By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

When voters head to the polls tomorrow, perhaps the highest profile contest on the ballot is the race for retiring U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry’s seat. There are also intriguing contests for President and for U.S. Senate on the primary ballots. However, there are also a few local races voters should also thoroughly research and consider before they head to the polls.

In Randall County, voters will be picking a constable in precinct 4. This is a rematch of the Republican primary four years ago, with both incumbent Chris Johnson and challenger Paula Hicks returning to the ballot. This is a race that has become hotly contested over the past several weeks and is one voters should pay attention to on their ballots.

In Potter County, two different commission seats are up for grabs, with one incumbent facing a spirited challenge and another seat fielding four newcomers hoping to replace an incumbent. In precinct 1, Commissioner H.R. Kelly is facing challenger Ayvrie Dixon. This is a race voters need to research, as commission races sometimes fly under the radar, but this will be important to the future of Potter County. In a similar race, precinct 3 voters are choosing their new commissioner following the retirement of incumbent Leon Church. John Coffee, Brian Moore, Walter Gene Goodwin, and George Buchenau, Jr. are hoping to win the Republican nomination for this seat.

There are a number of other small county races on the ballot, but regardless of which race will be on your ballot tomorrow, every single local race matters. I would encourage everyone to pay as much attention to the local races as they do to the big congressional races. Your vote matters so please make sure you vote for the best candidate for you.

Please research the candidates and make sure you show up to vote tomorrow.