By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

ELLIS COUNTY – Both Ellis County Commissioners Barb Wasinger and Dean Haselhorst successfully defended their seats in Tuesday’s Republican Primary earning another four-year term.

Second District Commissioner Wasinger defeated challenger Al Ackerman 646 to 413, 60 to 39-percent.

Wasinger said being elected to a second term means a lot to her.

“I’m glad to get this opportunity to serve Ellis County another four years,” said Wasinger.

She said she wants to continue the path the current commission has set for the future.

“Keeping taxes steady, continuing to run an efficient county and work together as a team.” Wasinger said.

District 3 Commissioner Dean Haselhorst defeated Ron Adams 688 to 367 votes, 65 to 34-percent.

Haselhorst said the past week has been a stressful one.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Haselhorst said “I’ve been waiting for this day for about five days.”

Haselhorst had two new experiences this time around; running against an opponent in the primary and running on the Republican ticket.

He had previously ran as a Democrat and did not face a challenge in the primary. He also switched party affiliation at the end of 2015.

“I was kind of a newcomer on that side,” said Haselhorst but added that he is “excited.”

He said his focus, in the future will be on being more efficient.

“Our goal is to just stay very trim, very slim and work with what we have.”

All four candidates ran as Republicans and Wasinger and Haselhorst will run unopposed in the November general election, barring a write-in campaign.

Voter turnout in Ellis County was 24-percent. According to County Election Officer and Clerk Donna Maskus that is up from 15-percent in the 2012 primary and slightly below the 25-percent turnout in 2008.

Maskus said there are still a small number of provisional ballots left to be counted. But those are not expected to change the outcome of either race.