Big changes are coming to Potter County government, and regardless of who wins Tuesday's general election, the Commissioners Court will look considerably different when the new year begins.
Three of the five seats on the court will have new faces in January 2027, marking a significant shakeup in the leadership of one of the Texas Panhandle's most important local governments.
Two incumbent commissioners were defeated in the March Republican and Democratic primaries, while longtime Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner is retiring from office.
That means a majority of the court's membership will change, bringing new leadership to a county government responsible for managing taxpayer dollars, maintaining infrastructure, overseeing county departments, and making decisions that directly affect Potter County residents.
For voters who have followed county politics over the years, the changes represent one of the biggest shifts in local leadership in recent memory.
Voters Send Two Incumbent Commissioners Packing
The shakeup began during the March 3 primary elections, when voters in two Potter County precincts decided it was time for someone new.
In Precinct 2, Republican challenger Jeff Raef narrowly defeated incumbent Commissioner Blair Schaffer.
Raef, a businessman and truck driver, received 51.33% of the vote compared to Schaffer's 48.67%, according to unofficial election night results.
The outcome was particularly notable because Schaffer had been seeking another term on the court. Instead, Republican primary voters handed Raef a narrow victory.
Following the primary, there was some speculation that Schaffer's wife might enter the race as a write-in candidate. However, she did not file, leaving Raef without an opponent in November.
With no Democratic challenger or declared write-in opponent, Raef is positioned to become Potter County's next Precinct 2 commissioner.
His arrival will bring a different professional background to the court, replacing Schaffer, a firefighter, with someone whose experience includes business and trucking.
Precinct 4 Race Still Up for Grabs
The situation in Precinct 4 is different.
Democratic incumbent Warren Coble Sr. was defeated in the March primary by Timothy W. Gassaway, who received 55.18% of the vote compared to Coble's 44.82%.
The primary defeat ended Coble's opportunity to seek another term as the Democratic nominee.
However, unlike the Precinct 2 contest, voters in Precinct 4 still have a decision to make.
Gassaway faces Republican Jose Perez in Tuesday's general election.
The race gives voters a choice between two candidates seeking to replace Coble and represent the precinct for the next four years.
While the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is already clear: Precinct 4 will have a new commissioner when the next term begins.
The contest also carries political significance because it will determine whether Republicans gain another seat on the Commissioners Court or Democrats retain representation from Precinct 4.
In a five-member governing body, a single seat can make a difference when commissioners disagree over budgets, spending priorities, county services, or other policy decisions.
Nancy Tanner's Retirement Opens County Judge Position
Perhaps the most significant leadership change involves the county judge's office.
Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner is retiring, opening the door for a new countywide leader.
Tanner's departure means voters will choose a new person to preside over Commissioners Court meetings and help guide county government.
Republican Michelle Eggleston and Democrat Jerri Glover are competing for the position in Tuesday's election.
Unlike commissioners, who are elected by voters within individual precincts, the county judge is elected countywide.
The position is one of the most influential in Potter County government.
Although the title includes the word judge, the office involves much more than courtroom matters. The county judge serves as a member of the Commissioners Court, helps direct county policy, and participates in decisions involving the budget and county operations.
The judge also has one vote on the five-member court, just like each commissioner.
That makes the election between Eggleston and Glover particularly important as the county prepares for a leadership transition.
Whoever wins will enter office alongside at least two other new members, creating a different governing dynamic from the one Potter County residents have seen in recent years.
What Will the New Commissioners Court Look Like?
When the new terms begin January 1, 2027, Potter County's Commissioners Court will have at least three new members.
The expected lineup includes Jeff Raef in Precinct 2, the winner of the Gassaway-Perez contest in Precinct 4, and the winner of the Eggleston-Glover race for county judge.
Meanwhile, Precinct 1 Commissioner H.R. Kelly and Precinct 3 Commissioner John Coffee will remain on the court.
That means Kelly and Coffee will provide some continuity as the newly elected officials adjust to their responsibilities.
The changes could also influence how the court approaches its work.
New members often arrive with different priorities, professional experiences, and ideas about government spending. They may also bring different approaches to working with county departments and responding to constituents.
Whether those differences produce major policy changes remains to be seen.
What is certain is that the court will enter 2027 with a new majority of its members.
Why These Local Elections Matter
County commissioner elections do not always receive the same attention as races for governor, Congress, or the Texas Legislature.
But the decisions made at the county level can have a direct impact on residents.
Potter County commissioners help establish the county budget, set property tax rates, oversee county roads, and determine funding for departments and services.
Those responsibilities include making financial decisions that affect law enforcement, courts, public facilities, and other county operations.
Commissioners also must balance competing requests for funding while considering the impact of county taxes on property owners.
Those responsibilities can become especially challenging when operating costs rise or county departments request additional resources.
For residents, the makeup of the Commissioners Court can influence how those challenges are handled.
A new majority does not automatically mean dramatic changes, but it does create opportunities for different priorities and approaches to emerge.
The incoming officials will have to work with the two returning commissioners to make decisions affecting the entire county.
And while political party affiliations may play a role in elections, the everyday work of county government frequently centers on practical questions involving money, personnel, infrastructure, and public services.
Election Day Will Set the Direction for 2027
With early voting now complete, Potter County voters have one final opportunity to cast their ballots in the November 3 general election.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters in Precinct 4 will decide between Gassaway and Perez, while voters throughout Potter County will select the next county judge.
The results will determine the final makeup of a Commissioners Court already guaranteed to undergo substantial change.
For Potter County residents, the election is about more than replacing familiar names with new ones.
It is about choosing the people who will help determine how county government operates, how taxpayer money is spent, and which priorities receive attention over the next several years.
By the time the new year arrives, Potter County will have a different leadership team making those decisions.
