Both Precinct 2 commissioner Republican candidates said they had hoped their primary would not result in a runoff, but both also said they were not surprised by the result.

In that race, incumbent John Matthews filed for re-election. He faced Burleson residents Eddy Bransom and Kenny Howell. No Democratic challengers entered the race.

Matthews had also faced Bransom in his 2006 re-election bid.

None of the candidates collected the required majority in Tuesday’s primary, forcing a runoff between Bransom and Matthews.

“I went into the primary expecting a runoff,” Matthews said. “I had two capable opponents, both well respected in the community. I knew Bransom from having competed against him last time, and Kenny Howell really just got out there and worked tirelessly.”

Bransom also said he’s not surprised the race resulted in a runoff situation.

“I was hoping, of course, that it wouldn’t, but I kind of expected it,” Bransom said. “I’m not sure what to expect now. I’ll just keep working and hope to get enough support to get in.”

Matthews expressed similar thoughts.

“I appreciate that both opponents ran clean campaigns,” Matthews said. “At this point, I’ll just continue to campaign like I have for the last five or six months. I feel confident, but know I have a lot of work in front of me because I know Eddy Bransom has a lot of name recognition.

“The drawback for both of us is that turnout for runoff elections tends to be historically low. It will probably help us some that CD-17 also has a runoff.”

Five Republicans entered the Congressional District 17 primary. Because none collected a majority of votes, candidates Rob Curnock and Bill Flores will face one another in a runoff.

“At this point, I just have to get back out there,” Bransom said. “It’s just like starting the campaign over and reminding everyone to show up and vote because a lot of people think they voted once, and that’s it. They don’t always realize you have to show up and vote again.”

Matthews ran on his experience and said the role of a county commissioner has changed substantially, becoming more complex over the last 20 years.

In addition to addressing local concerns, Matthews said he’s been able to promote and lobby for Johnson County regionally and statewide in part through his membership on the executive boards of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Tarrant Regional Transportation Council.

“The important thing there is that you have to be elected to those boards, and that doesn’t automatically carry over if someone new comes into office,” Matthews said. “Being on those boards has given me the opportunity to come to the table to voice the opinions and needs of Johnson County. I think it also helped us expedite the Texas 121 project.”

Plans call for extending Texas 121 from Fort Worth to Cleburne.

“It’s also something that would be a shame for Johnson County to lose a voice in because the council of government’s board administers all the federal programs for our 16-county region, which is the third largest metropolitan region in the nation,” Matthews said.

Bransom said he understands that the role of the modern commissioner involves more than just maintaining roads and bridges.

He said he believes his business experience has prepared him for all facets of the office.

“From talking to residents, it’s clear that a lot of them don’t feel Matthews is doing his job well enough,” Bransom said. “If I’m elected I’d approach the job a little differently, with a more hands-on, open-door policy.”

Popularity: 1% [?]