Top spots upturned in Houston County primary election

By WAYNE STEWART
The Palestine Herald

March 06, 2008 02:07 am

— There will be several changes coming to Houston County next year after Tuesday’s primaries.
Jerry McLeod, who has served multiple terms as Houston County Precinct 1 Commissioner was defeated by challenger Russell Kellum in the Democratic primary, 323 votes to 308 for McLeod.
“An incumbent is always hard to unseat,” Kellum said Wednesday morning. “We knew it would be a hard race, but I am delighted we came out on top.”
Kellum will face Republican challenger Roger Dickey, who also was in a tight race with Billy Christian. Dickey won with 410 votes to Christian’s 377.
Dickey, who has served as Grapeland police chief, fire chief and as a mail carrier in Grapeland, said he was relieved to have the primary win behind him.
“It was looking a little piqued for a while,” Dickey said. “But, things turned around and went our way at the end.”
Both Kellum and Dickey praised their opponent in the primary for the character they showed during the race.
“I set out to run a clean campaign, and in fact all four people running for the spot ran a clean race,” Kellum said. “Staying positive and running a clean race meant more to me than winning — and I hope to carry the same attitude into November.”
Now, both candidates look to November and the general election.
“It’s time now to take a breather and gear up for the next round,” Dickey said. “I thank God for what he’s done for me, and I would like to thank my family for their support and the support the community has given me and I look forward to it again in November.”
Houston County also will be getting a new District Attorney next year after Donna Gordon Kaspar defeated incumbent David Cervantes in the Republican primary. Kaspar received 1,450 votes to Cervantes’ 1,106 votes.
There was no Democrat running for the DA post, so Kaspar will be sworn into office in 2009.
Other primary races include Claude Watson defeating Pat Perry in the Precinct 3 commissioner’s race; Jimbo Rains defeating Harry Jackson for the Democratic nomination for the Precinct 1 constable’s race with Morris Luker defeating Billy Jones on the Republican side of the race for his party’s nomination.
For more results of Houston County primaries, visit the county’s Web site at www.co.houston.tx.us.