• • XliE More Republicans than ever running for county positions By MARY ANN KREPS Tribune-Herald Staff Writer As the survivors of the spring pri- mary and runoff elections prepare for the November general election, it be- comes clear that more McLennan County candidates than ever are wear- ing Republican hats. And according to McLennan County Republican party vice chairman Craig Reid, this year's slate of Republican candidates aren't on the ballot just to provide cannon fodder for their Demo- cratic opponents. "This is the biggest number of local candidates we've ever had," Reid said. "We're looking for a bumper crop this year. We anticipate all local candi- dates making strong challenges — they're not just token candidates." Historically, winning the Demo- cratic nomination in McLennan County has been tantamount to elec- tion in November. The McLennan County Courthouse, a Democratic stronghold since the day it was built, has yet to see a Republican elected to a seat within its walls. Two Republican judges, however, currently hold interim positions in the courthouse through gubernatorial ap- pointments, and both hope to keep their positions come November. McLennan County Democratic party chairman Gene Evans acknowl- edged that local Republicans are gain- ing momentum, noting that the Repub- licans manned more precincts — 57 of 81 — than ever before during the May 1 primary. Evans, however, says local Demo- crats will be working "extra hard" to retain their grip on courthouse politics. Courthouse observers predict the race for judge of the 54th State Dis, trict Court will be a pivotal race thi: fall, as Republican Walter S. Smith Jr.. who was appointed to the position in 1980, struggles with Democratic chal- lenger George Allen. Smith was appointed to the bench in November 1980 by Republican Gov. Bill Clements after Judge Carl Ander- son, a Democrat, retired. Allen is vacating his position as judge of County Court-at-Law No. 1 to seek the 54th Court seat. A former prosecutor in the McLennan County district attorney's office, Allen has held the county court-at-law position since 1969. "We sure want Smith to hold onto that spot," Reid said. A similar situation highlights the race for associate justice on Waco's 10th Court of Appeals, as Republican appointee George Chase attempts to fend off a challenge by McLennan County Judge Bob Thomas, a Demo- crat. Chase was appointed by Clements on March 22 to succeed Associate Jus- tice John A. James Jr., who retired after 11 years on the bench. The victor of the Nov. 2 general election will serve the remainder of James' term, which expires in 1984. The contest for McLennan County district attorney also is expected to heat up, as Republican Paul Gartner Jr. and Democrat Vic Feazell grapple for the position to be vacated by Felipe Reyna, who was defeated by Feazell in the May 1 Democratic primary. The remaining contested election will pit incumbent Don Cantrell, a Democrat, against Republican chal- lenger Jack Denman for Precinct 4 county commissioner. Across the state, the governor's and lieutenant governor's contests are ex- pected to be key races, as C1em4nts faces a strong challenge from Atior- ney General Mark White and Demo- cratic Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby tries to re- tain his position against Republican George Strake. U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, must fend off U.S. Rep. Jim Collins, R-Texas, to keep his seat in the Senate. The attorney general's race between Democrat Jim Mattox and Republican Bill Meier also should be hotly contest- ed, while the race for state comptrol- ler pits Republican challenger Mike Richards against Democratic incum- bent Bob Bullock. Two recent changes have marked the state treasurer and agriculttr.e commissioner races. Republican iAil- lard K. Neptune withdrew fre:n the ballot for treasurer, and Allen Clark Jr., a former assistant to Clements, will replace him on the November bal- lot, if approved by the -state Republi- can Executive Committee. Clark will face former Wacoan Ann Richards, the Democratic nominee, for treasurer. Also last week, Republican Donald Herbert withdrew from the agricul- ture commissioner race, and Fred Thornberry is expected to carry the GOP banner against Democrat Jim Hightower, who defeated incumbent Reagan Brown in the May primary. The competition for land commis- sioner remains unchanged, with for- mer Wacoan Garry Mauro, a Demo- crat, facing Republican Woody Glass- cock, and Democrat Jim Nugent at- tempting to retain his seat on the Rail- road Commission against Republican John Thomas Henderson. Incumbent Land Commissioner Bob Armstrong ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the May primary. Some statewide judicial races may see some changes in the ballot in thg aftermath of the death of Judge James, G. Denton, the Democratic nominee for justice of the Texas Supreme Court, place 2. Clements must appoint someone to fill the position until Jan. 1, and the state Democratic Executive Commit- tee must nominate a new Democratic candidate to run in November. In the race for Texas Supreme Court, Place 1, Democrat Ted Ro- bertson will face Republican John Bates, unless Bates is appointed to the, Place 2 interim position by Clements. Republican Ray Moses will vie with Democrat Chuck Miller for a seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2. 71S WEST 5th ST AUSTIN TEXAS 78701 477775t Tribune-lerald Waco, Texas. JUN 131982