Ronica Shannon
Names of both incumbents and new candidates are beginning to surface at the Madison County Clerk’s office since the candidate filing window for the 2010 election opened on Nov. 4.
All elective offices in Madison County government, as well as Berea and Richmond, will be on the ballot next year. The county also will be voting for state representatives and state senator.
The retirement of 4th District Magistrate William Tudor has generated early interest with two candidates already in the race.
Madison County Jailer Ron Devere has said he will not seek re-election, and one candidate already has filed to succeed him.
Those seeking to run in the May 18 primary have until Jan. 26 to file.
As of 1 p.m. Friday, the following had filed for candidacy in local races:
• County Attorney, T. Marcum “Marc” Robbins
• County Clerk, Francette Durbin
• Jailer, Doug Thomas
• Magistrate, 1st District, Larry L. Combs
• Magistrate, 2nd District, Wayne S. Long
• Magistrate, 3rd District, Robert E. Murphy, John C. Tudor
• Magistrate, 4th District, Bruce B. Begley, Jack Marcum
• Property Valuation Administrator, Billy Ackerman
• Constable, 3rd District, Bruce Thomas
• Constable, 4th District, John Wright
County officials are elected in partisan races, and all of the candidates above will be in the Democratic primary.
Several incumbents have not filed for re-election but have voiced plans to seek another term. They include:
• Madison Judge/Executive Kent Clark, Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell, 2nd District Magistrate Roger Barger and 3rd District Magistrate Harold Botner. All are Democrats except Barger.
• Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson and City Commissioners Robert Blythe, Mike Brewer and Bill Strong.
Richmond City Commissioner Rita Smart and Madison County Clerk Billy Gabbard could not be reached Friday.
This preview story marks the beginning of the Richmond Register’s 2010 election coverage, which will be an occasional series until the general election.
There also will be series coverage of the Berea mayoral and city council, school board, judicial and legislative races.
Filings made for Madison County elections can be tracked via the county clerk’s voter registration office or by visiting the Kentucky Secretary of State Web site at www.sos.ky.gov/elections. The Web site is updated periodically, but not on a daily basis.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
