Fannin County, Texas -- The importance of the 2026 Fannin County Republican Primary wasn't lost on the approximately 100 county residents who braved icy roads and a wind chill in the single digits to attend the Fannin County Republican Party County Candidate Forum on Saturday morning, January 31 at the Roy Floyd Community Center.
The forum served as an introduction to the candidates (listed below) and allowed a side-by-side comparison in the contested races for county judge, county treasurer, commissioners for precinct 2 and precinct 4, and JP for precinct 2.
Additional forums are scheduled for Thursday, February 5 in Honey Grove and Sunday, February 8 in Leonard.
Texas is one of 15 states that have "open primaries" which means a voter does not have to be a registered member of a party to participate in its primary.
The last day to register to vote is Monday, February 2, 2026 and early voting begins Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Although there is a statewide delay in mailing new voter registration cards, voters are allowed to present an acceptable government-issued photo ID.
Candidates
Four candidates are now vying for county judge after Jim Simpson withdrew from the race. A drawing was held, December 17, 2026 to determine the order in which names will appear on the ballot. County judge candidates' names will be listed in the following order:
John Tynan
H. Compton
Newt Cunningham
Bill Carey
Jim Simpson
Two candidates have filed to run for Pct. 2 commissioner. Their names will be listed in this order:
Brandon Wallace
Jimmie Allred
Two candidates have filed to run for Pct. 4 commissioner. Their names will be listed in this order:
Doug Kopf
Mike Keene
Two candidates have filed to run for county treasurer. Their names will be listed in this order:
Dale McQueen
Derek Moore
Two candidates have filed to run for Justice of the Peace for Pct. 2. Their names will be listed in this order:
Paul Ivy
Mark Buchanan
Fannin County Court at Law Judge Charles Butler is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
Other incumbents running unopposed include April Gibbs, Fannin County District Clerk; Jenny Garner, Fannin County Clerk; Louise Goodwater, Justice of the Peact, Pct. 1; and Kenneth "Kenny" Karl, Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3.
