A contested race for Taylor County judge has emerged, while turnover in other areas of the countyhas put new nameson the ballot for the March party primaries.
Filings indicate change iscoming in several areas, including the position of county clerk and several justice of the peace slots.
The position of county judge, held by Downing Bolls since 2010,will see a two-man race, consisting ofTaylor County Assistant District Attorney PhilCrowley and Scott Lebowitz, who formerly worked for the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
Bolls, a former TV news anchor,first was appointed by commissioners after Judge George Newman retired, then was elected to the office.
No one filed locally as a Democrat in the primary for county offices.
At the state level, Rep. Stan Lambert drew a Democrat Linda Goolsbee asan opponent for District 7.
State Sen. Charles Perryis unopposed in District 28.
Local Democratic Party chairwoman Elizabeth Smyser and Republican Party chairman Chris Carnohan, both incumbents,did not draw opponents, according to the listings.
Candidates are listed onthe Texas secretary of state's website.
County Judge race heats up
Lebowitz, in astatement about his candidacy, said he brings 32 years of experience in personnel management, budgeting and law enforcement.
He has been a resident of Taylor County for 17 years and is a 20-year retired Air Force veteran.
He served at Dyess Air Force Base from 1992-98 in the96thSecurity Police Squadron until hewas transferred, returning here in 2004.
He continued his career in public service by accepting a position with the sheriff’s office in itsadult detention facility, where he attained the rank of sergeant.He became a certified peace officer in 2010.
In 2015, helaterally transferred within the county to theRoad and Bridge Department in Precinct 2.
Lebowitzhas served asa volunteer firefighter with volunteer departments in the cities of Tye and Merkel, also working forRural Metro Ambulance in Abilene and volunteering withMerkel EMS,he said.
His experience in law enforcement and public safety will aid him in performing required judicial duties, he said, includingemergency management, matters of probate and mental health commitments, juvenile casesand guardianships.
"When it comes to the budget I will ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely," he said. "I also look forward to working with other government entities as needed to ensure the forward progression of Taylor County."
Crowley seeks office
Crowley, who announced his candidacy in September, said he brings "experience and legal knowledge" that willserve him inprobate, guardianship, mental health commitment and occasional juvenile law matters heard by the county judge.
He graduated from the Abilene Independent School District and Hardin-Simmons University. Hethen graduated from Texas Wesleyan School of Law (now Texas A&M School of Law) and immediately returned home to practice.
If elected, hisexperience would help "efficiently manage the court’s civil docket," he said, adding that he alsobrought experience as a small businessman with his own law practice.
He promised a "capability to make tough decisions daily on felony cases," and said he would set budget priorities to make sure the county's public safety needs are being met.
He said he would bring"strong conservative leadership and knowledge of Taylor County government structure" to the judge'sroleas the county's administrator.
He also would bringan understandingof the structure and organization of county governmentthrough his own experience as a countyemployee, he said.
"I want to make sure we have someone in that job who cares about government and cares about delivering good service to our constituents," Crowley said.
New blood
Several new candidates seeking office are unopposed:
► Brandi DeRemer, a former Taylor County clerk's office employee, announced her intention to seek that role after Larry Bevill, the elected clerk for 15 years, announced plans to retire.
DeRemer has worked for Taylor County since 2003, and is currently serving in Haig's office as court administrator.
► Court clerk Shawna Joiner put in a solo bid for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2, an office presently held bySparky Dean.
Dean said Wednesday that while he might not rule out future political endeavors, he and his wife have trips to take and some independent ventures to explore.
Joiner previously ran for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1, against incumbent Mike McAuliffe in 2019.
►Unopposed is Earl Donnell of Tuscola, who put in a bid for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3.
That position is currently held by Bob Shea Jr., who said Wednesday he did not planned to run again.
Incumbents and others
A number of incumbent county employees didn't draw opponents in their races, including County Commissioner Kyle Kendrick, Commissioner Chuck Statler, County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Robert Harper, County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Harriett Haagand Treasurer Lesa Hart Crosswhite.
Incumbent Justiceof the Peace Robert Jones, Precinct 2, and David Doherty, Precinct 4, also are unopposed.
Doherty, who was chief deputy for theSheriff's Office, replacedFrank Cleveland, who retired in June.
Cleveland had served in the Precinct 4 position for almost 23 years.
Brian Bethel covers city and county government and general news for the Abilene Reporter-News. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalistswith adigital subscription to ReporterNews.com.
