The Final List of Candidates After the Deadline to File is Dominated by Republicans

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

As the deadline came and went the final tally of names thrown in the hat for Lawrence County came to 32 individuals.

According to the Kentucky Statute, if one candidate files for a party’s nomination in a race, that candidate automatically advances to the Nov. 3 general election and no primary is held for that office.

Candidates for Lawrence County Judge Executive are:

William Spradlin, Republican; Eddie Preston, Republican; Rick Blackburn, Republican; and Phillip L. Carter, Republican

Lawrence County Sheriff: Chuck T. Jackson, Republican; and Mark Wheeler, Republican

Lawrence County Attorney: Johnny W. Osborne, Republican

Lawrence County Clerk: Chris Jobe, Republican

Lawrence County Jailer: Roger Lee Jordan, Republican

Lawrence County Coroner: Melissa Moore, Democrat;

Jimmy Castle, Republican; and Sam Michael Muncy, Republican

Lawrence County Property Valuation Administrator:

Chris Rose, Republican

Lawrence County Surveyor: Cliff A. West, Republican

Magistrate, District 1: George F. Howell, Democrat;  Michael “Mouse” Halcomb, Republican; and Josh Trout, Republican

Magistrate, District 2: Jay M. Childers, Republican; George “Chicken” Wheeler, Republican; Allan Scaggs, Republican; and Rick Kelly, Republican

Magistrate, District 3: John “Tony” Lester, Democrat; Brian Jordan, Republican; and David Pinson, Republican

Magistrate, District 4: Dave York, Democrat;

Ron Boyer, Republican; Joseph P. Hardin, Republican; and Todd Moran, Republican

Constable, District 2: William Mynhier, Republican

Constable, District 3: Jeff McCarty, Republican

Constable, District 4: James “Woody” Thomas, Republican

In the race for Martin the list is also leaning with a majority of Republican candidates.

Martin County Judge Executive: Lon “Doc” Lafferty, of Inez, Republican.

Martin County Sheriff: John Herman Kirk, Republican; Kristopher Lang, Republican; Anthony J. “Tony” Preece, Republican; William Harvey “Bill” Preece III, Republican; and Austin Harless, Republican.

Martin County Attorney: Melissa Fannin Phelps, Republican

Martin County Clerk: Susie Skyles, Republican

Martin County Coroner: Chris Todd, Republican

Martin County Jailer: Nicholas “Nick” Marcum, Republican; Billy Lee Patrick, Republican; Buddy Stacy, Republican; Oscar “Ock” Jude, Republican; and Darrell Spence, Republican

Martin County Property Valuation Administrator: Bobby Eugene Hale Jr., Republican

Magistrate in District 1: Cody Slone, Republican; and Matthew Baisden, Republican

Magistrate District 2: Kermit Howell, Republican; Amanda J. Jude, Republican; and Jason “Booger” Jude,  Republican

Magistrate District 3: Chris Blackburn, Republican;

Craig Keagan Haney, Republican; Tracy Spence, Republican; and James Derrick Stepp, Republican

Magistrate District 4: Joseph Hunt Jr., Republican; and  Eric Jude, Republican

Magistrate District 5: Ronald Workman, Republican

District 1 Constable: Bobby Gene Maynard, Republican; and Homer “Pickle” Mills Jr., Republican

District 2 Constable: Ryan May, Republican; and Charles “Randy” Lafferty, Republican

District 3 Constable: Kody Thomas Rainwater, Republican

District 4 Constable: James Brad Preece, Republican; and

Charles Eddie Spear, Republican

District 5 Constable: Melvin Mitchell Bowen, Republican; and Granville Shaun Sweeney, Democrat

In Warfield, Michael Hinkle filed as a nonpartisan candidate for Mayor.

Johnson County Offices include mostly Republicans as well with some running opposed.

Johnson County Clerk: Sallee Conley Holbrook, Republican

Johnson County Property Valuation Administrator: Ray E. Davis, III, Republican; and Ross Conley Sanor, Republican

County Surveyor: Clarence Scarberry, Republican

Johnson County Sheriff: Scott Hazlette, Republican; Jeff Castle, Republican; Chadwick (Chad) Penix, Republican; and Tom Wyatt, Republican

Johnson County Jailer: Steve Rose Republican

Johnson County Coroner: William “Billy” Taylor, Republican; and Jeremy Hyden, Republican

Mayor City of Paintsville: Jeanette Kilgore Thornbury, (Nonpartisan); Andrew Kirk Preston, (Nonpartisan) and Kalen B. Spencer, (Nonpartisan)

Paintsville City Council: Nicholas Hazelett, nonpartisan; and Eva M.J. Holbrook, nonpartian

Johnson County Commissioner: Jessica Click, Republican, 1st District; and Larry Frisby Republican– 1st District; Nancy McKenzie Cantrell, Republican, 2nd District; Mike “Mikey” Jarrell, Republican, 2nd District; Clarence Daniel, Republican; and Larry Duty, Republican

Bryan S. Childers, Republican, 3rd District; Keith Patrick, Republican, 3rd District; and Noel Crum, Republican, 3rd District

Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk: Hillary Chafin, Republican

Johnson County Judge / Executive: Mark McKenzie, Republican; and Doug Saylor, Republican

Johnson County Attorney: Michael S. Endicott, Republican

Constables: Tim J. Branham, Republican, 1st District; Ricky Joe Keeton, Republican, 2nd District; and John W. Stapleton, Republican, 3rd District

School Board: Willard Burton, (Nonpartisan), 4th District; and Jennifer McCoart Wilson, (Nonpartisan), 2nd District

The following upcoming dates and information to remember are as follows:

Voters may begin requesting mail-in absentee ballots online Saturday, April 4, at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky. The portal will remain open through Tuesday, May 5. All mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk no later than 6 p.m. on Primary Election Day, May 19.

The U.S. Postal Service advises voters to mail completed ballots at least one week before Election Day, noting that a postmark may not reflect the date the Postal Service first takes possession of a piece of mail. Voters may request a manual postmark at their local post office free of charge.

Residents have until Monday, April 20, to register to vote in the May primary. Registration is available online at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky, in person at the county clerk’s office by the close of business or by mail if postmarked by that date.

“Excused” in-person absentee voting will be available May 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13 at the clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“No Excuse” early voting will be available May 14, 15 and 16 at the clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Primary Election Day is May 19, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The filing deadline for the Nov. 3 general election is Tuesday, June 2, for candidates not participating in the primary. Write-in candidates must file a declaration of intent later in the election cycle to get on the ballot.