By J.J. Smith. Jerry Hogan narrowly defeated Kevin Fowler by just 115 votes in the Rockwall County Judge Republican Primary Run-Off Election yesterday, while Jack James and Nancy Beaty defeated both incumbent Justices of the Peace, David Karr and Larry Holloway.

Since no Democrats ran for any of these positions, all three winners will take office in January, 2011.

Hogan (left photo), a retired U.S. Army officer and former IBM and MCI corporate executive, received 2,088 votes (51.42%) edging American National Bank Vice President Fowler, who received 1,973 votes (48.58%). Hogan won the early voting, as well, 1,226 to 1,075 votes.

“First I would like to thank all my supporters,” Hogan said about his victory. “They wanted change and believed in what I said.”

“Now I’ve got to show those who didn’t vote for me that I am the right choice, and I believe over time my actions will show that.”

Assistant Garland Fire Chief James (center photo) totaled 1,224 votes in the Precinct 1 & 4 race, compared to Judge Karr’s 840 votes (40.70%), a 384 vote margin of victory. He won the early voting, as well, 672 to 471 votes.

“I would like to commend Judge Karr on running a very professional and hard fought campaign,” said James.  “He has served the citizens of Rockwall county for many years and I wish him the best.  I also want to thank the citizens of Rockwall county for their strong show of support.”

“Judy and I are very humbled by the outpouring of encouragement we have received.  Many people told us they were praying for us and we appreciate it so much.  I look forward to working with all the county and city departments as the county continues to grow and prosper.”

Long-time community volunteer and writer Beaty earned 1,013 votes (52,57%), 99 more than Judge Holloway’s 914 votes (47.43%). She had 552 votes in early voting, although Holloway had 560.

“I’m really humbled by all of the support I received – all the hard work, voting and prayers,” she said. “They believed in my message to make a positive difference and that’s what we’re going to do.”

County voters also voted 2 to 1 for Judge Debra Lehrmann who defeated former legislator Rick Green in the statewide Texas Supreme Court Justice Place Three race, 52% to 48%. In Rockwall County, she received 2,372 votes (65.09%) to 1,272 (34.91%) for Green.

There were 4,135 ballots cast and a voter turnout of 9.16% of the total 45,134 registered Republican voters across the County, which was actually higher than the 5-7% expected by County Elections Administrator Glenda Denton.

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No Democrats are running, so November will be a walk-over for the candidate who emerges from the slate of incumbent Chris Florance and challengers Kevin Fowler, Jerry Hogan and Ken Jones.

Florance said serving a four-year term sets him apart from the others.

“I have on-the-job experience,” he said. “I’m not sure they really understand county government.”

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By J.J. Smith. Rockwall County Judge Chris Florance has announced that he will seek re-election in 2010.

The former businessman was first elected in 2006, after defeating former County Commissioner Scott Self in a close run-off election and former Rockwall Mayor Ken Jones in the GOP primary election.

Three other Republicans have already announced they will challenge Judge Florance in the March primary election for the office, including retired corporate executive and military officer Jerry Hogan, bank vice president Kevin Fowler and radio station owner Jones.

Since being elected, Florance has become the County’s first full-time Judge (in recent memory) adding on the duties of an actual judge and magistrate, in addition to his administrative role serving on the Commissioners Court with four other County Commissioners. 

He has presided over three County budgets with no tax increases, helped arrange funding for a second district judge and helped prevent the County from being regionalized by the Dallas Parkland Hospital system.

“Since I was elected to lead this county,” he said, “we have achieved what many have said could not be accomplished without a tax increase. I brought 30 years of business culture and experience to Rockwall County government.”  

“Having presided over three County budgets, the County has not raised taxes, except when the citizens voted to raise taxes 2 ½ cents for our new Library under the previous administration.”

He has spearheaded efforts to build a new and safer County courthouse.

“Recently the State issued a warning for our overcrowded, unsafe and non-compliant court facility,” he added. ”We are now in the process of constructing a Courthouse as a replacement.”

“It takes courage to do what’s right and the Commissioners Court understands that the safety of our citizens is of the utmost importance. We will not sacrifice our citizens’ safety.”

He has also secured seats and testified on several state and area councils and committees. 

“Having a seat on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has allowed us to negotiate with state officials to keep construction of County roads to keep construction moving forward in spite of financial constraints.”

Prior to being elected, he was a businessman for 30 years who owned six different businesses. The last was Dallas Courier, which employed 30-35 people at any one time.   

