Several primary races are shaping up for the May election.
Since late December, and as of Monday morning, eight additional candidates have stepped into the political arena, in some cases setting up primary races and in others offering competition for the general election in the fall.
Kevin Anderson, a Democrat, will face off against Owen County Judge-Executive Billy O’Banion in the county judge’s race in May.
Thomas Byrd Lawhon Jr., a Republican, has filed for Property Valuation Administrator. He will face Troy M. Bramblett in a Republican primary. Joyce S. Duvall and Melissa Kemper, both Democrats, will square off in a primary for that party’s seat for the office.
Richard Dale “Rick” Poe Sr., a Republican, has filed for the county sheriff’s seat. Poe currently serves as a constable. Unless additional candidates file against Poe or current sheriff Zemer Hammond, the two will square off in the general election in November for the sheriff’s seat.
Incumbent Bobby Gaines, a Democrat, has filed against Stuart Bowling in the District #2 Magistrate’s race.
Several primary races are shaping up for the May election.
Since late December, and as of Monday morning, eight additional candidates have stepped into the political arena, in some cases setting up primary races and in others offering competition for the general election in the fall.
Kevin Anderson, a Democrat, will face off against Owen County Judge-Executive Billy O’Banion in the county judge’s race in May.
Thomas Byrd Lawhon Jr., a Republican, has filed for Property Valuation Administrator. He will face Troy M. Bramblett in a Republican primary. Joyce S. Duvall and Melissa Kemper, both Democrats, will square off in a primary for that party’s seat for the office.
Richard Dale “Rick” Poe Sr., a Republican, has filed for the county sheriff’s seat. Poe currently serves as a constable. Unless additional candidates file against Poe or current sheriff Zemer Hammond, the two will square off in the general election in November for the sheriff’s seat.
Incumbent Bobby Gaines, a Democrat, has filed against Stuart Bowling in the District #2 Magistrate’s race.
And in the District #4 Magistrate’s race, Eric D. Goodrich, a Democrat, has filed against incumbent Carl Banks, also a Democrat.
Unopposed candidates who have filed in the last few weeks include Lannis R. Garnett, the incumbent in the coroner’s race; and Charles E. Carter, the incumbent county attorney. Both Garnett and Carter are Democrats.
Since Nov. 10, 22 candidates have filed their intention to seek an office.
There are 50 seats up for re-election. They include: judge-executive, county clerk, county attorney, sheriff, property valuation administrator, circuit clerk, magistrates, coroner, jailer, circuit judge, district judges (2), land surveyor, soil conservation, constables, district 2, District #2 and District #5 school board, city councils and city commissions in Owenton, Monterey, Gratz and Sparta, and mayors in those cities as well.
Owenton’s city council has six seats as does Monterey’s city council. Sparta and Gratz have four seats each on the city commissions.
The 61st representative seat will also come back up for grabs. Rep. Royce Adams holds the representative seat.
The last day to file to run in the election is Jan. 31, for those running for partisan positions. Those who run for non-partisan seats such as mayor, city council or city commissioner or school board have until Aug. 8.
In a change for the coming election cycle is a new way of handling independent candidates. Those who plan to file for a race have until Aug. 8 to do so, but they must also file a statement that they are intending to run no later than April 3.

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