GRAYSON CO., TX -- Voters in Grayson County turned their attention tonight to some local races. More than a hundred people showed up for a candidate debate.

It was a full house at the Grayson County Courthouse where locals listened and watched candidates for County Sheriff, Commissioner and GOP Chairmen go head-to-head giving reasons why they think they are the best for the position.

Debate organizers say they put on the event to give community members a chance to hear where the contestants stand so that way they can make an educated vote.

The race for County Sheriff was one of the most anticipated debates as Johnny Waldrip, David Hawley, and Brent Adams went up against current Sheriff Keith Gary who has been in office for more than 15 years.

Each candidate believes they are more than qualified for the position, and have plans to further improve Grayson County.

"First off is try to improve the morale. Try to get everybody invested into the department as opposed to just going to work and working kind of being micro-managed," Adams said.

"I would like it to where, in order to, make it to where the citizen would feel safer with a few more deputies out there without costing the taxpayers," Hawley said.

"We're going to have to get more people out. I only have three officers out at a time on patrol to cover a county this big so i'm going to have to work with the commissioners court and convince them to give me more people," Gary said.

"It's time for a new vision and a new direction," Waldrip said. "I'm going to put more people on the roads. We need more deputies out there."

The official election date is still uncertain due to redistricting maps still being redrawn. The tentative date for the Texas Primary is set for April the 3rd, and while it looks like the race will be close between those running for sheriff candidates are using the extra time to step up their campaign.