Voters in Bandera County and the surrounding Hill Country will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to hear directly from candidates in local, state and federal races, as both Republican and Democratic organizations host forums, meetings and candidate meet-and-greet events ahead of the primary election.
Republican events begin Saturday, Jan. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Silver Sage Great Room, where the Bandera County Republican Women, PAC, and the Bandera County Republican Party will host a Republican candidate meet-and-greet. The event is expected to include candidates for county, state and federal offices and is billed as an informal opportunity for voters to interact with those seeking office.
Another Republican forum is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Bandera Electric Cooperative headquarters. A meet-andgreet with candidates will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a forum at 6 p.m. Candidates in contested Bandera County races, including county judge, district clerk, county treasurer and precinct chair, are expected to be invited. Each candidate will be given two minutes to speak, with audience questions to follow.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Kerr County GOP and the Republican Women of Kerr County will present a Texas 21st Congressional District candidate forum at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel in Kerrville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. State Rep. Wes Virdell is listed as the moderator.
A Republican meeting with a candidate forum component is also planned for Thursday, March 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with the location to be announced.
Democratic organizations are also hosting events aimed at introducing voters to candidates. The Democratic Club of Bandera, in association with the Bandera County Democratic Party, will host a public meeting Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Silver Sage, 803 Buck Creek Drive. The meeting will include opportunities to meet candidates running in the upcoming primary elections. A free buffet will be served at 11 a.m., with candidate presentations beginning at noon.
Candidates scheduled to appear at the Democratic Club meeting include Kristin Hook, a candidate for the U.S. House in Texas’ 21st Congressional District; Clayton Tucker, a candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner; and Joe Paz Herrera, a candidate for Texas Senate District 24.
In addition, the League of Women Voters of the Hill Country Texas will hold a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Hen’s Nest, 1134C Main St., in Bandera. League meetings are nonpartisan and open to the public at no charge, and the organization does not support or oppose candidates for elected office.
Alongside the forums, Republican groups in Bandera County are encouraging residents to serve as election workers, citing a need for additional poll workers during the primary. Prospective election workers must complete online training through the Texas Secretary of State’s office and then contact the Bandera County Elections Office to be added to the poll worker distribution list. Election workers are paid $12 per hour and serve during early voting and on election day.
Early voting for the primary election is scheduled for Feb. 17–27, with election day set for March 3.
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