Few local contested races on Tuesday’s election ballot
By TONY FYFFE
BSN Editor
Local contested races are few and far between in Lawrence, Johnson and Martin counties as most candidates running for county offices are unopposed on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Not counting federal, city and judicial races, next Tuesday’s general-election ballot includes only two contested races each in Lawrence and Martin counties, and one in Johnson County.
In Lawrence County, Republican incumbent Phillip Carter faces Democrat William Spradlin for county judge-executive, while Republican incumbent Michael “Mouse” Halcomb takes on Democrat Terry Webb for District 1 magistrate.
Technically, only one county race is contested on the Martin County ballot, but with the recent withdrawal and resignation of Judge-Executive Colby Kirk, four write-in candidates whose names are not listed on voting machines are seeking to become the county’s next top official.
The candidates in the jailer’s race are Republican Bill Preece and Democrat Jason Jude, while former Judge-Executive Lon Lafferty; Marlena Slone, wife of the late Judge Victor Slone; Jimmy Don Kerr; and Benjamin York are the write-in candidates for the county’s top office.
The only contested county race on the Johnson County ballot is for District 2 constable in which Democratic incumbent Bruce Ritz faces Republican Ronnie Butcher.
Non-partisan city races make up for the lack of county candidates in next Tuesday’s election, with mayors in Louisa, Paintsville and Inez facing challenges.
Louisa Mayor Harold Slone takes on James Allen Pauley-Barker and William Marcum, while eight candidates are running for the six seats on the city council, including incumbents Tom Parsons, Lisa Schaefer, Ashley Caudill, Joey McClanahan, Matt Brown and Gary Robertson along with Rose Lester and Caleb Fraley.
In Paintsville, Mayor Bill Mike Runyon also faces two opponents: city council member Rick Preston and Ann Ratliff.
Eight candidates are running for the six seats on the city council: incumbents David VanHoose, Roger “Bo” Belcher and Tim Hall along with Johnny Lee Goble, Eva Michelle Holbrook, Ashley McKenzie, Mike Conley and Kimberly Osborne-O’Bryan.
In Martin County, Inez Mayor Ed Daniels faces a challenge from City Commissioner Dennis Hall, while four candidates are seeking the four seats on the Inez City Commission: incumbent Terry Fraley, Floyd David Jude, Roy M. Penix and Barry Horn.
In Warfield, Michael D. Hinkle is unopposed for mayor, while four candidates are running for the four city commission seats: incumbents Crystal Bell, John P. Sammons and Robert David Bell along with Robert Bell.
Another local contested race on the ballot in Johnson, Lawrence and Martin counties is for judge of the 24th Judicial Circuit, where former District Judge Kevin Holbrook faces Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Runyon. The winner will replace retiring Judge John David Preston.
Also on Tuesday’s ballot is the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Rand Paul and Democrat Charles Booker and the U.S. Representative contest between Republican incumbent Hal Rogers and Democrat Conor Halbleib.