Galveston County voters made their voices heard in the primary elections yesterday with choices that span from local offices up to the presidential primary. The mood was practical as residents selected who will contend for various positions including county sheriff and county constables, shaping the November ballot. As reported by Click2Houston, the polls welcomed voters from 7 a.m. and sent them home at 7 p.m., bookending the day of civic duty.

Among the results, the Republican race for Galveston County sheriff concluded with a victory by Jimmy Fullen, who secured about 57% of the vote against opponent Maj. Ray Nolen. Fullen, a former Galveston County Precinct 2 chief deputy, tapped into his lengthy 35 years of law enforcement experience as he campaigned on issues such as gang violence, narcotics dealings, and school safety. According to the Houston Chronicle, Fullen highlighted his local roots and his dedication to serve his hometown as a major factor in his decision to run.

Fullen's win sets him up for a November face-off against Democrat Mark A. Salinas, who sailed through his primary unopposed. Salinas will be looking to fill the shoes left by Sheriff Henry A. Trochesset who, stepping back from the position, put the sheriff's badge up for contention.

The primaries played their usual role, serving as the gateway to the general elections and allowing voters to voice their choices in one party's primary or participate in a third-party convention if preferred. With crime a key focus in campaign discussions, Fullen has pledged to prioritize mental health issues alongside traditional law enforcement approaches. He plans to increase deputy presence on the streets to address what he calls a rise in crime in the county.