BY JERRIE WHITELEY
HERALD DEMOCRAT
Now that the children are back in school, the summer is all but over and election season is kicking into high gear. The November general election is a little more than 60 days away and local candidates are getting ready for the final stretch.
"I am feeling good," Greg Middents, Democratic candidate for Grayson County Judge said about his race for the position on the county's Commissioner's Court.
He said he has been busy putting up yard signs and is getting ready for a number of debates that are planned for the fall.
"The League (of Women Voter's) will have one and the Bar (Grayson County Bar Association) will have one," he said.
The Herald Democrat will also be sitting down with each candidate before early voting starts.
His opponent, incumbent Republican Drue Bynum, said he is also excited about the next two months, especially the debates.
"A debate is an elected official's superbowl," he said.
Bynum said gearing up for the election "does require patience and stamina. It really takes a strong, dedicated team (to) put it all together successfully."
Grayson County Treasurer Virginia Hughes, a Democrat, is facing an opponent for only the second time in her six terms in office. Hughes said she is looking forward to getting out there and talking to people. Most of the local candidates, including Hughes, will be making the festival circuit this fall. Her opponent, Republican Trent Bass, said this is the most hectic two months of the political season.
"There are still a lot of people to get to know and to get to talk to," Bass said. He said he has especially enjoyed meeting "a tremendous amount of people who I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet had I not (run for county office)."
Voters will have several opportunities to get to meet the two candidates, along with all of the other people who are running for local offices this fall.
There are a few deadlines voters need to keep in mind in the coming months.
Sept. 3 is the first day to request a ballot by mail. The last day to make that request is Oct. 26.
Early voting for the general election starts on Oct. 18 and ends on Oct. 29.
The ballots by mail have to be returned to the Grayson County Clerk by Nov. 2.
In addition to Bynum and Hughes, County Commissioner David Whitlock also faces a challenger this fall. Whitlock will face off against Republican Roy Fuller. Democratic candidate Bart Lawrence and Democratic candidate Mike Brady will face off to see who will replace retiring commissioner Gene Short.
This article was updated on Sept. 3, 2010.