SHERMAN, TX - Two Grayson County Commissioners seats are among the dozens in our area up for grabs during this years election. Josh Stevenson updates us on the Republicans running for commissioner during this year's primary election.

When Grayson County Commissioner Gene Short announced he would not be seeking re-election for County Commissioner Precinct 4, Bart Lawrence was ready to run.

"I have been anticipating this for over 8 years," Lawrence says.

Lawrence is involved in a variety of community service organizations, but he says it is business experience that will help him succeed as a county commissioner.

"I have been in business for over 35 years, and I think I can take that local business experience and help the taxpayers of Grayson County."

Lawrence is one of two Republicans running for the position of County Commissioner, Precinct 4. The other is Mike Springer, who has worked for the Denison Independent School District for 34 years.

"There are a lot of similarities dealing with public funds from the schools as with the county, and so I got interested in it, and I am going to give it my best shot," Springer says.

Springer says that he wants to bring a new spirit of cooperation to the Commissioners Court.

"I have always worked as a team and as an individual. With only 5 people voting, you have to be a team member," Springer says.

Whichever candidate wins the primary would then face unopposed Democratic candidate Mike Brady in November's general election.

In Precinct 2, Commissioner David Whitlock says he's not done working for the voters yet.

"I would love to continue to be the Precinct 2 Commissioner, I sure would," he says.

Commissioner Whitlock says that while the answer to the question of future of the Grayson County Jail hasn't been solved yet, there are many positive things the current court has been able to do. One of those is the continuing expansion of the North Texas Regional Airport.

"That airport is going to be a plus. It has been a long long road to get it where it is today, but it is going to be a plus," Whitlock says.

This primary, Commissioner Whitlock has a Republican opponent.

"My name is Martin McLain. I am running for County Commissioner, Precinct 2."

McLain says he is for lowering taxes and for getting the community more involved, especially when it comes to issues like the Grayson County Jail.

"I think the add-on to the jail is more feasible than a private jail. I think the citizens need to be more included, and we need to have meeting at a time when everyone can attend," McLain says.

The winner of the Republican primary will then face Democrat Roy Fuller in November.