As of Friday at noon, several people have filed to run for county office.

Terry Bailey was elected as Panola County’s county court at law judge in 1999, and when he finishes his last term next year, he will have been judge for 24 years.

A former staff member for U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert is seeking to represent the 1st Congressional District, which includes Tyler and Longview

After announcing he was considering a run for Texas attorney general earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert said Monday he will challenge incumbent Ken Paxton in the March Republican primary.

As of Friday afternoon, several people have filed to run for county office.

The filing period has opened for candidates who wish to run for county offices.

Democratic activist Beto O’Rourke stopped in Carthage last week as part of a statewide tour to rally people to take action on voting rights, both at the state legislature and in Congress.

Beckville and Gary voters will get one more chance to vote in Beckville City Council, Beckville ISD school board and Gary ISD school board elections.

Beckville and Gary voters will head to the polls beginning Monday to choose candidates for seats on the Beckville City Council, Beckville ISD school board and Gary ISD school board.

If you're not registered and want to vote in the upcoming city elections, you have until April 1 to register to vote.

Beckville and Gary residents will decide a handful of contested races for city or school boards in May, while no one filed to run against the incumbents in Carthage.

Outgoing Panola County Fresh Water Supply District Pct. 1 member Michael Vanderslice is contesting whether the newly-elected Pct. 1 member David Bush ought to be disqualified from serving on the board.

Overall voting totals as well as early voting turnout were the highest for a general election since at least 1988 in Gregg, Smith, Panola, Harrison, Upshur and Rusk counties, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, said he’s ending his campaign to become Speaker of the Texas House.

Incumbent Tim Jones has been re-elected to his seat on the Beckville ISD Board of Trustees, according to unofficial total results from the district.

Gary ISD trustee Cody Pierce has been re-elected to his seat on the school board, according to unofficial total election results.

Mark Roberson has ousted Panola College Trustee Hal Palmer and will assume the Place 4 position, based on unofficial total election results.

Two Carthage ISD bond propositions were approved by voters, the district announced Tuesday.

Election Day is Tuesday, with local, state and national races on the ballots.

Six candidates are vying for three contested seats on the Elysian Fields ISD Board of Trustees.

Nearly 2,000 Panola County voters had already cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 presidential election before Friday morning — a sign of potential record early voting turnout and a sign that voter interest was high.

Both Republican State Sen. Bryan Hughes and Democratic challenger Audrey Spanko say they’re ready to fight for East Texans at the statehouse.

Keven Ellis said he wants his work on the State Board of Education to be focused on the education of students, not the politics of adults. Brenda Davis said she believes her teaching background makes her a good choice for the board.

Hank Gilbert, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress District 1, said he wants to be a voice for every resident in the district, which is why he is running for office.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, has won re-election to the 1st Congressional District each time since November 2004 and says he has strong feelings this election about the direction the country is headed.

Early voting has begun in Panola County, with local, state and national races on the ballots.

Carthage ISD has rescheduled a bond meeting to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Carthage ISD administration building. At the meeting, school officials will present information about the bond proposal, its impact on the tax rate and more while answering questions from the community. The public is invited.

Panola County commissioners approved the 2020 Help American Vote Act (HAVA) Election Security Sub-Grant to Texas Counties during their Tuesday meeting.

Update, 10/13/20: Bryan Pauley let the Panola Watchman know Oct. 12 that he decided to continue campaigning and running for the board since it was too late to officially withdraw from the election. Below is the portion of the article originally written from his interview and removed before print.

Two candidates are vying for the Place 1 seat on the Gary ISD Board of Trustees — incumbent Cody Pierce and challenger Sandra Dixon.

Two candidates are vying for the Place 4 seat on the Panola College Board of Trustees: Incumbent Hal Palmer and challenger Mark Roberson.

A voter registration event is being held Saturday, Sept. 26 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the A. L. Turner Community Center in Carthage.

Beckville ISD voters will choose a Place 5 school board member in the November elections.

If passed, Carthage ISD’s proposed $12 million bond would provide money for maintenance and technology needs while keeping the tax rate the same.

Panola County has updated its election website and is working to improve accessibility after it was made aware of a federal complaint filed by Disability Rights Texas earlier this month.