Candidate filing for April 8 election
By Shari Harris, Publisher
Several local entities have announced the names of those who have filed for candidacy in the upcoming April 8, 2025, election. Terms of office are ending for members of local school boards, township boards, water districts and city governments. The status of the City of Licking Mayoral race will be updated as more information becomes available, after the late-breaking news of Mayor Keith Cantrell’s death on Tuesday morning. Many other entities will have uncontested races, with exceptions being the Texas County Hospital Board, Sherrill Township, Licking R-VIII Board of Education, and the City of Edgar Springs.
Mayor Keith Cantrell was the only one who had filed in the mayoral race for the City of Licking. News of his death has left City Administrator/Clerk Rhonda Kirkwood and County Clerk Peggy Seyler verifying the necessary procedure for the upcoming election. It is possible that Cantrell’s name will have to remain on the ballot.
The City of Licking will choose an alderman for both Ward I and Ward II. Running uncontested are incumbents Alderman Ward I Danny Wade and Alderman Ward II Fred Rinne.
The Texas County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees will have one position with a five-year term coming open. Four candidates will be vying for the position – incumbent Jerri Sue Crump, Marie Lasater, George Sholtz and Chelsye Scantlin.
For Sherrill Township, both Brandi Smith and Vanessa Haneline are unopposed for Treasurer and Clerk, respectively, but two two-year spots on the board are being sought by four candidates – Leroy Lane, Roy Cook, Roy Ogden and Joe Clevenger.
The Licking R-VIII Board of Education has two three-year terms expiring. Incumbents Jake Floyd and Heidi Moloney have both filed as candidates, and Joseph Satterfield will be joining them on the ballot as he tries to unseat one of them.
The City of Edgar Springs has two candidates competing for the seat of mayor – Thomas Riley and Thomas Robinson; Ted Brookshire and Joshua Dooley are uncontested for the positions of Alderman South Ward and Alderman North Ward, respectively.
The Raymondville School Board has two three-year terms up for election and two candidates have filed for the positions – Aaron Scantlin and Rebecca Mills.
Phelps County R-III School District also has two three-year terms ending, and has two candidates – Sheryl Burris and George Robbins.
Boone Township races will also be uncontested, as Ronnie Duncan and Brad Richards have filed for the Board Member positions, Leann Green as Clerk, and Margaret Short as Treasurer-Trustee.
Incumbents Roy Ogden and Jan Stoner filed for the two three-year terms on the board of Texas County Public Water Supply District #4, and are unopposed.
Brad Harris has filed for the Subdistrict #3 opening on the board of Public Water Supply District #1 – Phelps County. No one filed for the Subdistrict #4 opening.
