The possibility of a rematch for the Scottsburg and Austin mayors’ races became clearer when the noon deadline to file for office passed last Friday.
Incumbent Democrat Mayor of Scottsburg Terry Amick will face a 2018 re-match in November with Republican challenger and former long-time mayor Bill Graham.
Incumbent Democrat mayor Roger Hawkins is facing a primary challenge from two Democrat rivals. John Ashby and Frank Noble filed to be the Democratic nominee to lead Austin.
If Hawkins is successful in the May 2 Primary, he would face a rematch with Republican Jonathan Lee White. The first of this year White was sworn-in as a Scott County Councilman. Less than two weeks after taking office, White filed to run as the Republican nominee for Mayor of Austin.
Another Democrat primary battle surfaced for the Austin City Council at-Large seat. Incumbents Trevor McIntosh and Brandon Glen White each filed to seek re-election but they will face a challenge by Democrat Tony Stidham for the two at-Large council seats.
District 1 councilman Jimmy D. Turner and District 2 councilman Joe Smith, both incumbent Democrats, have no primary opposition and neither does Staci Mullins, a Democrat who filed for the District 3 council seat.
Republicans Ryan Gabbard (Dist. 1), Norma G. Morris (Dist. 2), and James Shelton (Dist. 3) have no primary opposition for the Austin City Council.
Republican Bill Hill filed to run for one of the two at-Large Austin Council seat.
Incumbent Democrat Chris Fugate will face a challenge in November from Republican Lonnie Noble Sr. for the clerk-treasurer’s post.
In Scottsburg, incumbent Democrat Jan Hardy was the lone filer for the clerk-treasurer’s position.
There was some shuffling of Scottsburg City Council candidates.
Incumbent Republican Christian Evans, representing District 3, opted to file to run for the Scottsburg Council at-Large seat.
Incumbent District 1 Republican Chris Albertson will face a GOP challenge in May for re-election from Timothy Hall.
Incumbent District 2 Councilman Bill Hoagland, who is serving as a Democrat, filed to run for re-election as a Republican. He faces no primary opposition.
Two Republicans are seeking the District 3 council seat: Larry Haven and Monty Stutsman.
Kevin S. Smallwood filed to run as a Republican representing District 4.
Democrats did not field candidates for the Scottsburg at-Large or District 1 council seat.
Three Democrat new-comers will seek the remaining district seats. Richard Cozart filed to run in District 2, Mark Nicholson will seek the District 3 seat and Eric Lowery filed to run for the District 4 city council seat.
Party leaders have until Monday, July 3, to appoint candidates to fill vacant candidacy spots.
In Jackson County, Crothersville, Brownstown and Medora do not have primary races for
their town councils. Because their population is each under 3,500, by law those communities have town conventions to select candidates.
Residents in those towns wanting to run to town council have until noon on Tuesday, Aug. 1, to file their candidacy with the county clerk. The communities have until Aug. 21 to hold their respective town conventions to elect candidates for the November Municipal Election.