Candidates fill the ballot ahead of Monday’s filing deadline

Travis County Precinct 3 Constable Sally Hernandez filed to run for sheriff in East Austin on Friday. Hernandez joined fellow Democrats Don Rios and Todd Radford in the quest to replace current Sheriff Greg Hamilton. Republican Joe Martinez has also filed his candidacy in the race. Conspicuously absent from the ballot so far are declared candidate John Sisson and Hamilton himself, who has teased his interest in seeking re-election. Both men have until the end of Monday to officially enter the race. Meanwhile, the campaign for retiring County Commissioner Ron Davis’ Precinct 1 seat is officially a three-man competition. James Nortey also filed his candidacy at Democratic Party headquarters on Friday, joining Arthur Sampson and James Travillion. Richard Franklin III is also expected to join the race as a Democrat, though no Republican has expressed interest in seeking to represent northeast Travis County on the Commissioners Court. The same cannot be said for western Travis County, where incumbent Commissioner Gerald Daugherty is officially set to face off against fellow Republican Jason Nassour. Democrat David Holmes appears to have an opening to keep his political powder dry through the primary, pending the last-minute appearance of an opponent. Meanwhile, five people have joined the effort to fill outgoing state Rep. Elliott Naishtat’s District 49 seat. As of Friday, Mathew Shrum, Huey Rey Fischer, Heather Way, Aspen Dunaway and Gina Hinojosa have officially entered the race. Naishtat himself filed but has since recanted his ambitions to seek a 14th term.