Local candidates file for 2022 election

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

Dozens of candidates have already filed for various local offices on the ballot next year in Lawrence, Johnson and Martin counties.

Filing opened last Wednesday, Nov. 3, for candidates for various offices on the 2022 ballot, including judge-executive, sheriff and county clerk, and ends on Jan. 7, 2022.

Several candidates filed in Lawrence County, including Republican incumbents Phillip L. Carter for judge-executive, Chuck Jackson for sheriff, Chris Jobe for county clerk, Michael (Mouse) Halcomb for District 1 magistrate, John Scaggs for District 2 magistrate, David Pinson for District 3 magistrate and Rick Blackburn for District 4 magistrate.

Also filing were Brad Derifield for county attorney, Will Skaggs for coroner and Marcus Bowen for District 2 constable. All are Republicans.

Johnson County candidates include incumbent Mark McKenzie and Lyndon Butcher for judge-executive, incumbent Doug Saylor and Scott Hazlette for sheriff, incumbent Sallee Conley Holbrook for county clerk, incumbent Michael Endicott for county attorney, incumbent Steve Rose for jailer, incumbent J.R. Frisby for coroner, incumbent Michael “Dip” Stafford for PVA, Zack Branham for District 1 commissioner, incumbent Mike “Mikey” Jarrell for District 2 commissioner, incumbent Tim “Barber Tim” Salyer and Bryan S. Childers for District 3 commissioner, and incumbents James “Red Eye” Castle for District 1 constable and Bruce Ritz for District 2 constable.

In city races in Paintsville, candidates so far are incumbents Bill Mike Runyon for mayor and Roger “Bo” Belcher for city council.

Also filing was incumbent Willard Burton for county school board member in District 4.

Incumbents were among the early candidates in Martin County, including County Clerk Suzie Skyles, County Attorney Melissa Fannin Phelps, Coroner Chris Todd, District 4 Magistrate Junior Hunt and District 4 Constable Bradford Preece.

Also filing in Martin County were Gregory Spears for sheriff; Buddy Stacy, Paul McCoy, Bill Preece and Josh Hunt for jailer; Bobby Jean Maynard for District 1 constable; and Melvin Mitchel Bowen and Zack Spear for District 5 constable.

Candidates for non-partisan judicial seats include David Matt Runyon for judge in the 24th Judicial Circuit, Adam Scott O’Bryan for family court judge in the 24th Judicial Circuit and incumbent David Brett Butcher for judge for the 24th Judicial District. The 24th Circuit and District includes Johnson, Lawrence and Martin counties.