Judge Florance is also an ordained minister, having attended Southwestern Baptist Theology School, after graduating from S.M.U. in 1976 with a degree in business and communications. He became a Department of Public Safety chaplain to assist state troopers, victims and their families.

He and his wife, Kathy attend Lake Pointe Church. They are the parents of four grown children, who all graduated from Rockwall High School and are employed in law enforcement, including Rockwall Police officer Joseph Florance and Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher Anna Florance.

Summarizing his feelings about serving as County Judge, he said, “It has truly been an honor to have served the people of Rockwall County. My door is always open so please drop in and let me answer your questions personally.  I respectfully request your vote in the upcoming March Primary election so we can keep Rockwall County moving forward.”

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By J.J. Smith. Rockwall banker and community leader Kevin Fowler has become the second Republican candidate to announce his candidacy for Rockwall County Judge, a position currently held by first-term incumbent Chris Florance, who is also expected to begin his re-election campaign soon. 

Former corporate executive, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and “The Military View” columnist Jerry Hogan announced his candidacy last month.

Employed as Vice President of Commercial Lending for American National Bank of Texas for nearly eight years, Fowler says he believes he is uniquely qualified to handle the issues the County must address due to recent rapid growth in the area. 

“I believe with my financial background, proven ability to lead and strong community involvement I can build consensus throughout Rockwall County and lead our County to the next level.”

The new candidate said he will work with the Commissioner’s Court and the community to address Rockwall County’s biggest challenges, including roads. He added that the County could benefit from strong financial planning and he would like to see short and long term financial forecasting.

Fowler cited his work as Chairman of the Rockwall County Building Better Roads Bond Committee as evidence of his ability to build community support for important county projects.  He says there is still much work to be done. 

“The recent road bond package is just one piece of the puzzle toward solving Rockwall County’s long-term road needs,” he said. 

Fowler said the county, and the county judge in particular, must continue to be active at the state level to obtain funding for other construction projects. 

“The county judge plays a critical role in obtaining state funding for local road projects, and the County Judge must be able to work well with our state elected officials,” he added.

Fowler has a long history of community involvement.  He currently serves as a Director of the City of Rockwall’s Economic Development Corporation and as Chairman of the Rockwall Business Education Council.  

He is also a member and past-president of the Rockwall Rotary Club, past chairman and secretary of the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce and former treasurer of Rockwall County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), plus the Rockwall Alliance for the Arts. 

He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance degree from Louisiana State University, and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. 

He has two children, Jake, who attends Rockwall High School, and Grace, who attends Utley Middle School. 

He is also a member of First Baptist Church, Rockwall.

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A Heath resident who is a retired US Army officer, combat veteran and corporate executive with IBM and MCI who writes “The Military View” newspaper column for local newspapers and websites has just announced his candidacy for Rockwall County Judge in the March, 2010, Republican Primary election.

US Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Jerry Hogan, who is the husband of long-time area realtor Diane Luby, will seek to unseat current one-term County Judge Chris Florance, who was first elected in 2007.

According to Hogan, he decided to run after Florance and two other Rockwall Co. commissioners approved tax notes earlier this year to contruct the new County Justice Center between I-30 and the new library after it was twice voted against overwhelmingly by voters.

“Enough is enough,” said Hogan in his announcement. “I believe it’s time that we take a stand and make our voices heard on how we want Rockwall County governed.”

“It is not too much to ask that our county officials be honest, use good judgment and represent what the citizens want,” he continued. “Our County must be run by officials who exercise sound fiscal responsibility and individual integrity.” 

“No longer should we have to apologize for what politicians do while in office. No longer should we be embarrassed by local politicians who do backroom deals, act unethically or get sent to prison for theft of county assets.”

Hogan also emphasized the importance of voting in the primary election and said by doing so voters can elect a county government which mirrors the will of the people.

“I hope that residents understand the importance of the primary election in Rockwall County. It is their opportunity to make choices in who represents the best interests of our community. There is no reason we cannot have a County government that mirrors the people of this area. I can help lead us there and I would appreciate your support and your vote.”

Hogan said he is a fiscal conservative who is experienced at running large organizations and managing sizeable budgets. 

In addition to the column he writes, he also volunteers to teach and discuss current events with residents at area retirement homes, as well as at local organizations on a variety of subjects.

Other candidates rumored also to be considering running for the office are current Rowlett Mayor John Harper and former Rockwall Mayor and radio station owner Ken Jones.

Primary election winner will face a Democrat challenger in the general election in November, 2010.

For more information about Hogan or to contact him, visit his website at: www.hoganforjudge.com

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