Potter County voters will choose a new county judge this November, bringing an end to more than a decade of leadership under Judge Nancy Tanner and ushering in a new chapter for county government.
Republican Michelle Eggleston and Democrat Jerri Glover are competing for the position in the Nov. 3 general election. Both candidates advanced without opposition in their respective March primaries, setting up a contest between two women with different professional backgrounds but some similar concerns about the county's future.
Tanner, who is completing her third term, decided not to seek reelection. Her departure comes as Potter County faces financial pressures, questions about its aging jail, public safety staffing needs and concerns about population decline.
The election is also part of a larger shakeup in county government. At least three of the five seats on the Potter County Commissioners Court will have new occupants next year, including the county judge's position.
What does the Potter County judge actually do?
Despite the title, the Potter County judge's job involves much more than presiding over legal proceedings.
The county judge leads the five-member Commissioners Court, which oversees county spending, establishes the property tax rate and makes decisions affecting everything from roads and public safety to county facilities and employee compensation.
The judge also handles certain probate, guardianship and mental health matters. In Potter County, the position carries responsibility for preparing the county budget alongside the county auditor and coordinating emergency management and disaster response.
That combination of administrative and judicial duties makes the office one of the most influential positions in local government.
Michelle Eggleston: Republican candidate
Eggleston, 61, is a longtime Amarillo-area attorney who has spent more than three decades practicing law, including over 20 years working on cases in Potter County Court.
Eggleston earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Oklahoma Christian College, now Oklahoma Christian University, and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.
She operates Eggleston & Eggleston P.C. and has lived in Potter County for nearly 20 years, raising her family and building a legal practice with her husband, Jeff.
Her professional background is a central part of her campaign. Eggleston argues that her experience handling probate and guardianship cases would allow her to step into the judicial responsibilities of the office with relatively little adjustment.
But she is also emphasizing the administrative side of county government.
One of Eggleston's biggest campaign promises is developing a comprehensive 10-year plan to guide Potter County's decisions on spending, infrastructure, public safety and economic growth.
She has identified the county jail as a particularly pressing issue, arguing that officials must carefully weigh the facility's needs against the financial burden any major improvements could place on taxpayers.
Eggleston also wants stronger support for sheriff's deputies, corrections officers and firefighters, including attention to staffing and compensation.
Her approach emphasizes conservative budgeting, government accountability and making sure existing services receive adequate funding before the county takes on additional commitments.
Beyond her legal practice, Eggleston has served organizations including the Don Harrington Discovery Center, Amarillo Education Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She also serves on Oklahoma Christian University's Board of Trustees.
Eggleston has never held elected office.
Her campaign website is [michelleforpottercountyjudge.com](https://www.michelleforpottercountyjudge.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Jerri Glover: Democratic candidate
Glover, 58, is a professional mediator who operates Open Door Mediation and has built her career around conflict resolution, communication and helping people navigate difficult decisions.
She holds a bachelor's degree in management studies from the University of Maryland University College, earned while attending the institution at Yokota Air Base in Japan.
Glover is also a credentialed Distinguished Mediator through the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association and holds the Distinguished Toastmaster designation.
Unlike Eggleston, whose campaign centers heavily on courtroom experience, Glover is emphasizing her ability to bring people together, manage competing interests and develop practical solutions to complicated problems.
Glover has identified three major priorities: expanding Potter County's tax base, improving government systems and creating a long-range plan for future growth.
She believes the county should explore opportunities involving housing, industry and technology to attract investment and strengthen its financial position.
Another major focus is county employee compensation.
Glover has called for a comprehensive review of salaries and benefits to determine whether Potter County can compete with neighboring counties and other jurisdictions of similar size.
She argues that retaining experienced employees and attracting qualified applicants will require competitive compensation, even as the county works through budget limitations.
Her community involvement includes leadership roles with Panhandle Breast Health, the Amarillo NAACP and Toastmasters. She has also participated in neighborhood planning and professional mediation organizations.
Glover has not previously held elected office.
In her candidate questionnaire, Glover described the transition following Tanner's retirement as an opportunity to preserve what is working while addressing the county's financial and administrative challenges.
Where the candidates agree — and where they differ
Although Eggleston and Glover represent different political parties, their campaigns share several themes.
Both believe Potter County needs a long-term strategy rather than continuing to address financial and infrastructure problems as they arise.
Both have also raised concerns about the county's declining population and limited revenue, recognizing that a shrinking tax base could make it increasingly difficult to maintain essential services.
Their differences become clearer when examining their professional backgrounds and immediate priorities.
Eggleston points to her legal experience, particularly probate and guardianship work, as preparation for the office's judicial responsibilities. She has placed particular emphasis on the county jail, public safety and responsible spending.
Glover is highlighting mediation, organizational leadership and collaboration. Her priorities include employee compensation, economic development and building stronger systems for county government.
Neither candidate has previously served in elected office, meaning voters will be selecting someone new to political leadership regardless of the outcome.
A changing political landscape in Potter County
The county judge's race is unfolding during a significant transition on the Commissioners Court.
In the March Republican primary, Precinct 2 Commissioner Blair Schaffer lost to challenger Jeff Raef by just 17 votes. Raef faces no Democratic opponent in November.
Meanwhile, Precinct 4 Commissioner Warren Coble Sr. lost the Democratic primary to Timothy Gassaway, who will face Republican Jose Perez in the general election.
Those changes mean the next county judge will work with a court that includes multiple newly elected members.
Historically, Republicans have enjoyed a substantial advantage in Potter County's countywide elections.
In the 2020 county attorney race, Republican Scott Brumley defeated Democrat Ryan Brown with approximately 71.6% of the vote.
However, the March 2026 primaries showed participation in both parties' county judge contests.
Eggleston received 6,124 votes in the Republican primary, while Glover received 3,010 votes in the Democratic primary. Both ran unopposed, so those totals reflect primary participation rather than a head-to-head comparison.
What's at stake in November?
The next Potter County judge will inherit decisions that could shape local government for years.
How should the county address the needs of its aging jail? Can officials improve compensation for public safety employees without placing additional pressure on taxpayers? What can Potter County do to attract residents, businesses and investment?
Those questions will not disappear after Election Day.
Eggleston is asking voters to trust her decades of legal experience and her promise of conservative, long-term financial planning. Glover is making the case that her background in mediation and organizational leadership can help the county find solutions through collaboration and strategic growth.
With Tanner preparing to leave office and several new faces headed to Commissioners Court, voters are choosing more than a replacement for the county's top elected official.
