With a little over a week to go, primary and general election battles have formed for public office in Jackson and Scott Counties. The deadline to file for office with the county clerk is noon next Friday, Feb. 4
A Republican Primary race developed for the 9th Congressional District. Three-term GOP congressman Trey Hollingsworth opted to not seek re-election. Bill J. Thomas and Erin Houchin have filed for the Republican nomination.
Matthew Fyfe is the Democrat candidate in the 9th congressional race.
Another Republican Primary battle has developed for State Representative in the new District 69 which now includes the townships of Brownstown, Driftwood, Grassy Fork, Hamilton, Jackson, Redding, Vernon and Washington in Jackson County and Finley, Jennings and Johnson Townships in Scott County. Incumbents Jim Lucas of Seymour and former Dist 73 Representative J. Davisson of Salem are seeking the GOP nomination. Davisson was appointed to fill the unexpired term of his late father Steve Davisson.
Jackson County
A Republican primary battle for Jackson County Sheriff will be contested as incumbent Sheriff Richard ‘Rick’ Meyer of Seymour will be facing a challenge in the May 3 primary from Shawn I. Minton of Seymour.
A Democrat primary battle will be contested in the new District 62 (which includes Owen, Pershing and Salt Creek Townships in Jackson County) with Monroe county Commissioner Penny Githens of Bloomington and Monroe County Sheriff Brad Swain of Springville vying for the nomination.
Jackson County Councilman Dave Hall of Norman is the lone Republican to file for the office.
In a GOP primary battle for House District 65 to be contested only in Carr Township in Jackson County pits incumbent Chris May and challenger John Lee, both of Bedford, for the nomination,.
Other Republicans who have filed for county office include former county clerk Amanda Lowery, who is serving as current county recorder, filed to run for county clerk.
Brownstown Township Trustee Jennifer Isaacs filed to run for Jackson County Recorder.
Incumbent County Assessor Katie Kaufman filed to run for another term.
Incumbent County Commissioner Matt Reedy filed to seek another term in office representing District 3.
Jacob T. Brown filed to run for the District 2 County Council seat and incumbent Brian H. Thompson filed to seek another term as the District 3 County Councilman.
Incumbent Jackson Superior Court 2 Judge Bruce MacTavish filed to seek another term on the bench.
Incumbent Prosecutor Jeffrey A. Chalfant filed to seek another term.
All township offices are up for election this year.
With Jennifer Isaacs running for County Recorder, a three way GOP primary battle to succeed her has developed. Daniel K. Banks, Nicki Hudson Downs and Melanie Pottschmidt have filed to run for Brownstown Township Trustee on the Republican ticket.
A Republican primary battle for Jackson Township Trustee is also in store for May as Jeff Joray and Curt Staley have filed for the office.
Owen Township Trustee Frank Fisher faces a primary challenge from Republican Dirk Smith.
Incumbent Steven Ingle filed to run for another tem as Carr Township Trustee.
Incumbent Charles E. Lowery filed to seek another term as Driftwood Township Trustee.
Republican Ronald J. Rieckers filed to run for Grassy Fork Township Trustee.
Sharon Yost has filed for re-election on the Republican ticket for Pershing Township Trustee.
Bob Brock has filed to seek the GOP nomination for Redding Township Trustee.
Democrat Scott Kovener filed to seek re-election as Vernon Township Trustee.
Democrat Sharon K. Reedy filed to seek re-election as the Washington Township trustee.
Conner J. Barnette, Helen Nolting and Chad A. Sommers filed to run for Brownstown Township Board on the Republican ticket.
George Berry and Teresa Brewer file to run as Republican on the Carr Township Board.
Democrat Gary Hackman and Republicans John Hartley and Matt Likens filed to run for the Driftwood Township Board.
Incumbent Republican Janette K. Elliott filed for re-election on the Grassy Fork Township Board.
Donald Schnitker filed for re-election as Hamilton Township board member.
Skylar Early filed to run on the Republican ticket for Jackson Township Board.
Jack E. Gilbert and Steve Ritter are seeking re-election to the Owen Township Board.
Incumbent Republicans Todd Brumfield, Doyle Lyon and Joseph R. McDermid filed to run for the Pershing Township Board.
Redding Township Republicans Sara Cunningham and Rocky Kaufman are seeking seats on the township board as is Democrat Mary Voss Burgmeier.
Judy Goforth is seeking a GOP seat on the Salt Creek Township Board and Larry Smallwood is running for that board on the Democrat ticket.
Roger Teipen filed to seek re-election to the Vernon Township Board and Lenvel ‘Butch’ Robinson filed to run for the board on the Democrat ticket.
Democrats Richard Darlage and Alan Pollert filed to run for the Washington Township Board.
Scott County
Incumbent County Commissioner John C. Lizenby filed to run for re-election representing District 3. He will face Republican Greg Prince in the fall.
Incumbent Democrat Sheriff Jerry D. Goodin filed for re-election for a second term. He will face a November challenge from Republican Matthew W. Busick.
More candidates filed to run for Scott County Council.
Jonathan L. White filed to run as a Republican for the District 1 County Council seat. John Miller Jr. is seeking the District 2 council seat for the GOP and James ‘J.R.” Ward is seeking the District 4 county seat.
Two Democrat have filed for run for county council: Raleigh Campbell Jr is seeking the District 1 council post and James D. Coomer is running for the District 4 council seat.
Democrat incumbent Scott Circuit Court Judge Jason M. Mount filed to seek another term on the bench and Democrat incumbent Scott Superior Court Judge Marsha Owens Howser filed to seek another term.
Democrat incumbent Chris A. Owens filed to seek another term as Scott County Prosecutor.
Republican incumbent Diana Cozart filed to seek another term as Scott County Assessor.
Teresa B. Vannarsdall filed to run for County Auditor on the Democrat ticket.
Republican Clyde ‘Chip’ Perfect filed to sun for State Senator from District 43.
Incumbent Republican Dist. 66 Rep. Zach Payne filed for another term as a Republican representative. District 66 now includes just Vienna and Lexington Townships in Scott County.
In filing for township offices:
Jeremy E. Arnold filed to run for Jennings Township Trustee on the Republican ticket and will face Democrat Steve Sadler in the fall.
Incumbent Democrat Danny Basham filed for re-election as Lexington Township Trustee
Republican incumbent Scott Zellers filed to seek re-election as Vienna Township Trustee.
Township Boards consist of three members.
Incumbent Democrat Mahala ‘Haley’ Baker filed to run for re-election. She is joined on the Democrat ticket by Iva Gasaway. Ronnie Howard filed to run for the Jennings Township Board as a Republican.
Lonnie Combs and Peggy Sue Toppe are running for the Johnson Township Board on the Democrat ticket.
Jim Cozart filed to seek the Finley Township Board as a Republican