murray and Bill Ruth. Both candidates said they would establish and maintain relationships necessary to ensure the district attorney’s office runs to the highest of efficiency. The two spent much of their time on stage in a back and forth related to allegations of drug use in the courthouse. In the end, Ruth acknowledged he does not have the criminal law experience of Murray, but would surround himself with attorneys who do that that type of experience, while Murray asked the crowd to remember his experience and what he has already done while serving as district attorney. The next candidate forum will be a joint effort of the Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce on February 19th at the Brownwood Country Club. This forum will be for the candidates running for a seat on the county commission.