Constable Darryl Wertz and Zack Coleman/Photos by Wertz Campaign and We The People Townsquare
In Potter County, two candidates are vying to be elected the next constable for Precinct 1. Here’s what you need to know about the race in this early preview.
Who’s running for Constable?
Incumbent Darryl Wertz is seeking re-election as Constable for Potter County Precinct 1. Wertz, a Republican who was first elected in 2012, is facing the first challenger of his electoral career in this year’s election, with conductor Zack Coleman also running.
What part of Potter County is Precinct 1?
Precinct 1 covers much of Potter County’s southwestern side. The precinct includes the Downtown area and the Bivins neighborhood, as well as portions of the Wolfin, San Jacinto, Belmar, Olsen Park, and Fairway Drive neighborhoods.
What does a Constable even do?
A constable is a peace officer who functions as an officer for the courts in Texas. The constable is a law enforcement officer who serves warrants and civil papers. The constable is also the bailiff for their respective justice of the peace court.
What are the backgrounds of the two candidates?
Wertz is a career law enforcement officer who is running his campaign on a platform of experience. Wertz has noted that he is the only candidate in the race who has ever served as a constable and has dramatically increased the activity of the office. Wertz has over three decades of law enforcement experience.
Coleman is also a law enforcement officer, though he currently works as a conductor for BNSF, according to his LinkedIn profile. Coleman previously worked as a correctional officer and also worked for the Randall County Sheriff’s Office.
Voters in Potter County might remember that this is not Coleman’s first run for constable. Coleman previously sought the Republican nomination for constable in Precinct 2 in 2020, but was declared ineligible to appear on the ballot due to issues with his residency.
Are there any other constables running for re-election?
In Potter County, Constables Georgia Estrada and Idella Jackson are seeking re-election in Precincts 2 and 4. Dennis Green is a political newcomer who will be unopposed for the position in Precinct 3.
Meanwhile, in Randall County, Constables Richard Beals and Paula Williams are both seeking re-election unopposed.
When is the election?
Voters will decide this race in the Republican primary election on March 5.