ELECTION PREVIEW
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024
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COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL ELECTIONS ARE MARCH 5 Bell County voters to decide Early voting times and locations for the March 5 primary election
on new sheriff, judge BY THADDEUS IMERMAN
Park, 1700 E. Stan Schlueter Loop Temple: Temple ISD Admin. Building, 401 Santa Fe Way Salado: Salado Church of Christ, 217 N. Stagecoach Road. Harker Heights: Parks & Recreation Center, 307 Millers Crossing Morgan’s Point Resort: Morgan’s Point Event Center, 60 Morgan’s Point Blvd.
STAFF REPORT
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
With several hotly contested races for Bell County seats in the March 5 primary, those who take to the polls will go a long way in deciding who their preferred candidate or — in some cases — winner of the race will be. Early voting for the primary begins Tuesday. From the county sheriff to judge positions, here is a look at who will be on the ballot.
Cooke
Harris
With early voting for the primary election starting Tuesday voters will need to know where they can cast a ballot. The hours and locations for early voting are as follows:
Hernandez
HERALD | FILE
Killeen residents participate in the first day of early voting at the Killeen Seniors Center at Lion’s Park during a recent election.
BELL COUNTY
Feb. 20-23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 25: noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 26 to March 1: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting will occur at: Belton: Bell County Belton Annex, 550 E. Second Ave. Killeen: Bell County Annex, 304 Priest Drive Killeen: Jackson Professional Learning Center, 902 Rev. R A Abercrombie Drive Killeen: Senior Center at Lions Club
CORYELL COUNTY
Feb. 20-23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 25: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 26-29: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 1: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting will occur at: Copperas Cove Early Voting Center, 508-B Cove Terrace, Copperas Cove Gatesville Annex, 801 E. Leon St., Gatesville
HERALD | FILE
Voters in Coryell County cast their early ballots at the Coryell County Justice Center at 210 S. First St., in Copperas Cove during a recent election.
aviation officer, field training officer, media relations officer and mental health officer. He has also received the sheriff ’s accommodation and meritorious award and the peace officer of the year in 2022. Hernandez currently holds a master SHERIFF peace officer and a master jailer’s license, With no opposition from the Democrat- while also attending classes at Temple ic Party, whomever emerges from the trio Junior College and Angelina Junior of Republicans vying to fill Eddy Lange’s College for criminal justice and business seat as sheriff will ultimately win the management. general election in November. After some speculation, Lange anDISTRICT ATTORNEY nounced late last year that he would not Three Republican candidates are atbe seeking reelection. tempting to succeed longtime incumbent Looking to succeed him are Bill Cooke, Henry Garza, who is not seeking reelecFred Harris and Frank Hernandez. tion, as Bell County’s district attorney. Cooke is a former Justice of the Peace Those candidates are Stephanie Newell, whose tenure of public service in Bell Jeff Parker and James Stapler. County spans three decades. Newell is Bell County’s first assistant Cooke is a graduate of Baylor Univerdistrict attorney. sity and the Texas Department of Public Newell, 47, the mother of two boys, said Safety Service Academy, and he is a her 18 years of experience in the Bell decorated law enforcement officer. County District Attorney’s office has preHis service as a Texas Highway Patrol- pared her to take the leadership reigns as man stationed in Bell County and his the county’s next top prosecutor. extensive investigative experience with Newell, who grew up in Fort Worth, the Bell County Attorney and District earned her law degree from Texas Tech Attorney’s offices led him to success as University. Next year will mark her 22nd the longest-serving justice of the peace year as a prosecutor, which includes in the history of west Bell County. many long days and nights preparing Harris — a Bell County native — has cases for trial. been a law enforcement officer since Parker is a graduate of Baylor Univer1999 when he graduated from the police sity, where he went for both his underacademy. graduate and law degrees. Currently Harris works with the Office A longtime resident of Bell County, of the Inspector General, investigating Parker currently resides in Temple along criminal activity as it affects Texas Dewith his wife and his two children. partment of Criminal Justice programs, Parker said he has 24 years of experiresources and personnel. ence as an attorney, both as a prosecutor Prior to his current position, Harris and defense attorney. worked at the Killeen Police Department In the beginning of his career, Parker as both a patrolman and a detective worked in Bell County as an assistant before retiring in 2021. district attorney before he transitioned Hernandez is a former Bell County into criminal defense. He has since Sheriff ’s Office deputy for 17½ years. transitioned back and has worked as He said at a recent GOP debate that one an assistant district attorney in Coryell of the top issues facing Bell County is County for the past seven years. hiring and retaining quality deputies, Stapler a managing partner with the according to FME News Service. Killeen law firm of Corbin, Stapler & Positions held by Hernandez include Clapper. SWAT team officer, a spot on the narcotics task force, honor guard, police PLEASE SEE BELL, B6
In Coryell County, Republicans vie for sheriff, constable positions BY THADDEUS IMERMAN KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
With early voting beginning Tuesday in the March 5 primary election, voters in Coryell County will effectively decide two contested races and help decide the nominees for a federal election. In the case of the contested races in Coryell County, the winner of the primary will also inevitably win the General Election in November. No Democrats filed to run as challengers to Republicans in Coryell County, meaning the Republican winners will run unopposed on the November ballot. All three candidates for sheriff and both candidates for constable for Precinct 1 in Coryell County met with dozens of potential voters at a barbecue restaurant in Copperas Cove recently. Each candidate spoke on why they are seeking election or reelection and what makes them the best candidate in their respective race.
COUNTY SHERIFF
The incumbent, Coryell County
Buster
Suniga
Williams
Sheriff Scott Williams, is seeking reelection to a third term. He spoke succinctly about why he is running. “I’m running again because I don’t think I’m finished. I think there’s a lot more that needs to be done in the county,” the sheriff said. “And the second part of your question, what makes me the best candidate is I’m the one that’s tested and has the most experience.” Williams has served in law enforcement since 2010 and was first elected to the sheriff ’s position in 2016. Williams’ Republican opponents, J.C. Buster and Danni Suniga, say they feel like change is needed. “I want change and I want better PLEASE SEE CORYELL, B4