Early voting for the midterm elections ends Friday, and election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Most local races were decided in the March primary and some in the May runoff, but several remain on the ballot.
In Shepherd, Mayor Charles Minton faces a challenge from William "Billy" Lacoste for the mayor's seat, and Alderman Yvonne Ryba Cones is running unopposed. Write-in candidate James Crowson has filed to run against Precinct 2 County Commissioner Donny Marrs. Several Willis school district board positions are also up for election.
Statewide, Republican Ken Paxton is challenged by Democrat James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has three challengers. Sample ballots are posted on the San Jacinto County elections website. Early voting is at the Election Administration Building, 51 E. Pine Ave., in Coldspring.