Edwin O. Ware, an employee with Bob Brock Ford, filed with Republican Party Chairman Margarita Durand-Hollis minutes before the deadline, making him the lone GOP candidate in the race.

“I ran for the office four years ago and came pretty close to winning,” said Ware. “A lot of people told me I should run again, and I figure I have a better chance this time around. I feel like I have some good input I can add to the commissioner’s court. I feel like I could really do some good.”

Ware said the fact that he’s the lone Republican candidate — automatically earning him a place on the November ballot — doesn’t change the way he plans to campaign.

“I still plan to get out there and start campaigning right away,” said Ware. “I want to get out there and let the voters know where I stand.”

The race between Democratic candidates Yolanda Mendoza and incumbent Emma Brown will be decided during the March primaries, but Ware’s decision to run will force the election to a November vote, too.

Brown defeated Mendoza in her last bid for re-election approximately four years ago.

Other races in Howard County failed to draw any last-minute attention from political hopefuls.

Sheriff Dale Walker filed to run for re-election on the Republican ticket, bringing his eight-year run with the Democratic party to a close. Walker will face Charles Morgan and Stan Parker in the March contest, with former HCSO deputy Pat Carter the lone candidate on the Democratic ticket.

In the race for the Precinct 3 seat on the commissioner’s court, nearly a half-dozen hopefuls have thrown their hats into the ring. Dick Dubose, who ran for the seat four years ago, is the lone Democratic candidate, automatically earning him a place on the November ballot. However, Steve Gray, Winston Paschal Odom, Jimmie Wayne Long and Fred Green will have to duke it out in March in hopes of winning the Republican nomination.

Incumbent William Crooker announced in late 2007 he would not seek re-election.

Howard County Constable Bill Holden has also filed to run for re-election on the Democratic ticket, and while he failed to draw a party opponent, Kneel B. Stallings has filed to challenge on the Republican card.

County Attorney Mike Thomas will run for re-election with the Democratic Party, drawing his only opponent in local attorney Joshua Hamby, who will run on the Republican ticket.

Howard County Tax Collector and Assessor Kathy Sayles and Justice of the Peace Bennie Green will both run for re-election on the Republican ticket. Neither race garnered an opponent.

Howard County District Attorney Hardy Wilkerson will also run for re-election, having filed with the state’s Republican office. Wilkerson failed to draw a challenger.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it