Wheeler County, TX – Wheeler County’s March primary ballot is continuing to take shape as another candidate has stepped forward to run for county judge.

Chalone Hefley announced she is seeking the Republican nomination for the office, joining previously declared candidate Ike Finsterwald. Current County Judge Pat McDowell announced earlier this fall that he will not pursue a second term.

Hefley, a Wheeler County resident, said she and her husband Darren chose to raise their three children in the county where his family has farmed and ranched nearly a century. Along with her in-town job, she helps care for the family’s cattle operation.

Hefley graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Texas A&M University and holds a master’s degree in agriculture with a focus on plant, soil, and environmental science. She has worked nearly 30 years as a legal assistant or paralegal with experience in office management and accounting. Since 2017 she has managed the Wheeler branch of Shelton Title Companies Inc. and Shelton & Shelton Lawyers.

She is a member of Cornerstone Church, serves on the praise and worship team, and has been active in the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce for nine years. Hefley has served on the chamber’s board and as secretary for the past three years, and was named 2024 Volunteer of the Year for community beautification efforts.

In her announcement, Hefley said the county judge’s job requires full-time commitment and should be approached as a position of service. She said she wants to work with county and city officials, schools, fire departments, and local hospitals to strengthen organization and financial stability. She added that her goal is to help unify the county and serve residents with humility and integrity.

Voters may contact her at chalone.hefley@yahoo.com

with questions or concerns.

Hefley’s entry into the race follows Judge McDowell’s decision not to seek reelection. McDowell called his service “an honor, privilege, and a blessing,” but said he does not plan to hold a full-time job into his seventies. He cited the county’s shrinking tax base and the need for continued financial discipline. He will complete his current term, which ends December 31, 2026.

Finsterwald, a lifelong Wheeler County resident, previously announced his candidacy. His family has lived and worked in the county for more than 130 years. Finsterwald farms and ranches and has served on the Wheeler County Appraisal Board for 20 years. He is vice president of the Wheeler ISD School Board and is a member of the Wheeler County Farm Bureau Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University.

Finsterwald said he is grateful to have been raised in Wheeler County and wants the opportunity to serve its residents as county judge.

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