Dennis Phillips publisher@robconews.com Robertson County News FRANKLIN — Robertson County voters cast their ballots in the March 3 primary election, determining several party nominees and setting up key Republican runoff contests that will decide who advances to the November general election. According to unofficial election totals reported by the Robertson County Elections Office, 3,725 ballots were cast out of 12,626 registered voters, producing a 29.50 percent voter turnout for the primary election. Several county offices were decided outright due to unopposed candidates, while a pair of commissioner races drew enough candidates to force runoff elections after no contender secured a majority of the vote. On the Republican side, multiple countywide offices were effectively decided in the primary due to a lack of opposition. Incumbent County Judge Joe David Scarpinato secured the Republican nomination, along with District Clerk Barbara W. Axtell and County Clerk Stephanie M. Sanders. Mindy Brewer Turner also secured the Republican nomination for County Treasurer, while Bryan F. “Rusty” Russ Jr. claimed the party nomination for judge of the 82nd District Court. Several justice of the peace positions also saw unopposed Republican nominees advance. Carla Barker secured the nomination for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Ramona Aguirre took the nomination for Precinct 2, and Melanie Green advanced as the Republican nominee for Precinct 3. Two Republican commissioner races will now move to runoff elections. In the Republican primary for County Commissioner Precinct 2, Rodney Hancock and Wallace M. Johnson finished as the top two vote-getters and will face each other in the runoff election. Candidates James E. Shear and David R. Stratta were eliminated from contention in the initial primary vote. A second runoff will determine the Republican nominee for County Commissioner Precinct 4. Casey Czajkowski and Gerald Yezak emerged as the top two candidates and will advance to the runoff ballot. Democratic voters had fewer contested races on their ballot, but still selected nominees for two local offices. James Taylor secured the Democratic nomination for County Commissioner Precinct 4. Taylor will face the eventual Republican nominee in the November general election following the GOP runoff. Fredrick Webber claimed the Democratic nomination for Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 and is expected to face Republican candidate Debbie Zan in the November election. Because no Democratic primary races in Robertson County featured multiple candidates, no Democratic runoff elections were triggered. Runoff elections in Texas are required when no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in a primary contest. The top two candidates then face each other in a runoff to determine the party’s official nominee. Those runoff contests will determine the Republican challengers for two key local races on the November ballot, including the County Commissioner Precinct 4 seat that will be contested by Democratic nominee Taylor. With the primary results now finalized, attention will turn toward the upcoming runoff elections and preparations for the November general election, when county voters will ultimately decide several local offices. ROBERTSON COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS March 3, 2026 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY County Commissioner – Precinct 4 James Taylor — Winner Justice of the Peace – Precinct 4 Fredrick Webber — Winner REPUBLICAN PRIMARY County Judge Joe David Scarpinato — Winner District Clerk Barbara W. Axtell — Winner County Clerk Stephanie M. Sanders — Winner County Treasurer Mindy Brewer Turner — Winner 82nd District Court Judge Bryan F. “Rusty” Russ Jr. — Winner Justice of the Peace – Precinct 1 Carla Barker — Winner Justice of the Peace – Precinct 2 Ramona Aguirre — Winner Justice of the Peace – Precinct 3 Melanie Green — Winner REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFFS County Commissioner – Precinct 2 Rodney Hancock Wallace M. Johnson Defeated: James E. Shear, David R. Stratta County Commissioner – Precinct 4 Casey Czajkowski Gerald Yezak GENERAL ELECTION MATCHUPS (NOVEMBER) County Commissioner – Precinct 4 James Taylor (D) vs. Republican Runoff Winner Justice of the Peace – Precinct 4 Fredrick Webber (D) vs. Debbie Zan (R)