The Race is ON

Though May is still several months away, the closing date to file as a candidate in the May 2018 primary passed last week. There are a few highly contested elections on tap for the May primary, including that of Jefferson County Mayor, Jefferson County Sheriff, County Trustee, Circuit Court Clerk, County Clerk for Jefferson County, and Circuit Court Judge Fourth Judicial Distinct Division 1. Five Candidates returned petitions to run for County Mayor: Bobby Calfee, Rocky Melton, Rachel Niceley, Mark Potts, and Robert Tucker. Melton later withdrew his petition, leaving four candidates on the ballot for the May primary. The winner of the primary race for Jefferson County Mayor will face challenger Mike Dockery in the General Election in August.

Two candidates qualified for the May primary election for the position of Sheriff of Jefferson County. Incumbent GW “Bud” McCoig will face challenger Jeff Coffey for the Republican nod. Incumbent Jefferson County Court Clerk Frank Herndon will face Travis Adderhold for the republican nomination in May. Three candidates will seek the office of Trustee for Jefferson County following the retirement of the long time sitting Trustee Ginger Franklin. Jessica Chambers Elder, Jennifer Boling Hall, and Beau Tucker have all turned in qualifying petitions for the Trustee position and will be on the ballot in May.

Likewise, three candidates will be seeking the position of Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk, which has been held for several years by Penny Murphy. Murphy’s decision to not seek re-election has left the field open and candidates Kenneth Lodwick, Kevin Poe, and Kimberly Marshall White will be competing to be the republican representative for the position. Challenging for the position of Circuit Court Judge 4^th Judicial district Division 1 will be Lou Ann Hatcher Ballew and Carter S. Moore.

Unchallenged in the May primary are Jim Gass, Circuit Court Judge 4^th Judicial District Part III and Jefferson County Register of Deeds incumbent Ed Stiner.