By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Two more persons have filed for places on the ballot of the March 2026 Republican Party
Primary Election.
Val Verde County Republican Party Chair Sharon Petitt told The 830 Times Tuesday she
has accepted two additional applications from candidates seeking election to county
offices in 2026.
Petitt on Tuesday accepted ballot applications from John Randel Dissler and from John
Ingram Wardlaw.
Dissler indicated on his application he will seek election to the office of Justice of the
Peace Pct. 2.
Dissler was appointed by Val Verde County Commissioners Court to serve as the Pct. 2
Justice of the Peace in May, following the death of the elected judge, Antonio “Tony”
Faz III, in April.
Dissler owns and operates Hinds Well Service and also served in the United States
Border Patrol for 20 years.
Wardlaw’s application indicates he will seek election to the office of Val Verde County
Commissioner Pct. 4. On his application, Wardlaw lists his occupation as teacher.
Wardlaw and Dissler will first seek the Republican Party nomination, which will be
decided in the March 3, 2026 primary election.
If Wardlaw becomes the Republican Party’s nominee, he will face the Democratic Party
nominee for Pct. 4 county commissioner in the November general election. Currently the
Pct. 4 county commissioner office is held by Gustavo “Gus” Flores. As of Wednesday
morning, Flores had not filed for re-election to the office.
If Dissler becomes the Republican Party nominee, he will face a Democratic Party
opponent in November. One person has already filed for the Democratic Party primary
for the seat.
Filing for county offices up for election in 2026 began Saturday and will end at 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 8.
Prospective Republican Party candidates are asked to contact Petitt at 830-719-4801 or
830-734-7391.
Prospective Democratic Party candidates are asked to contact Val Verde County
Democratic Party Chair Rosalinda Hernandez at 830-734-5313.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
