Filing deadline ends for November General Election

The battle lines are now set for the upcoming November General Election after the filing deadline expired at 4 p.m. Tuesday for those running for school board.

The only school board that will see a contested race is the Williamsburg Independent Board of Education with three incumbents and one challenger vying for three seats.

Incumbents Gail Buck, Roger Faulkner, and John Jeffries all filed to run for re-election along with challenger Kim Williams.
In Whitley County, first-district board member Larry Lambdin and second-district board member Delmar Mahan filed to run for re-election, and are unopposed.

Normally, there would be elections for two seats on the Corbin Independent Board of Education this year, but because of Debbie Cook’s resignation, a third seat is also up for election. Lynne Huff was appointed to the position, and filed to run for the remainder of Cook’s term. She is the only candidate in that race.

Kimberly Croley and Lisa Smith Cleary also filed to run for re-election, and are unopposed.

Harold Prewitt, Charles Ohler and Jack Clark all filed to run for soil conservation district seats.

Other contested local races

There will be a few contested races on November’s ballot.

In a rematch from nearly two years ago, 34th Judicial District Division Two Judge Jason Price faces a challenge from Fred White, the man he beat for the job in November 2008.

The 34th Judicial District comprises both Whitley and McCreary counties.

In 2008, Price garnered 8,837 total votes to White’s 7,896 total votes in the two-county race.

Price carried both Whitley and McCreary counties in his election bid, but by substantially different margins.

Price garnered 6,191 votes in Whitley County to White’s 6,036.

Price had a much greater margin in McCreary County with 2,646 votes to White’s 1,860. The 2008 election was to fill out the remainder of Dan Ballou’s term as district judge after he was elected to the circuit court bench. Month’s earlier, White had been appointed to the position by Gov. Steve Beshear until the election was held and the results certified.

Les Moses defeated incumbent Jailer Ken Mobley in the May Republican Primary election, and will square off against Democrat Arnold Eugene Young on Nov. 2.

In the fourth-constable district, Republican Andy Moses will square off against Democrat Lonnie Rose.

In the third-magisterial district, Republican Jamie W. Fuson will take on former Magistrate Johnny Lawson. Fuson upset incumbent Joe Moses in the primary election.

City races

Incumbent Williamsburg City Council members Chet Riley, Richard Foley, Laurel Jeffries West, Mary Ann Stanfill, J.L. Hamblin, and Erica Harris face opposition from challengers Troy Sharp and Keith Brashear.

On the Corbin City Commission, incumbents Bruce Farris, Phil Gregory, Joe Shelton and Joe "Butch" White face challenges from former commissioner Ed Tye and write-in candidate Freddie Bruce Hodge. Farris suffered a stroke last year, and would likely be unable to serve if re-elected.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison and Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney are unopposed in their bids for re-election.

Other races

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers was unopposed in the Republican Primary and faces Democratic challenger James E. "Jim" Holbert in the general election.

In what may be the hottest race statewide, Republican Rand Paul faces off against Democratic Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway in the race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Jim Bunning.

Paul, a Tea Party favorite, soundly defeated Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the primary election. Conway narrowly defeated Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo in the Democratic Primary.

Unopposed races

The following incumbents are unopposed during the November General Election, barring someone filing to run as a write-in candidate: Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White Jr., Whitley County Attorney Paul Winchester, Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz, Coroner Andy Croley, Surveyor Bob Moses, PVA Ronnie Moses, Division One District Judge Cathy Prewitt, 16th State Senator David Williams, First-District Magistrate Roger Wells, Second District Magistrate David Myers, First District Constable Lonnie Foley, and Third District Constable Jim Thornton.

Colan Harrell defeated incumbent Sheriff Lawrence Hodge in five-way Republican Primary in May, and is unopposed in November.

Dewayne Bunch defeated incumbent 82nd District Rep. Charlie Siler in the May Republican Primary, and is unopposed in November.

Ron "Bubba" Bowling is unopposed for Second District Constable.

Robert "Robbie" Brown is unopposed for Fourth District Magistrate.

Candidates will draw for ballot positions at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Oct. 4 is the last day to register to vote.

Write-in candidates for all offices have until Oct. 22 to file.

Nov. 2 is Election Day.