Miller, Thompson win seats on Commisioners Court

• Wesley Miller
• Travis Thompson
• Pam Little, incumbent SBOE District 12 seat

Little takes Republican nomination for State Board of Education District 12 seat

The Hopkins County Republican Party Primary Runoff Election for three races ended Tuesday night, May 28, with one incumbent again winning her Party’s nomination For the November General Election, one upset.

Hopkins County Commissioner Precinct 1 Challenger Wesley Mill-er faced incumbent Mickey Barker in the runoff for Precinct 1 Commissioner. In the March 4 race, neither candidate received a clear majority of votes, requiring a runoff election to be held.

Miller received 543 votes (68.47%) to Barker’s 250 (31.53%) and will take office Jan. 1, 2025. A total of 793 votes were cast in the May 28 runoff election, and no undervotes were received.

Barker offers thanks to his supporters, family and friends for all of the votes, support and encouragement they have shown him during his political career running for and serving Hopkins County.

“I don’t yet know which but I know God has a new direction in mind for me,' Barker said. 'Thank you for allowing me to serve as your commissioner these past few years. I feel we have made good strides during that time and some positive improvements for the employees of Hopkins County and, more importantly, for the residents of Hopkins County. Thank you to all who have been supportive, encouraging and who have served alongside me. I am thankful to live in Hopkins County and, although I will not take the oath for another term in January, I fully intend to continue serving and working for Precinct 1 and Hopkins County through the end of my term.”

“I'm grateful for the overwhelming support throughout my campaign and through this election. I’m eager and excited to have this opportunity and will work diligently for the residents of Precinct. 1 and all of Hopkins County,” Miller said.

With no Democratic challenger, Miller will begin his first four-year term as Hopkins County Precinct 1 Commissioner on Jan. 1, 2025.

Hopkins County Commissioner Precinct 3

This race did not have an incumbent, as current Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley is retiring at the end of his current term.

William “Bill” Holden and Travis Thompson entered the race for the seat, but neither candidate earned a clear majority of votes in the March Primary.

In the May Republican Primary Runoff, Thompson received 428 votes (60.28%) to Holden’s 282 (39.72%). One undervote was received in this race.

“I congratulate the two new commissioners elected for Precincts 1 and 3, and look forward to the great things they both will do for our county. I am very excited about their new ideas and zealous attitudes to improve our county roads and work hard for the people of our great county. As for my aspirations to run again, I will leave that to God to make that decision for me as he has done this time. I truly love our city and county and pray for our leaders of the county daily to make the hard decisions that have to be made,' Holden stated following the election.

“Thank you for entrusting me to serve as your next Hopkins County Precinct 3 Commissioner. I am deeply humbled by the love and support shown to me and my family throughout this process. Whether you voted for me or not, I want you to know that I am committed to actively listening and serving you. I will be your voice and represent you accordingly. Let’s come together as one community and begin a new chapter, paving the way for future generations. We are better together; we are Hopkins County! ” Thompson stated Thompson will begin his first four-year term as Pct. 1 Commissioner on Jan. 1, 2025.

All election results remain unofficial until canvassed.

State Board of Education, District 12

In the State Board of Education (SBOE) runoff, incumbent Pam Little and challenger Jamie Kohlmann faced off for the District 12 seat, which includes Bowie, Collin, Cooke, Delta, Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar and Red River Counties, as well as part of Dallas and Denton Counties.

Kohlmann received a total of 712 votes (45.18%) — 29 absentee votes, 320 early votes and 363 votes on voting day, Tuesday, May 28, in Hopkins County.

Little received a total of 864 votes (54.82%) — 52 absentee votes, 402 early votes and 410 votes on voting day n Hopkins County.

A total of 1,576 votes were by Hopkins County voters in this race. There were 247 undervotes, meaning no vote was cast for either candidate.

Across District 12, the result was a bit closer, with Kohlmann receiving 49.17% and Little receiving 50.83% of the 62,695 votes cast in the runoff for the party nomintation.

At just over 50%, that means Little, who was first elected to SBOE in November 2018 and elected vicechair in January 2021 and November 2022, was once again declared the winner of the Republican Party’s nomination and will face Democrat George King for the seat in November. The winner of that race will begin a two-year term on Jan. 1, 2025.

“Thank you for your incredible support in the runoff election. This victory is ours, and I am honored to serve our community. Your trust and dedication made this possible. This victory belongs to those who worked tirelessly to ensure that we would have good, dedicated representation on the State Board of Education for four more years. I am proud to be the Republican nominee this November,” Little stated.

“While we came up just a few votes short (49.2%!), we succeeded in getting tens of thousands more Texans engaged in Reclaiming Education in the Lone Star State. Underscoring just how close this race was, I’m especially proud to have carried the vote in half the counties of District 12 including the largest counties of Dallas, Collin, and Grayson, and others like Cooke, Denton, and Delta. Thank you, voters, ' Kohlmann said, after thanking her family and many supporters, in a statement released Tuesday.

Kohlman too offered congratulations to Pam Little 'for winning a hard fought race. I look forward to seeing her win in November to keep this seat Republican!”