If Rockwall voters want a say in shaping county government, they shouldn't wait until November.

No Democrats are seeking county offices, so all of the races will be decided in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Two former mayors and a veteran police officer are seeking the open Precinct 3 commissioner's job. And the Precinct 1 commissioner, sheriff and Republican Party chairman all drew challengers.

State District Judge Brett Hall, County Court at Law Judge David Rakow, Tax Assessor-Collector Barbara Barber and Constables Randy Earl Parks and John Cullins are unopposed.

Teresa Tuggle, a private tutor from Fate with no law enforcement experience, is attempting to oust Sheriff Harold Eavenson, who has held the office since 2001.

Ms. Tuggle, 42, said she was bothered by reports of problems in the Sheriff's Department, such as an inmate's suicide last year. She filed to run at the last minute because no other challenger came forward.

"He was going to win by default," Ms. Tuggle said. "He has a lot of law enforcement experience, but he has not been able to correct the problems."

Sheriff Eavenson, 69, spent 18 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety and 21 years performing private-sector security work. He said he runs a professional department and employs a command staff with decades of experience.

"I would put my organization up against anyone anywhere," he said. "Me and my command staff would be happy to sit down with any citizen who has concerns about the sheriff's office."

A sheriff's deputy arrested Ms. Tuggle last year on an evading arrest charge, but prosecutors later dismissed the case. Ms. Tuggle said that the charges were fabricated but that her arrest did not prompt her candidacy.

Former Rockwall Mayor Leon Tuttle, former Heath Mayor Dennis Bailey and Rockwall police Detective Randy Puckett are all counting on experience to propel them into the Precinct 3 commissioner job held since 1997 by Bruce Beaty. Mr. Beaty, a 65-year-old former police chief and former U.S. marshal, announced last year that he would not seek re-election.

If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two will face an April runoff.

All three candidates have vowed to improve roads and control spending.

Mr. Puckett, 55, said his nearly 20 years as a police officer means his point of view more closely resembles that of the average voter. He joined the Rockwall Police Department in 1989 and has been a detective for more than a decade.

"My two opponents come from administrative backgrounds," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that, but we have enough administrators and professional politicians. ... I see it from a working person's perspective."

Mr. Puckett pledges to support law officers and volunteer firefighters and to oppose raises for elected officials and department heads.

Mr. Tuttle, a retired business owner, had three terms as Rockwall mayor and has served on several city boards and as county Republican chairman.

The 69-year-old said his experience in homebuilding and insurance and as mayor would benefit the county. His goals include drafting an ethics policy, presenting reasonable bond proposals to voters and refusing raises for himself.

"I've been very specific about what I would do if elected," Mr. Tuttle said. "I did the same thing when I ran for mayor. I kept every one of my promises then, and I'll keep every one of these if elected."

Mr. Bailey, a private consultant for AT&T, advanced to become a regional vice president for SBC Telecom after starting as a lineman in 1971. He served on Heath's Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council and spent one term as mayor. He now lives in an unincorporated area of the county.

Mr. Bailey, 58, said he wants to initiate more long-range planning. He also cited his relationships with local and state elected officials. "I know the type of cooperation it takes to make things happen in government," he said. "I can use my experience to get immediate solutions."

Incumbent Jerry Wimpee faces a challenger for the first time since his primary victory in 1996. His adversary, Bruce A. Clark, 75, was a candidate in that race, too.

Mr. Clark, a retired urban planner who runs a laser printing business, said he wants to combat runaway taxes, wasteful spending and excessive raises for commissioners.

Mr. Wimpee, 64, said Rockwall faces financial challenges as the state's fastest growing county but maintains the state's lowest per-capita tax rate. He voted against raising his own salary last year, but the county raise measure passed.

Chairman Bill Broderick faces a challenge from former chairwoman Mary Lou Hawkins-Curtis. She is active with the No Higher Taxes Group, which has frequently criticized GOP elected officials.

Early voting ended Friday. On Tuesday, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information on where to vote, visit rockwallcountytexas.com/ea.htm or check Tuesday's Dallas Morning News or dallasnews.com. For more information about the Precinct 3 commissioner candidates, visit their Web sites:

•Dennis Bailey: bailey4rockwallcounty.com

•Leon Tuttle: electleontuttle.com

•Randy Puckett: randypuckett.org

Learn more about those three, as well as Precinct 1 Commissioner Jerry Wimpee, in The Dallas Morning News' online Voter Guide. (Mr. Wimpee's opponent, Bruce A. Clark, didn't submit information for the guide.) Go to dallasnews.com/elections and click on the Voter Guide link on the right side of the page.