By JIM HARDIN
CNHI
ROCKWALL COUNTY — Jerry Hogan and Kevin Fowler said there will be a change in their focus as they head to an April 13 runoff election for Rockwall County Judge.
They agree that their focus won’t be on the courthouse issue and the current county judge.
“We aren’t as concerned about the courthouse and the current judge,” Hogan said Wednesday, a day after he was the leading vote-getter for county judge in the Republican Primary. “That’s no longer an issue.”
“As of yesterday, it’s not about the courthouse anymore,” Fowler said. “Now, it’s about looking forward.
Hogan ended up with 2,845 votes (33.11 percent), followed by Fowler with 2,279 votes (26.52 percent).
Incumbent Chris Florance got 1,813 votes (21.10 percent) and Ken Jones was last with 1,655 votes (19.26 percent).
Incumbent county commissioners were successful in their bids for re-election.
In Precinct 2, Lorie Grinnan was the winner with 1,411 votes (68.50 percent). Fred Lively got 649 votes.
David Magness was victorious in Precinct 4. He got 977 votes (58.61 percent), compared to Stan McWhirter’s 690 votes.
The morning after his defeat, Florance was in the Historic Courthouse presiding over a commissioners court workshop.
“They wanted the county to go in a new direction,” Florance said of voters after the workshop meeting. “I’ll finish my term and then there will be a new day for the county.”
Florance said he was pleased with his campaign.
“I’m totally at peace with everything I’ve done,” Florance said. “I don’t know anything else to say.”
The courthouse was a major issue in the campaign. Rockwall County voters twice turned down bond issues to build a new courthouse. The county, however, is moving forward with plans to construct a new courthouse.
“I’m very grateful,” Hogan said of his successful run. “This is a realization that the voters wanted a different style of management.”
“I said what I would do if elected,” Hogan said in response to a question about a key to his success. “People trust me to do what I said I would do.”
Those plans, Hogan said, include restoring trust in county government.
During the campaign, Hogan also talked about other issues, including no new taxes, cutting wasteful spending, balancing the budget, holding commissioners court meetings at night and making and publishing short- and long-term financial forecasts.
Hogan said the campaign was vigorous, long and clean.
“There weren’t any personal attacks that I know about and the campaign was run in a civil and gentlemanly manner,” he said.
“I’m excited. This is a great place to be,” Fowler said of the runoff.
“I’ll work harder,” Fowler responded when asked whether he would make any changes for the runoff.
“I’ll continue with the same thing, getting the message out that I’m the right leader at the right time for this county,” Fowler said.
Fowler added that he will continue to focus on his finance background, experience in the banking industry and his ability to lead and to work effectively with people. Along with his financial background, Fowler said, other pluses include strong negotiating and people skills.
The county judge’s race isn’t the only one which will be headed into estra innings politically.
Both Justice of the Peace contests will be going to a runoff as well.
In the Precinct 1,4 position, incumbent David Karr will go up against challenger Jack James. Karr led the votes with 41.96 percent and 1,714 votes. James mustered up 1,432 votes for 35.06 percent.
In the Precinct 2,3 race, incumbent Larry Holloway led vote totals with 1,549 for 38.14 percent. He will be facing Nancy Beaty in the runoff election. Beaty garnered 1,377 votes for 33.91 percent.
Early voting is scheduled April 5-9.
