February 2026

Holly Taylor has announced her candidacy in the Democratic Primary for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9. She is a candidate for Texas’s top criminal court, the Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA).

Perla Muñoz Hopkins is an AMERICA FIRST, TEXAS FIRST CONSERVATIVE PATRIOT running to be your next Lieutenant Governor of the Great State of Texas. She is a Christian, mother of three adult children, a military spouse of 25 years, children’s book author, Air Force veteran, has earned three master’s degrees in Education, and serves as volunteer Policy and Parental Rights Advocate.

Forrest E. Lumpkin III has announced his candidacy for District 5 United States House of Representatives in the Democratic Primary.

“My name is Richard Schmidt, and I am seeking the office of Criminal District Attorney,” said Richard Schmidt. “I am a native Texan who served four years in the U.S. Army before attending college under the G.I. Bill, later graduating from law school and becoming a lawyer in 2004. Since then, my family and I have lived and worked in Van Zandt County, and my children attended Canton schools each step of the way and graduated recently.

“It has been an honor to serve as your Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney,” said Tonda Curry. “I am seeking re-election so that my team and I can continue fighting to keep our community safe. As your District Attorney, I am proud of the positive changes we have brought to criminal justice in VZC.

Joseph Secola is running for Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney with a clear sense of calling to restore integrity, fairness, and accountability to a system that directly affects the safety and liberty of every citizen in VZC.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a continuing series of articles featuring the candidates in the major races in Van Zandt County that will be on the March 3 Primary Election Ballot. This article highlights the race for VZC Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace race that took place recently in the Candidate Debate Forum hosted by the Republican Club of VZC at the Canton Civic Center.

FAITH CAUGHRON Correspondent The Republican Women of Van Zandt County (RWVZC) held their first Candidate Forum at the VZC Farm Bureau Event Center in Canton on Monday, Feb. 9.