Former district attorney Jim Wheeler has filed to get his old job back and will challenge Angela Albers for the position in the March 1 Republican primary.

Wood County will also have contested primary elections on the GOP side for county judge, two county commissioners and one justice of the peace.

Wheeler resigned in October 2018 following an investigation that he sexually harassed a fellow county employee.

Albers, who was serving as first assistant DA, was subsequently appointed as DA and then won the remaining two years of the term in 2020. It was later revealed that Albers was the one who made the sexual harassment allegation. Wheeler’s resignation came in lieu of prosecution.

County Commissioners Jerry Gaskill in Precinct Two and Russell Acker in Precinct Four are seeking reelection.

Both drew challengers. Sten Langsjoen, an attorney from Golden, filed for Precinct Two, and James Whitehurst, who works for the city of Winnsboro utility department, filed in Precinct Four.

Also in Precinct Two Brian Smale has filed for commissioner as an independent.

County Judge Lucy Hebron is seeking a second term and again faces Kevin White, who also ran four years ago.

Three of the four incumbent justices of the peace have filed for reelection: Tony Gilbreath in Precinct One, Janae Holland in Precinct Two and Jerry Parker in Precinct Three. Parker has drawn a challenge from former constable Gary Dixon.

Jody Hettich has filed for the Precinct Four justice of the peace slot, with incumbent Cindy Weems not seeking reelection.

County Clerk Kelley Price faces no opposition for reelection.

Two other new office holders will be seated as the lone candidates for those offices, as Suzy Richards Wright  has filed for district clerk and Daphne Carter has filed for county treasurer.

District Clerk Donna Huston has submitted her resignation effective Dec. 31, and Treasurer Becky Burford did not seek reelection.

The county’s state and U.S. representatives have also filed for reelection, Cole Hefner and Lance Gooden, along with State Sen. Bryan Hughes. Gooden has a Democratic opponent, Kathleen Cordelia Bailey of Dallas. Hefner faces a primary challenge from Dewey Collier, and Hughes drew no opposition from either party.

Wood County Republican Party Chairman Janna Castloo is also unopposed for reelection.

No Democrats filed locally.