No contests have developed in Freestone county political primaries, but a couple of races are shaping up for the general election as candidates start filing to run for office in 2010.

Nine county level offices must be filled next year and the first step to election are the political party primaries set for March 2.

The filing period to sign up for Democratic and Republican primaries opened last week and close on Jan. 4.

Freestone county candidates must file paperwork and pay fees with county political party chairmen.

Filing for re-election in the Democratic Primary are County Judge Linda Grant, District Clerk Janet Chappell, precinct two Commissioner Craig Oakes, precinct four Commissioner Clyde Ridge, precinct two Peace Justice Debra Hamilton, precinct three Peace Justice Beth Ireland and precinct four Peace Justice Shirley Mays.

Peace Justice Theresa Farris, precinct one, has filed for re-election as a Republican.

County Clerk Mary Lynn White has decided to retire at the end of her current term that runs through 2010 and is not seeking reelection.

Mrs. White, a Democrat, has served 18 years as county clerk.

Seeking the open office are county clerk chief deputy Linda Jarvis, who has filed in the GOP Primary, and county clerk deputy Sharon Gibson, running as a Democrat.

Mrs. Jarvis and Mrs. Gibson will not face each other in March, but could square off in the General Election in November if they get through the primaries. Neither candidate has drawn a primary opponent.

County Treasurer Kay Barger, a Democrat, has not yet filed for re-election.

Most of the action thus far is farther up the ballot, in contested primaries for governor in each political party.

Also on the ballot are the office of U.S. Senator currently held by Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is running against Gov. Rick Perry in the GOP Primary, and most statewide offices.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton plans to seek re-election to his District 6 seat.

State Sen. Steve Ogden, after announcing his plans to step down, filed for a new term last week. Ogden is a Republican and is facing a challenge from within his party.

State Rep. Byron Cook has started his re-election bid by filing for the GOP Primary.

Judge Deborah Evans, 87th State Judicial District, is expected to file in the Republican Primary for reelection.