“Well, it looks like we have a full head of steam as we move into the fall elections,” said 26th District Congressman Michael Burgess as he was on his way to DFW Airport for a flight back to the nation’s capital. “I’m very grateful for the support that was evident in the Primary Election vote,” added the Republican representative running for his fifth term. Dr. Burgess will face Democrat Neil Durrance, a Denton attorney and former Chairman of the Denton County Democratic Party, in the November general election. Governor Perry avoided a runoff with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina, but faces strong opposition in November from former Houston Mayor Bill White, a popular Democrat.  

     Locally, incumbent Denton District Attorney Paul Johnson defeated challenger Brent Bowen, a former Assistant District Attorney in the Denton office. Johnson, 51, won handily against Bowen, 33, after a vigorous campaign that included several debates and lots of shoe leather (both candidates had reportedly engaged in door-to-door canvassing of precincts). “I want to thank all the people who had confidence in me and appreciated my accomplishments in the DA’s office,” Johnson said. “I especially want to thank my family and friends who worked hard on my behalf. And, I thank God for all my blessings,” he added. Without an opponent in the general election this fall, Johnson, a Highland Village resident, has his second 4-year term secured. 

     In what is likely the biggest political upset in the county, two-term incumbent District Judge Jake Collier lost to Steve Burgess, an attorney practicing in Denton County since 1996. The 3-way race, which included attorney David Romaine, provided the primary challenger with enough votes to preclude a runoff. Final results indicated about 54 percent for Burgess, 40 percent for Collier, and Romaine with about 6 percent. Burgess said his campaign focused on bringing a positive attitude to the 158th District Court bench. 

     In another 3-way race a runoff will be needed, as Denton County Probate Court contenders Bonnie Robison and Robert Ramirez will face each other on April 13. Robison garnered about 45 percent of the primary vote, while her closest opponent, Ramirez, captured about 35 percent. Gilland Chenault, the third contender, received 20 percent. The winner of the April runoff will go up against the only Democrat in the race, Stephen Stephens, in November to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Judge Don Windle. 

     Also headed for a runoff are 2 GOP candidates for Denton County Court at Law Number one. Municipal Court Judge and Lewisville resident Kimberly McCary will continue to campaign against her runoff opponent, Chance Oliver of Plano. The hotly contested race began with 4 challengers for the open seat being vacated by retiring Judge Darlene Whitten. With about 31 and 30 percent for Oliver and McCary respectively, the race is likely to be competitive through the runoff.  Attorneys George Mitcham and Christine Ventura split the remaining votes. 

     The race for Justice of the Peace Precinct Four is also headed for a runoff as incumbent J.W. Hand picked up about 45 percent of the vote and was being trailed by challengers Scott Smith with 32 percent and Dave Jahn at 23 percent. Not having won at least half of the primary votes, the top two, Hand and Scott, will spar again until April 13. No Democrat is on the ballot in November, so the winner of the runoff will be the ultimate victor.