More than 100 people came to the candidate meet-and-greet/debate Monday night. The event featured the three candidates for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 –Judge Jerry Parker, incumbent, Lee Whisenhunt, and Tyler Turrentine – as well as the two candidates for District Attorney (DA), incumbent Angela Albers and Sarah Bailey King.

Audience members had the opportunity to submit questions to candidates before the debate began.

Albers spoke first. Her discussions tended to focus on her experience, incumbency, and personal values; as Albers mentioned several times, she runs on the platform of a Christian who is a dedicated conservative.

“There’s nothing you could say to convince me to become a Democrat – nothing – because it’s in my soul, it’s in my being,” said Albers. “I view this as a calling, not a job.”

While the candidates took turns speaking, Sarah Bailey King spoke next. King’s platform was largely focused on her “concerns… in the current regime,” noting that “there’s a lot of things that I have questions about,” and often bringing up what she felt was a crawl or standstill on Wood County legal cases.

One audience member asked King to “share the specific moment or experience that made you realize your core values were now more closely aligned with the Republican platform than the Democrat platform.”

“Well, I’ve always considered myself a social – a fiscal Conservative,” said King. “I’ll be very frank with you: it’s the only way you can get elected in here. I would have loved to have run as an Independent.”

Whisenhunt focused on his heavy background in law enforcement, which he said has been for over 23 years. According to him, he has completed over 8,300 hours of law enforcement training. He is currently the Environmental Deputy for Wood County under the Sheriff’s Department.

“My decisions are based on law, and it’s based on facts, and it’s based on evidence,” said Whisenhunt. “That’s where I will be if I am elected into the Justice of the Peace.”

Judge Parker focused on his incumbency and record. 

“The only people who have complained about me, or said things about me, have been the ones who have been found guilty,” he said.

Turrentine, who has a background as an electrician, focused on bringing fresh eyes to the office as well as a system of increased visibility.

“I think what qualifies me is no experience,” said Turrentine. “In my opinion, it is an opportunity to educate people on what the office does, be visible, and be willing to get out there and work.”