Deluge of candidates file for office Tuesday

The first working day of the New Year saw 14 people filing to run for elected offices in Whitley County, including 11 non-incumbents seeking offices ranging from jailer to magistrate and constable.
Incumbent Sheriff Lawrence Hodge filed Tuesday seeking re-election as did Coroner Jerry Andrew Croley and County Surveyor Robert R. Moses. All are Republicans.
Les Moses filed to run for jailer joining Fourth-District Constable Will Leach Fourth-District Magistrate Wayne Wilson, Larry R. Patrick, who finished second to Wilson in the race for magistrate three years ago, and James Privett as candidates seeking the Republican nomination to become Whitley County Jailer.
Not everyone in the fourth magisterial district is seeking to become jailer despite some indications to that effect.
Tuesday, Edward Petrey of Williamsburg filed seeking the Republican nomination for Fourth-District Magistrate, joining Ron Hensley, who filed Dec. 28, and Don E. Wilson, who filed Dec. 27.
In the first magisterial district, Doug Rains and Roger Wells, both of Williamsburg, filed for office Tuesday joining Roy L. Croley, who filed Nov. 10, seeking the Republican nomination. Nolan Bird currently serves as first district magistrate, and hasn’t filed yet.
John W. Hash of Corbin filed Tuesday seeking the First District Magistrate position as a Republican, and will square off against Ron Woody of Corbin, who filed Dec. 9. Former First District Magistrate Burley Foley took over a judge-executive on Jan. 1. Corbin businessman James David Myers replaced Foley as magistrate, but he hasn’t filed for office so far.
In the Third District Magistrate race, former magistrate J.L. Cooper filed Dec. 29 seeking the Republican nomination, and he was joined Tuesday by Joe Moses and George Davis, both of Williamsburg. Incumbent Third District Magistrate Johnny Lawson, a Democrat, has not filed yet.
Tuesday also saw three people filing seeking the Third District Constable position. Jack Hayes, Ted Leach, and Jim Thornton all of Williamsburg, filed seeking the Republican nomination.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble recently filed seeking re-election to his office, and is unopposed so far.
Division One Circuit Judge Jerry Winchester and Division Two Circuit Judge Paul Braden have already filed papers with the secretary of state’s office to seek re-election, as has Division Two District Judge Dan Ballou. Both judicial races are non-partisan.
Former Circuit Judge and County Attorney Emby McKeehan picked up papers Tuesday morning at the county clerk’s office, and said he plans to run for division two circuit judge against Braden.
Mike Campbell and Leroy Gilbert have filed to run for the Republican nomination for judge-executive. Foley said he plans to file this month.
Bob Devore Jr. of Strunk filed papers recently to run for the Republican nomination for the 16th Senate District, which represents Whitley County among others. So far incumbent David Williams, a Burksville native who is currently president of the Kentucky senate, hasn’t filed to run for re-election.
A handful of incumbents have also filed seeking re-election to county offices next year including: 82nd District Representative Charlie Siler, Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton, and County Attorney Paul Winchester.
Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison filed Dec. 27 seeking re-election, and is unchallenged so far.
Incumbent Williamsburg City Council member Chet Riley filed Dec. 20 seeking re-election. Riley is the only candidate to file for Williamsburg City Council so far.
Bruce Farris, Phil Gregory, and Edward H. Tye have all filed to run for Corbin City Commission. Willard McBurney is seeking to become Corbin mayor, and filed Nov. 22.