Hempstead County election filings

HOPE – There will be three contested races in the 2026 Preferential Primary elections next March in Hempstead County, all on the Republican ticket.

Incumbent County Judge Jerry Crane will face Kenneth Harvel. Incumbent Circuit Clerk Gail Wolfenbarger is being challenged by Becky Hood. There will be a new Sheriff as Justin Crane and Jesus J. Coronado vie to replace retiring James Singleton.

Diane Honea Westbrook is the sole candidate for the new office of Hempstead County Collector. Incumbent Assessor Renee Gilbert is unopposed. David W. Peters is unopposed for Coroner. County Clerk incumbent Karen Mitchell Smith did not draw an opponent. Amber Mackey will be the new Treasurer/

In the various Constable races, there are no contested races. (*indicates incumbent) Except for Maurice Henry, who filed as a Democrat, all other candidates are running as Republicans.

Maurice Henry * Constable Bois D’Arc Township Democrat
Jeremy McBride Constable DeRoan Township Republican
Randall Hatfield * Constable Garland Township Republican
Jack Faulkner * Constable Nowland Township Republican
Jacob Wayne Constable Ozan Township Republican
Marla Gullion * Constable Redland Township Republican
Warren Webster * Constable Saline Township Republican
Michael Braddock Constable Spring Hill Township Republican
Frankie Ingersoll * Constable Water Creek Township Republican

There is one contested Justice of the Peace contest to fill the seat in District 1 of James Griffin, who did not file. Running as Republicans for the seat are Shelley Marie and Dr. Claudia Griffin. The rest of the slate are unopposed:

Jay Lathrop * Justice of the Peace District 10 Republican
B. Keith Steed * Justice of the Peace District 11 Republican
Justice of the Peace Doris Brown * Justice of the Peace District 3 Democrat
Ed B. Darling * Justice of the Peace District 4 Republican
Dr. Victor L. Ford * Justice of the Peace District 5 Republican
Steve Atchley * Justice of the Peace District 7 Republican
C. David Clayton * Justice of the Peace District 8 Republican
Jessie Henry * Justice of the Peace District 9 Democrat

There were no filings for District 2 and 6. In June, Governor Sarah Sanders made two appointments to fill vacancies on the Hempstead County Quorum Court. Krystal Goshen, Hope, was appointed to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 2, for Hempstead County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Cherry Stewart, and Joe Raschke, Hope, appointed to serve as Justice of the Peace for District 6, for Hempstead County. Term expires December 31, 2026. Fulfills the remaining term of Troy Lerew.

There are two non-partisan races for Hope School Board that will be determined in March. Zone 3 incumbent Margaret D. Moss and Zone 4 incumbent Jimmy Courtney are unopposed.