As the deadline approached to file for March 2 political primary elections---that deadline was Monday---candidates stepped forward and created a pair of contested Freestone county races.

The races are in the Democratic Primary for the offices of district clerk and county clerk.

Signed up for district clerk are incumbent Janet Chappell, who has held the office for three terms, and Letha Willis, a former deputy district clerk and now court coordinator in the county judge’s office.

Running in the Democratic Primary for the county clerk nomination are two deputies in the office, Sharon Gipson and Dianne Manning.

The candidate that wins the Demo nomination in March will face a Republican opponent in the November general election. Running unopposed for the GOP nomination is county clerk chief deputy Linda Jarvis.

With a decision by County Clerk Mary Lynn White to not seek re-election this year, the office is wide open. Mrs. White, a Democrat, has served 18 years as county clerk.

Running unopposed in the Democratic Primary are incumbents County Judge Linda Grant, County Treasurer Kay Barger, precinct two commissioner Craig Oakes, precinct four commissioner Clyde Ridge and three justices of the peace, Debra Lawrence in precinct two, Beth Ireland in precinct three and Shirley Mays in precinct four.

Also filed in the Republican Primary on the county level is incumbent Peace Justice Theresa Farris, precinct one.

Political primary ballots this year must provide candidates for most statewide offices, including governor, in which both parties have contested races.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton has filed for re-election to his District 6 seat and is unopposed in the GOP Primary.

Seeking re-election as 87th District Judge is Deborah Oakes Evans, Republican. She is unopposed for the office that serves Freestone, Limestone, Leon and Anderson counties.

The last day to register to vote in primary elections is Feb. 1.

Early voting for the primaries is Feb. 16-26.