By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Two hotly contested Ellis County Commission races will likely be decided in the August primary election.
Following the deadline earlier this month for candidates to file for two county commission districts up for election this fall, there were a total of six Republican candidates who filed the necessary paperwork.
According to election documents. Republicans Michael Berges of Hays and Jim Pfeifer of Ellis filed to run for the Ellis County Commission District No. 1 seat.
The seat is currently held by commission chair Butch Schlyer, who confirmed earlier this month he would not seek re-election.
The First District represents a portion of Hays and the northwest part of Ellis County, including the city of Ellis.
There are four candidates vying for the Third District seat on the county commission.
Joe Leroux of Victoria was appointed in January to the seat for the rest of the year, after then-Commissioner Dean Haselhorst resigned.
Leroux has filed for re-election and will face fellow Republicans Nathan Leiker, Randy Marintzer and Chris McGowne, all of Hays.
The Third District is the largest in land size of the three county commission districts. It is made up of six townships, which includes the entire eastern edge of Ellis County and an area north of Hays.
The winner of the race in the Third District will serve a two-year term.
The winner of both districts in the primary election could face challenges from independent candidates in the November general election.